Outcome Structure

Portfolio Structure

In 2005-06, the Health and Ageing portfolio comprised of the Department and 11 portfolio agencies. The portfolio worked within a 19 outcome structure, 12 of which were specific to the Department. These are discussed in the following section. The remaining seven were specific to the agencies that received direct funding from the Australian Government.

A full description of portfolio agencies’ outcomes, functions and key achievements for 2005-06 can be found at Appendix 9 - Portfolio Governance.

Outcome and Output Structure

Department-Specific Outcomes

In 2005-06, the Department’s activities, resourcing and performance reporting were organised under the following 12 department-specific outcomes in the Health and Ageing outcome structure. The outcomes reflect the Australian Government’s desired results or impacts on the community.

Outcome	Division Responsible
Outcome 1. Population Health The incidence of preventable mortality, illness and injury in Australians is minimised.	Population Health Division Therapeutic Goods Administration group of regulators Business Group
Outcome 2. Medicines and Medical Services Australians have access through Medicare to cost-effective medicines and medical services.	Medical and Pharmaceutical Services Division
Outcome 3. Aged Care and Population Ageing Older Australians enjoy independence, good health and well-being. High quality, cost-effective care is accessible to frail older people, and their carers are supported.	Ageing and Aged Care Division
Outcome 4. Primary Care Australians have access to high quality, well-integrated and cost-effective primary care.	Primary Care Division
Outcome 5. Rural Health Improved health outcomes for Australians living in regional, rural and remote locations.	Health Services Improvement Division
Outcome 6. Hearing Services Australians have access through the Hearing Services Program to hearing services and devices.	Medical and Pharmaceutical Servies Division
Outcome 7. Indigenous Health Improved access by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to effective primary health care and substance use servies and population health programs.	Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Outcome 8. Private Health A viable private health industry to improve the choice of health services for Australians.	Acute Care Division
Outcome 9. Health System Capacity and Quality The capacity and quality of the health care system meet the needs of Australians.	Health Services Improvement Division Portfolio Strategies Division
Outcome 10. Acute Care Australians have access to public hospitals, related hospital care, diagnostic servies and medical services underpinned by appropriate medical indemnity arrangements.	Acute Care Division
Outcome 11. Health and Medical Research Australia's health system benefits from high quality health and medical research conducted at the highest ethical standard, well-developed research capabilities and sound evidence-based advice that informs health policy and practice.	National Health and Medical Research Council
Outcome 12. Biosecurity and Emergency Response Australia's health system has coordinated arrangements to respond effectively to national health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks, terrorism and natural disasters.	Office of Health Protection Business Group

The Department revised its outcome structure in 2005-06, as part of the 2006-07 Budget process, to better reflect the Australian Government’s priorities for health and ageing. Changes included new outcomes for mental health and health workforce. Separate outcomes for pharmaceutical services and medical services were also created. The revised 15 outcome structure can be found in the 2006-07 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements.

Departmental Outputs

The Department described its core activities in 2005-06 in terms of the following three output groups:

• Output Group 1 - Policy Advice: includes the provision of policy advice and ministerial services to the Ministers, Parliamentary Secretary and Parliament;
• Output Group 2 - Program Management: includes the development and management of contracts and grants for administered funds and the payment of administered funds. This output group also includes the administration of legislation; and the provision of information to stakeholders on departmental programs; and
• Output Group 3 - Agency-specific Service Delivery: includes reporting of direct delivery of services to the community. The Department’s activities under this output group are conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration group of regulators in relation to therapeutic goods, genetically modified organisms and industrial chemicals, pesticides and veterinary medicines.

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