1.1 Primary health care in Australia,
implications for the future and
health priority areas
Australia’s current health system is complex, rapidly changing
and under pressure. As a result, a national approach to primary
health care policy and a practical strategy to create a more
robust primary health care system is needed.1
Rising demand for health services and health costs reflect an
ageing population, higher levels of chronic illness, changing
patterns of disease, increasing medical technology, rising
community expectations and the need for more proactive care.
The interface between the primary and tertiary health care sectors is also a contributing factor. Cost and workforce
pressures in the tertiary system impact on the capacity and
responsiveness of the primary health care system.
The Australian Government has introduced a range of strategies
to strengthen primary care.
The Australian Health Ministers’ National Chronic Disease Strategy 2005 contains a strong primary health care focus and
recognises the need for nationally agreed, coordinated action to
respond to the growing impact of chronic disease.
The need for systemic reform of Australian health care has
been acknowledged at many policy levels, including by the
Productivity Commission inquiry into the health workforce
conducted in 2006 on behalf of the Council of Australian
Governments, policy initiatives by state governments, and
renewed calls from experts and stakeholders for a focus on
prevention, early detection and intervention.
The Australian Government’s Response to the 2003 Review
of the Division Network set out the following priorities for
strengthening primary health care:
• making care more accessible
• focusing on prevention and early intervention
• encouraging better chronic disease management
• supporting integration and multidisciplinary care
• building the evidence base for effective, quality primary
health care
• using technology to support best practice
• recognising and respecting the variety of practice styles.
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