This updated guide provides an overview of Australia’s complex health system: what governments do, the role of private health insurance, how much we spend on health care, how Australian health outcomes compare internationally, the health care workforce and links to further information and resources.

Australia could save $1.5 billion a year on health spending by improving the safety of patient care in hospitals. Safer hospital care doesn’t just reduce harm to patients, it also saves money for taxpayers.

Replying to a suggestion that voters might prefer higher hospital and education funding over tax cuts, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claimed the Government was spending "record amounts" on hospitals and health.

Over 63,500 courses of radiotherapy were delivered in Australia during 2016–17. 50% of all radiotherapy patients started treatment within nine days.

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