Image: a beneficiary of Australia’s world-class health system.

Introduction

One of the great social policy achievements of Australian governments was to establish a health system that is able to deliver world best health outcomes at relatively modest cost to almost all Australians. According to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Australian life expectancy is the 6th highest in the OECD at 82 years at birth in 2014. This cost Australians the relatively modest amount of 9.1% of GDP (21st highest in the OECD), which compares favourably to the OECD average of 9.3% in 2012. As impressive as this success is, is it financially sustainable? Can Australia continue to achieve these impressive health outcomes for a relatively modest amount? Or will Australia’s demographics and emerging health challenges force Australians to spend more of their tax and income on the health system?

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