The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is crucial to the health of Australian citizens. However, despite its strengths, the PBS is not keeping pace with global medical innovation. As a result, Australian patients are missing out on access to innovative medicines. This report presents a challenging picture and reinforces an urgent need to act.

In Australia, governments give hospitals a set amount of funding for each service provided to a patient, regardless of patient outcomes. This paper asks whether reducing payments to a hospital when a patient develops certain complications can lower the risk of complications occurring. Initial findings suggest financial mechanisms could be effective in lifting the quality...

Winter 2025 was one of the toughest for Western Australia’s health system. Learning from this experience, this strategy sets out how WA Health is preparing for higher demand on health services during winter. It explains what WA health is doing to ensure people get the care they need, in the safest and most appropriate setting.

The second interim evaluation report of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics pilot program, based on program implementation from June 2023 to September 2025. This evaluation addresses the nine Measures of Success that were agreed by the Australian, and state and territory governments. Findings and improvement opportunities have been provided for each of the nine measures.

A fundamental transformation in the way health data is managed is needed if Australia is to meet the health challenges of an ageing population, changing disease patterns and increasingly complex health conditions. This report highlights the dangers in Australia’s isolated and incompatible digital health systems, which lead to delays in patient care and poorer health...