Health Ministers’ Meeting (HMM)

Role

The HMM provides leadership and facilitates joint decision making on health issues of national importance.

Through the HMM, health ministers:

• consider legal and regulatory health matters covered under national law and provide governance on issues agreed to in national agreements
• oversee work administered by ministerial authorities on behalf of government
• deliver national health improvement strategies outlined in annual work plans
• progress matters as delegated by National Cabinet.

The 2026 HMM priorities are as follows: 

• Whole of system reform: Health Ministers will collaborate to advance and implement long-term, system-wide reforms.
• Health workforce reform: Health Ministers will continue to enhance systems to ensure healthcare professionals operate at their full scope of practice, while upholding high standards of quality and patient safety.
• Increase health system performance, integration and innovation: Health Ministers will progress reform which aims to improve access to, and patient experience of care for all Australians.
• National health response reforms: Health Ministers will continue to monitor and oversee health system inputs and public health interventions to improve public health outcomes nationally.

Ministers can also delegate some functions to the Health Chief Executives Forum (HCEF).

The former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council (CHC)

As recommended by the Conran Review, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and Ministerial Forums were restructured as part of the new National Cabinet. The former COAG Health Council (CHC) is now the HMM.

Information and documents related to CHC meetings and decisions are available from the National Library of Australia's web archive.

Reports and publications

Reports and discussion papers endorsed by health ministers include:

Rapid Review of Assisted Reproductive Technology and In Vitro Fertilisation Regulation and Accreditation in Australia

• The rapid review of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and In Vitro Fertilisation Regulation and Accreditation in Australia was an independent review led by Professor Euan Wallace AM. It examined the strengths and weaknesses of the current state of ART sector accreditation and regulation.
• The final report sets out 10 reform opportunities and corresponding recommendations to improve accreditation, regulation and oversight of the ART sector, each with the intent of delivering better quality and safety of care, and better outcomes for consumers.
• The report outlines a three-phase implementation approach with the first phase to be completed by January 2027.

Transforming health professionals regulation in Australia: Independent Review Final Report

• The review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) was an independent review led by Sue Dawson. It examined the NRAS for complex or unnecessary processes with the aim to improve regulatory outcomes and keep Australians safe by providing high-quality health care.
• The final report, Transforming health professionals regulation in Australia sets out recommendations consisting of 4 overarching directions, supported by 26 actions. The recommendations embed the principles of regulatory stewardship, an evidence driven approach, and fostering collaboration across sectors.
• The Health Workforce Taskforce will provide advice on implementation of actions in 2026.

Framework for the assessment, funding and implementation of high cost, highly specialised therapies and services

• The National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) sets out shared intention of the Australian Government (AG) and State and Territory (S&T) Governments to work in partnership to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure the sustainability of the Australian health system. On 1 July 2020, Schedule J -Addendum to the NHRA (2020-2025), which includes arrangements for the assessment and funding of high cost, highly specialised therapies (HST), took effect.
• In August 2020, the Clinical Principal Committee of the former Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council approved funding to NSW to lead development of a framework to support implementation of the Addendum. Through a series of workshops and consultations with the Australian Government and jurisdictional representatives, the Framework for the assessment, funding and implementation of high cost, highly specialised therapies and services (the Framework) has been developed.

NHRA Mid-term Review Final Report – October 2023

• The National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) between the Commonwealth and all states and territories funds public hospital services and other health activities. In 2021-22, $59.2 billion in Commonwealth, state and territory funding was administered under the NHRA. The Mid-Term Review of the National Health Reform Agreement Addendum 2020-2025 (the Review) was jointly commissioned by all Health Ministers and undertaken by Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM, with the final report delivered in October 2023.
• The Review was conducted according to Clause 21 of the NHRA and further directions from Health Ministers, including consideration of the response to and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Review’s findings were informed by a wide-ranging consultation process comprising workshops, interviews with key stakeholders, a targeted call for written submissions, and extensive data retrieval and analysis.
• The Review concludes that there are opportunities to broaden the scope of the Agreement to take a whole of health system view, to better manage the interface between care sectors, to incorporate the key system enablers of workforce and digital health, and to establish priority actions in the areas of First Nations peoples’ health.

Independent review of Health Practitioner Regulatory Settings (Kruk Review)

• National Cabinet announced an independently led, rapid review of Australia’s regulatory settings related to health practitioner registration, skill and qualification recognition for overseas trained health professionals and international students who have studied in Australia.
• The Kruk Review, undertaken by Ms Robyn Kruk AO recommends reforms to streamline regulatory settings to make it simpler, quicker and cheaper for international health practitioners to work in Australia. These reforms will drive productivity dividends for migrants, employers and communities, while maintaining health care quality and safety.

National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032

• Obesity is a major cause of preventable chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and at least thirteen cancers. The current rates of overweight and obesity in Australia are high. The National Obesity Strategy is a 10-year framework for action to prevent, reduce and treat overweight and obesity in Australia. It is endorsed by the Australian Government and state and territory governments.

Look at previous reports and documents

Communiques

For previous communiques.

Members

State and territory government ministers responsible for health portfolios, along with the Australian Government Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, are members of the HMM.

Members elect the Chair and Deputy Chair by majority vote for a two-year term, acknowledging tenure is subject to state/federal election processes.

Meetings

Health Ministers Meetings occur regularly, via a mix of virtual and face-to-face meetings to discuss and progress health priorities. The meeting schedule is determined by agreement between Members.

Ministerial authorities and national bodies who report to the HMM

The following ministerial authorities and national bodies contribute to the national health system and report to the HMM when required:

• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
• Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA)
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
• Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA)
• National Blood Authority (NBA)
• National Health Funding Body (NHFB) and Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool (NHFP)
• National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO)
• Organ and Tissue Authority

Related committees or groups

National Cabinet

National Cabinet is a forum for the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers to meet and work collaboratively.

National Cabinet was established on 13 March 2020 and is chaired by the Prime Minister. It manages matters of national significance that need all governments to work together. National Cabinet may task the HMM with work to support development and implementation of national priorities.

Learn more about the structure of the National Cabinet

Health Chief Executives Forum (HCEF)

The Health Chief Executives Forum (HCEF) supports the Health Ministers’ Meeting to deliver agreed national priorities. Learn more about the HCEF.

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