Further Links Contact Us Search Help

Syllabus | Exams | Resources | Links | Bulletin board | FAQ

PDHPE

Home > PDHPE > Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australia > What roles do health care facilities and services play in achieving health for all Australians? > Role of health care facilities and services

The role of the health care system in Australia is to provide facilities and services that meet the needs of all Australians. Facilities and services may be either government owned, funded and delivered, or alternatively provided by private practitioners and organisations on a fee-for-service based system.

Traditionally, Australia’s health care system has been predominantly based around diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation and only a very small proportion of funding has gone to health prevention and promotion campaigns. In recent times, there has been a shift towards the new public health approach which recognises health promotion as an essential element in enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It also promotes an intersectoral approach where government and non-governmental organisations (public and private sectors) work together at all levels to improve the provision of health care.

When examining the nature of health care services in Australia, it is important to understand that not all population groups have the same levels of access to health services.

Student activity

Investigate the types of health care facilities and services that are available in your local area. The NSW Health website provides a search facility that lists health services available in your local area. Click on your local health service and then your specific location (town/suburb) on the maps and you will be provided with a list of government health services available in your local area. The Reach Out! Website also provides a search facility that uses town name or postcode to locate services available in your local area. Go to the box that is labelled help near you to begin the search. List all of the health care facilities and services that are available in your local area. Evaluate how equitable the access to health services is for individuals from the following population groups: Adolescents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Aged Non-English speaking background Unemployed and/or homeless Disabled. When completing your analysis, consider factors such as affordability, transport, confidentiality, health knowledge, and previous experiences which may influence an individual’s use of services. Compare the accessibility of health services in your local area to the accessibility to services in: inner Sydney remote northern NSW coastal townships outer suburbs of greater Sydney. Check your answers