News archive

To make a media enquiry to the Department, please email news@health.gov.au or call (02) 6289 7400 (24 hours).

26 April 2018

Medical research into flesh-eating ulcer

The Australian Government is providing $1.5 million in medical research funding to help better understand the flesh eating Buruli ulcer and reduce its spread in Australia.

26 April 2018

Unique Centre to Fast-Track First Peoples’ Health Improvement

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM has officially launched an Australian-first centre to boost Aboriginal health by fast-tracking social and cultural research.

23 April 2018

Bold new research to reduce dementia impact on first peoples

The high rate of dementia in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is being targeted through five ground-breaking research projects that aim to boost dementia prevention, slow its onset and improve the lives of First Peoples living with the condition.

23 April 2018

Northern Territory and Tasmania sign onto record hospital funding agreement

The Turnbull Government welcomes the decision by the Northern Territory and Tasmanian governments to sign onto our new hospital agreement.

23 April 2018

World Immunisation Week—Protect Our Children from Preventable Diseases

While Australia’s vaccination rate for five years olds is one of the best in the world—at 94 per cent—it still needs to increase.

22 April 2018

Australian Brain Cancer Mission and Carrie’s Beanies partner to fight brain cancer

The Australian Government today welcomes the partnership between the $100 million Brain Cancer Mission and Carrie Bickmore’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer to fight brain cancer through medical research.

22 April 2018

Mandatory vaccine programs to curb aged care influenza

The provision of influenza vaccination programs to all staff in residential aged care homes will be compulsory, as the Turnbull Government moves to maximise protection for senior Australians ahead of this year’s this flu season.

22 April 2018

Mandatory vaccine programs to curb aged care influenza

The provision of influenza vaccination programs to all staff in residential aged care homes will be compulsory, as the Turnbull Government moves to maximise protection for senior Australians ahead of this year’s this flu season.

19 April 2018

New Aussie Rules hub opens in Werribee

A major sporting facility that will support Australian Rules participation programs run by the North Melbourne Football Club at Chirnside Park in Werribee, was officially opened by Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie.

18 April 2018

$10 million to support cutting edge medical projects

The Australian Government will provide $10 million to support the development of eleven cutting edge medical projects, which will improve the lives of Australian patients and provide new options to help solve emerging health challenges.

18 April 2018

2018 influenza vaccines now available

More than 4.5 million Australians who are most at risk of getting sick during this year’s flu season can now access a free influenza vaccine, under the Federal Government’s National Immunisation Program.

18 April 2018

Powerful New Reforms to Ensure Safe, Quality Aged Care

The Australian Government will ensure Australians in the aged care system are better cared for, through raising the quality benchmarks that homes must meet.

17 April 2018

Multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea

Two cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea have been recently detected in Australia. One case was diagnosed in Western Australia and a second case diagnosed in Queensland.

16 April 2018

Historic Commonwealth Games Draws to a Close

The Minister for Sport, Bridget McKenzie has congratulated Australia’s athletes on their outstanding performance at this year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

16 April 2018

Listing of life-saving cancer medicine to save patients more than $200,000

The Turnbull Government will drastically reduce the cost of a life-saving new medicine, which uses a patient’s own immune system to track down and destroy cancer cells.

16 April 2018

Quality Care the Key as Senior Australians Have Their Say

Senior Australians in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs participated in a lively aged care forum facilitated by Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt AM, and Member for Chisholm, Julia Banks MP.

16 April 2018

Tough Talk: Australians Urged to Plan for End Of Life Care

Australia’s inaugural Advance Care Planning Week begins on 16 April, encouraging people of all ages to prepare their personal end of life care plans, to give certainty to themselves and their families.

13 April 2018

COAG Health Council Communique - 13 April 2018

The federal, state and territory Health Ministers met in Sydney on Friday 13 April 2018 at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues.

13 April 2018

Medical research to improve healthcare in Queensland

Minister McKenzie - Media Release - Medical research to improve healthcare in Queensland

12 April 2018

Youth Health Centres on Culture, Family, Education and Jobs

A unique new youth strategy puts cultural and family strength, education, employment and leadership at the centre of First Nations people’s health and wellbeing.

