Record GP bulk billing rates under Medicare reached 87.5 per cent in 2019–20. This means that on average, more than 8 out of 10 visits to the GP were provided with no out-of-pocket cost. In total, Medicare services increased to 428.3 million with total benefits reaching $24.7 billion. To ensure Australians have access to the…
The Australian Government will provide an additional $563.3 million to extend support for the aged care sector’s response to COVID-19, announced in March and subsequently as part of the Aged Care response plan. This takes our Government’s support to senior Australians in Aged Care to over $1.5 billion since the pandemic began. We are committed…
A key new cancer treatment has just become more accessible for Australians fighting specific forms of leukaemia and lymphoma, thanks to the Morrison Government’s listing of Calquence® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). On September 1, Calquence® (acalabrutinib) will be listed on the PBS for the first time for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia…
GPs and other health professionals in four regions will receive greater support to enable them to provide more effective care to people with intellectual disability. The Morrison Government will provide a total of $5.75 million to four Primary Health Networks to lead development of the Primary Care Enhancement Program for people with intellectual disability.…
New modelling confirms the vital importance of continuing support and resources provided to remote communities to protect them from COVID-19. Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islander people experience a burden of disease 2.3 times the rate of other Australians, which increases their risk of severe illness from the virus. While no cases of the coronavirus…
The Australian Government is providing $25 million for our best and brightest health and medical researchers to find breakthroughs in preventing and treating COVID-19. Research is a key weapon in the fight against COVID-19 – and this funding will help to ensure that Australian researchers are on the frontline of the fight. The Government will…
Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, if it proves successful, through an agreement between the Australian Government and UK-based drug company AstraZeneca. Under the deal, every single Australian will be able to receive the University of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for free, should trials prove successful, safe and effective.…
The Australian Government’s latest COVID-19 ad, launched today, delivers a blunt wake-up call to young people, that their actions can put the lives of their loved ones at risk. The ‘How the virus spreads’ advertisement features a young man whose mother is in intensive care with COVID-19 after catching the virus from him. He…
Australia’s childhood immunisation rates have risen to record levels, with coverage for all five year olds now at 94.77 per cent. Immunisation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have increased even more. All six categories made positive gains, with coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at five years 96.90…
Today is Red Nose Day, a day to remember loss and to spread the message to future mothers that the risk of stillbirth and neonatal death can be reduced. While there has been a reduction in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in Australia, almost 3,000 young babies still die suddenly and unexpectedly each year.…