Department of Health (Australia)

The department designs, develops, implements and oversees policy and programs for health, aged care and sport.

 

What do they do:

• They are the Australian Government’s main adviser on:
  - health
  - aged care
  - sport
• They design, develop, implement and oversee policy and programs in these three areas.
• They work with a wide range of stakeholders and use the best evidence from experts inside and outside the department, and research and data analytics.
• They deliver programs that work for you, your family and the community.
• They aim for the highest standards so that you get quality, safe care.

 

Priorities

• Better health and ageing outcomes for all Australians by:
  - ensuring your doctor, other health providers, hospital and community-based services are connected and working together to deliver your care
  - helping you to be more involved in your own health and health care
  - helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to get better access to health and aged care services.
• An affordable and quality health and aged care system by:
  - working with a range of stakeholders to deliver programs
  - improving the quality and reducing the cost of care through research, innovation and technology
  - protecting our community by checking and regulating the safety and quality of medicines, devices and treatments.
• Better sport outcomes through:
  - encouraging all Australians to play sport
  - supporting our elite athletes on the world stage
  - keeping sport ‘clean’.