11 April 2018

Investing in better Parkinson’s disease management

Marking World Parkinson’s Day, the Australian Government’s Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF), is investing $7.75 million to help Global Kinetics Corporation continue to develop their world leading technology to help Parkinson’s sufferers self-manage their disease and therapy requirements.

10 April 2018

Virtual reality and mobile app to tackle doping in sport

Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie has today launched a suite of cutting edge, world-first anti-doping education tools.

09 April 2018

Henpowering Grafton Seniors to Benefit from Active Ageing

Hens, humour, cooking and care have been combined to maintain and improve the wellbeing of residents, in a major aged care expansion to keep seniors connected with the Grafton community.

09 April 2018

More funding for Men’s Sheds across Australia

The Australian Government is providing funding to 90 Men’s Sheds across the country to support the mental health and overall wellbeing of Australian men.

09 April 2018

New Home to Give Grafton Aged Care and Economy a Big Boost

Local seniors and Clarence Valley communities will benefit from the construction of a new 144-bed residential aged care home and subsequent significant job creation in Grafton.

09 April 2018

New mobile service supports mental health of young people

A new $1.5 million mobile mental health service will offer intensive treatment to children and young people in the Redlands and Bay Island areas of Brisbane.

07 April 2018

World Health Day 2018

Today is World Health Day – a day to celebrate our achievements and acknowledge our challenges. This year’s theme is ‘Universal Health Coverage (UHC): everyone, everywhere’.

06 April 2018

Increased payments lock in record Commonwealth funding for hospitals

The Australian Government will make an increased payment of $547 million to the states and territories for public hospital activity in 2015-16, following the final reports by independent hospital pricing and funding agencies.

06 April 2018

New program to support families of Commonwealth Games athletes

The biggest supporters of Australia’s Commonwealth Games athletes will have access to their own support network thanks to a new program launched by Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie.

04 April 2018

Aged Care Quality and Safety Comes First

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt says the provision of safe, quality care 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in aged care homes in the Bundaberg area and across the nation is non-negotiable.

01 April 2018

Millions of Aussies benefit from medicine price drop

The Australian Government will reduce the cost of more than 300 medicine brands by as much as 40 per cent, benefiting millions of Australian patients

29 March 2018

Information Commissioner’s Report

The Department of Health welcomes the Information Commissioner’s final report following his investigation into the department’s release of a sample of data from the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

28 March 2018

Australians Urged to Reach Out and Burst Bubble of Bipolar

Almost four million Australians have experienced a mental illness in the past year but what may be less familiar is that well over half a million of these people are living with bipolar disorder.

28 March 2018

Legislation to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable

Legislation has been introduced into Parliament to deliver a wide ranging package of reforms to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable.

28 March 2018

Nominations Call for Aged Care Quality Awards

Nominations for the aged care 2018 Better Practice Awards open on 1 April 2018 and Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM is encouraging providers to enter and highlight innovation and excellence.

28 March 2018

Prevention and Early Diagnosis Focus for a Healthier Future

The critical role of preventive care and tackling the precursors of chronic disease is being boosted in the latest guide for health professionals working to close the gap in health equality for Indigenous Australians.

27 March 2018

Improving Diabetes Management for Healthier Lives

A haunting video message recorded by a man dying from diabetes-related illnesses is being made available to diabetes educators.

26 March 2018

$2 million for medical research on epilepsy

The Australian Government will invest $2 million in new medical research to help find a cure for rare genetic epilepsy disorders.

26 March 2018

Cheaper medicine for thousands of Australian patients

The Australian Government will drastically reduce the cost of medicines to treat diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma and eye disease with new additions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from April 1.

26 March 2018

More Future GPs Commence Training Across Australia

The Australian Government’s health reform agenda has been strengthened with nearly 1,500 doctors accepting positions that will see them study, train and work in practices, clinics and hospitals across the nation.

23 March 2018

Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements

The Federal Government has received the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements.

