The Australian Health Care System

Who is covered?

Australia achieves universal coverage through Medicare, a tax-funded public insurance program that covers most medical care, including physician and hospital services and prescription drugs.  Most health services are financed and regulated by the federal government, although the states and territories have responsibility for public hospital care.  Besides Medicare, roughly half of Australians receive additional coverage through private insurance, which the government subsidizes and which covers such services as dental care and private hospitals.