Summary
The report covers funding by government and non–government sources, in key areas of expenditure: primary health care, hospitals, referred medical services, aged care and other (patient transport, administration, health research, education of health professionals and capital expenditure).
Key facts:
- Over the period 2019–20 to 2022–23, total estimated health spending on the response to COVID–19 in Australia was $55.9 billion.
- Governments spent an estimated $54.8 billion on the health response to COVID–19 during 2019–20 to 2022–23, the Australian Government contributed $42.0 billion (77%) and state and territory government $12.7 billion (23%).
- Individuals spent an estimated $1.1 billion on COVID–19 related health goods and services such as, rapid antigen tests, personal protective equipment, and sanitiser.
- The main areas of government expenditure were primary care ($30.4 billion), including spending related to COVID–19 vaccination ($9.4 billion), and public hospitals ($14.1 billion).
- Australia ranked fourth lowest out of 36 OECD countries in terms of additional health spending (expenditure above pre-COVID trends) from 2020 to 2023.
- Australia’s total excess mortality rate during 2020–2023 was 4.9%, which was the fifth lowest outcome amongst 33 OECD countries.