21 March 2018

Medical Research to improve healthcare in the Hunter

The Australian Government will invest more than $6 million into medical research projects in the Hunter and Northern NSW region, aimed at improving healthcare options for patients.

21 March 2018

New medicine to help end the transmission of HIV

The Australian Government is taking a critical step in helping end the transmission of HIV infection in Australia with the 1 April listing of tenofovir with emtricitabine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS).

19 March 2018

New Program Proves its Worth in Improving Dementia Care

A new training program pioneered in Tasmania is promising earlier dementia diagnosis and better support for patients, their families and carers.

17 March 2018

Bondi Beach cattle drive to muster more organ donors

A herd of cattle have hoofed it along Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach today to celebrate hope, mateship and the life-changing benefits made possible through organ and tissue donation.

17 March 2018

Taking action: Strengthening aged care homes quality compliance

From today, unannounced quality and safety audits will come into force across all Australian residential aged care homes, as the Turnbull Government builds on its aged care reforms.

16 March 2018

Extra Support for Kiama’s Dementia Friendly Community

Kiama’s development as a dementia-friendly community will receive a funding boost from the Australian Government’s Dementia-Friendly Communities Initiative, to extend the district’s leading role in dementia innovation.

15 March 2018

Cutting red tape for Australian Aged Care

The Australian Government is streamlining aged care accommodation approvals, so that providers can continue to focus on their core business of caring and supporting senior Australians.

15 March 2018

Dementia films and mobile app to support communities in need

Reducing the devastating impact of dementia in Chinese, Indian and Arab communities is the aim of 15 new films in an online and app format now in production across Australia.

15 March 2018

Medical research to uncover better treatment for Indigenous Australians

The Turnbull Government will invest more than $6 million in a health science centre in Alice Springs which is focused on addressing health challenges faced by Indigenous Australians.

14 March 2018

Dedicated mental health training for undergraduate nurses

The Australian Government is strengthening its commitment to Australia’s health workforce by providing $128,000 to deliver mental health course materials in undergraduate nursing degrees

14 March 2018

New, comprehensive voice for aged care skills and workforce planning

An Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is being formed to tackle critical skills and workforce issues identified by the Australian Government’s Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce.

14 March 2018

RAAF Base Tindal PFAS Blood Testing to Start This Week

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has announced that a Voluntary Blood Testing Program for people impacted by PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine will begin on Saturday 17 March.

12 March 2018

New partnership to drive better healthcare research and development

The Turnbull Government has set up a new advisory board to work with the United States to promote technology and innovation in healthcare.

09 March 2018

Better support for patients with low survival cancers and diseases

The Australian Government is calling for applications from the country’s best and brightest researchers to help find new treatments for low survival cancers and diseases.

09 March 2018

Listening to Indigenous Needs: Healthy Ears Program Extended

The Australian Government has committed $29.4 million to extend the Healthy Ears - Better Hearing, Better Listening Program, to help ensure tens of thousands more Indigenous children and young adults grow up with good hearing and the opportunities it brings.

08 March 2018

World Kidney Day: Community Focus on Renal Health, Organ Donation

World Kidney Day highlights that more than 1,000 Australians are waiting for kidney transplants, the Australian Government is providing $430,000 in Community Awareness Grants for local projects to encourage more people to register as organ and tissue donors.

06 March 2018

Federal Court Decision in Regis Aged Care Case

The Federal Court handed down a decision on 2 March 2018, to disallow Regis Aged Care from levying an “Asset Replacement Charge” on aged care residents.

06 March 2018

Highest bulk-billing rate on record

New Medicare data shows a record amount of Australian patients are seeing their doctor without paying a cent, with the bulk-billing rate increasing to 85.8 per cent in the first half of the 2017–18 financial year.

04 March 2018

Campaign to target areas with low immunisation rates

The Australian Government will target parents across the country with a powerful message around the need to vaccinate their children, with a new campaign launching today.

02 March 2018

Better maternity services for Australian women

The Australian Government has released new national medical guidelines for the care of pregnant women, while also detailing a new approach to maternity services.

