What services does the Australian Health System provide?

You use the Australian Health System every time you:

• visit a general practitioner (GP)
• visit a medical specialist
• visit a dentist
• see a physiotherapist
• pick up a prescription from a pharmacist
• are admitted to hospital in an emergency or for surgery
• receive a vaccination.

Types of service run by the Australian Health System

The Australian Health System runs 4 types of service to meet your health needs.

1. Health promotion and protection 

Health promotion and protection focuses on improving your health and preventing the causes of illness, including:

• immunisation and vaccination
• healthy lifestyle programs
• cancer screening.

2. Primary healthcare 

Primary healthcare is usually your first contact with the health system, including:

• visiting a general practitioner (GP) or nurse practitioner
• visiting an allied health professional
• collecting medicines
• community health.

3. Specialist healthcare 

Specialist care helps you if you have a specific or complex condition, including:

• specialist mental health services
• cancer treatment
• specialist alcohol and other drug treatment services
• palliative care
• clinical assessment for surgery
• pathology
• imaging.

4. Hospitals

Hospitals treat 2 types of patient:

• admitted patients
• non-admitted patients (emergency departments and outpatient clinics).