This report examines Australia’s health system spending in response to the COVID–19 pandemic from 2019–20 to 2022–23. It covers funding by the Australian Government, state and territory governments and individuals. It looks at spending by broad area: primary health care, hospitals, referred medical services, aged care services and other health services as well as detailed areas of expenditure within these broad areas. This report also compares Australia’s additional health expenditure and excess mortality during COVID–19 to other countries.
- Cat. no: HWE 104
Key findings
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Total estimated health spending on the response to COVID–19 was $55.9 billion (2019–20 to 2022–23)
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Governments spent $30.4 billion on primary health care, of which $9.4 billion related to COVID–19 vaccination
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Individuals spent an estimated $1.1 billion on COVID–19 related health goods and services
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Australia had the 5th lowest excess mortality rate during 2020–2023 compared to other OECD countries