02 March 2018

Dementia, Depression Warning Marks World Hearing Day

Australians are asked to ‘hear the future and prepare for it’, by committing to ear health for life, as the nation marks World Hearing Day on 3 March.

02 March 2018

Home Care Record as Reforms Benefit Senior Australians

A record number of home care packages have been assigned in the past quarter, as the Australian Government’s generational aged care reforms accelerate benefits for senior Australians.

02 March 2018

Medical research funding to accelerate action on endometriosis

The Australian Government will provide $2.5 million in medical research funding as part of the first-ever national approach to combat endometriosis.

28 February 2018

Capital Steps Out in Support Of Giving the Gift of Life

Thousands have stepped out at Canberra’s 12th annual Gift of Life DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin, to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation and encourage people to join the Australian Organ Donor Register.

27 February 2018

New Roadmap to Eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease

The charting of Australia’s first comprehensive roadmap to end rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has begun, with the foundations laid at a roundtable of experts in Darwin, convened by the Indigenous Health Minister, Ken Wyatt AM.

27 February 2018

Reminder: Have Your Say on Aged Care Staffing

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM is reminding all interested Australians to have their say on the staffing of Aged Care homes across the country, by participating in an online survey or by contributing to the current national review of the Aged Care workforce.

26 February 2018

New Report Card on Australian Children and Youth

A new report on the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of Australia’s young people shows we are leading the world in some areas, including low rates of youth smoking and life expectancy at birth.

23 February 2018

Roundtable towards roadmap for renal health

Reducing the misery and death caused by kidney disease will be the focus of Australia’s first roadmap to Indigenous renal health.

22 February 2018

Darwin Youth and Community Suicide Prevention Forums

Darwin youths, families and community members will be invited to share stories, discuss challenges and bring forward ideas at a series of forums aimed at preventing people taking their own lives.

22 February 2018

Giving our Indigenous Children a Better Start to Life

Two successful early childhood programs delivering significant improvements in the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families will be expanded across an additional 19 new sites.

21 February 2018

Connected Beginnings aims to help Close the Gap in Ceduna

Ceduna families are now benefiting from the new, community based Connected Beginnings program, linking health care and early childhood education, as the program continues its national rollout.

21 February 2018

Statement from Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt: Investigation of Fairfield Grange Death a Top Priority

I am extremely saddened to hear of the deaths at Carinity Fairfield Grange and my thoughts are with families, friends and other residents.

20 February 2018

2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Team fly the Aussie flag

Australia will send a strong team of 13 athletes to the Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang next month.

20 February 2018

National organ donation program surpasses 10,000 lives saved and improved

The latest report on Australian organ donation and transplant outcomes shows that last year, the number of deceased organ donors continued at the record level achieved in 2016.

19 February 2018

Law Enforcement Puts Dent in Ice Epidemic

Minister for Rural Health, Bridget McKenzie has congratulated the Australian Federal Police, for their role in a major methamphetamine bust in Adelaide.

18 February 2018

Ground-breaking flu vaccines to protect millions of Aussies

The Australian Government will provide two new ground-breaking flu vaccines to over three million Australians aged 65 years and over - free of charge.

17 February 2018

It’s more than medals at PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie has praised the Australian Olympic Team for their outstanding effort at the Winter Games in PyeongChang.

16 February 2018

febfast – Pause for a Cause

Young and not so young Australians have given up sugar or alcohol or have committed to becoming more physically active this month for “febfast”.

16 February 2018

Protecting senior Australians from superbugs

Protecting senior Australians in residential aged care from the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria is the aim of two major research projects announced by the Australian Government today.

15 February 2018

Launch of the beta Health website

We're creating a new health.gov.au website that's easier for our stakeholders to understand and use.

14 February 2018

New action plan to fight childhood heart disease

The Australian Government will develop a national plan to uncover new treatments and care options for more than 64,000 Australians affected by congenital/childhood heart disease.

12 February 2018

Ministerial Advisory Committee on Out-of-Pocket Costs Communique

The meeting was chaired by Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy and was attended by a group of expert medical specialists, a consumer representative and representatives of the private health insurance and private hospital sectors.

