Australian Health System

Yes. Health insurance policies, premiums and insurer promotions are regulated by the government. Read about how the government regulates private health insurers. 

About making a complaint If you have a concern about a medical practitioner or other healthcare professional, you can make a complaint. You can make a complaint about: Be clear about what you would like to happen: In Australia, the best organisation to contact to make a complaint depends on where you live. This is...

When you are being treated in the Australian Health System, you have rights. Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed an Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights that outlines your rights as a patient. The Charter applies to everyone, wherever they receive healthcare in Australia, including:...

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is the organisation responsible for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia. It works with the 15 National Boards to regulate Australia’s registered health practitioners and protect the public. It ensures the community can rely on a safe health workforce registered under the National Registration and Accreditation...

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) regulates 16 health professions, including doctors. It registers all regulated health professionals, including medical practitioners, against consistent, high-quality, national professional standards. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) supports 15 National Boards to run the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). The NRAS objectives are to: The National...

About allied health professionals Allied health professionals are health professionals that are not: They work with you to identify and assess your health concerns. They also provide treatment and help your recovery. More specifically, they can help you take care of both your physical and mental health with these types of services: They are university...

A registered nurse (RN) looks after people of all ages in a wide range of settings. They promote health, prevent illness and care for ill, disabled and dying people. An RN works with patients and clients in a: They play a crucial role in a healthcare team. They can assess people with acute, chronic and...

In Australia, medical practitioners are organised into specialist medical colleges. These are member-based training organisations that cover a particular specialty. The colleges have official status and a licence to uphold medical standards in their areas of medicine. The colleges are responsible for: To practise as a medical specialist, you must be a member of one...