11 February 2018

Four-Year Program to Cut Smoking and Save Lives

Australia’s first four-year Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program will provide certainty, continuity and record funding for proven local campaigns and new initiatives to save lives and reduce the devastating impacts of tobacco-related disease.

10 February 2018

Tackling Mental Health with the NRL

Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rugby league players and fans have received positive mental health messages and many more are likely to benefit, thanks to this week’s successful Festival of Indigenous Rugby League.

09 February 2018

Council Chair Continues to Ensure Safe, Quality Aged Care

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, has announced the re-appointment of Andrea Coote as Chair of the Aged Care Quality Advisory Council, for a three-year term.

09 February 2018

Historic agreement landed for rural practice

A landmark agreement has been reached to develop a national framework for Rural Generalist medical specialty.

09 February 2018

It’s a proud day for Australia

Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has wished Australia’s Winter Olympic team the best of luck for the Games starting in PyeongChang, South Korea.

09 February 2018

Rural health focus at the heart of Government

Leading rural health organisations met in Canberra with the new Minister for Rural Health Senator Bridget McKenzie to progress rural and regional health reform.

09 February 2018

Wide Bay Aged Care: Priorities and Opportunities

The continuing delivery and potential expansion of flexible, quality aged care services promises increasing opportunities for Wide Bay, says Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt.

08 February 2018

Have your say to ensure quality of aged care workforce

Ensuring the safe, quality care of senior Australians through a skilled and adequate aged care workforce is the aim of a national public consultation program starting on 8 February 2018.

06 February 2018

$4 million for Australian Bid for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Australian Government will provide an additional $4 million to Football Federation Australia (FFA) to mount an Australian bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

06 February 2018

Ground-breaking ovarian cancer project to save lives

The Australian Government will provide almost $3 million to support a new ground-breaking project that helps women identify whether they are at risk of developing ovarian cancer.

04 February 2018

World Cancer Day 2018: We can. I can.

World Cancer Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and consider what actions we can all take to tackle this disease.

02 February 2018

20 Junior Doctors for local health services

Twenty junior medical officers will undertake part of their on-the-job training locally in the Riverina as a result of Australian Government funding to increase the number of doctors training in rural areas.

02 February 2018

New Service Provides a Way Back

Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie, and Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, launched The Way Back at the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s head office in Wagga Wagga.

02 February 2018

Quad-strain meningococcal vaccine to be added to National Immunisation Program

To help protect our youngest Australians from the devastating consequences of meningococcal, the Australian Government will add a quad-strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

01 February 2018

Codeine change will help save lives

Following the unanimous advice of the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling in August 2015, an important change that will help save lives comes into effect today for medicines containing codeine.

01 February 2018

Delivering affordable access to vital new multiple sclerosis treatment

More than 5,000 Australians every year who suffer from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis will benefit from affordable access to a major new life-changing medicine from 1 February 2018.

01 February 2018

Giving South West Children a Better Start to Life

A highly successful mothers and babies health program is now available in Western Australia’s South West, as part of the national expansion of the service to help build stronger, healthier and more resilient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

01 February 2018

New research project to help tackle chronic pain

The Australian Government is boosting its commitment to preventive health by providing $10 million for new research projects that focus on preventing disease and keeping people out of hospital.

31 January 2018

Better support for asthma sufferers

The Australian Government has today launched a new national strategy to help tackle asthma, while also providing an additional $1 million for an asthma support program in schools.

31 January 2018

Embrace My Health Record for simpler, safer care wherever you are

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has called on Australians, especially senior Australians, to embrace the rollout of the My Health Record, for secure, safer, more convenient care.

29 January 2018

Australian Winter Olympic Team announced

Australia will be represented by 45 athletes next month in PyeongChang competing in a number of events including aerial skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh, cross country skiing and figure skating.

29 January 2018

Let's get physical for healthy ageing

New Australian Government funded research highlights the crucial role of structured physical exercise and building strength in improving the health, independence and quality of life of senior Australians.

29 January 2018

Supporting the life savers of Mackay

Surf life saving clubs are a much loved part of Australia’s beach culture. At a visit to the Mackay Surf Life Saving Club in Queensland, Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie restated the Australian Government’s support for the vital service these clubs provide for the community.

28 January 2018

Better support for patients with rare diseases

The Turnbull Government is improving Australia’s Life Saving Drugs Program to ensure patients with rare and life threatening diseases continue to get access to vital medicines.

25 January 2018

Congratulations to Dr Graham Farquhar, Senior Australian of the Year

Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, has congratulated Dr Graham Farquhar on being named Senior Australian of the Year by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra.

25 January 2018

Lowest private health insurance premium change in 17 years

The Australian Government’s reforms to take the pressure off private health insurance has today delivered the lowest annual premium change in almost two decades.

25 January 2018

Pharmacy trial to support patients with chronic pain

The Australian Government is providing $20 million to run a new trial program, through community pharmacies across Australia, which will support people suffering from on-going chronic pain.

24 January 2018

$69 million boost for fight against rare cancers and rare diseases

The Australian Government is supporting Australia’s best and brightest medical researchers in their fight against rare cancers and rare diseases with a $69 million boost announced.

24 January 2018

innovAGEING to accelerate Aged Care Innovation

The Australian Government will contribute $400,000 over the next two years to innovAGEING, a partnership to drive and promote innovation across Australia’s rapidly growing aged care services industry.

22 January 2018

Frailty warning for seniors as innovative new test promises healthier ageing

Older Australian women are most at risk of frailty, according to new research that highlights how an online test and a series of simple interventions can help senior Australians maintain their independence and improve their health.

22 January 2018

New services for young children in Gympie

Local families will benefit from a new $120,000 service providing multidisciplinary early intervention to young children in Gympie who are at risk of falling behind in their development.

22 January 2018

TGA opens consultation on the use of prescription opioids for pain

Australia's medicines' regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a discussion paper on the use and misuse of prescription strong opioids.

18 January 2018

Continuing rollout of Local Drug Action Teams across Australia

The Australian Government is continuing to take action to combat the scourge of ice and other illicit drugs with more Local Drug Action Teams set to rollout across Australia.

18 January 2018

More support for Australia’s world-class medical researchers

The Turnbull Government is announcing new grant funding of almost $12 million to provide further support for Australia’s world-class medical researchers.

12 January 2018

Low dose codeine ineffective for most pain relief

The best medical advice and research shows that codeine is no better for pain than other over the counter medicines, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, said today.

11 January 2018

Grants and workshops to develop Women Leaders in Sport

The Australian Government will provide more than $210,000 in grants as well as expanded workshop opportunities to develop hundreds of female sporting leaders in 2018.

08 January 2018

$110 million additional investment in child and youth mental health

The Australian Government is continuing to build on record levels of investment in mental health services with an additional $110 million to extend and expand mental health programs for young Australians.

05 January 2018

Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program to support local job creation in the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Turnbull Government’s $33 million Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program has taken a major step forward, with the appointment of a consortium led by Ernst & Young (EY), including not-for-profit organisations and an employment service, to implement the job-creating initiative.

05 January 2018

We’re set to sizzle – so take care

With parts of the country set to experience record hot temperatures, the Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie, is urging people to stay safe in the sun and the water.

04 January 2018

Australian Government to allow medicinal cannabis exports

In an important step for the development of the medicinal cannabis sector and to secure long-term supplies for Australian patients, the Federal Government will permit the export of medicinal cannabis products.

02 January 2018

Expert committee to consider out-of-pocket medical costs

The Australian Government will work with the medical profession to address the large and sometimes unanticipated out-of-pocket medical fees some patients face.

02 January 2018

Make Giving the Gift of Life Your New Year's Resolution

01 January 2018

$3 million to save lives in the water

The Turnbull Government will provide an additional $3 million to life saving clubs and other water safety organisations around Australia to help reduce drowning deaths and near-deaths.

30 December 2017

Interview with Alex Hart Weekend Sunrise

Transcript of Minister for Health, Greg Hunt's interview with Alex Hart Wekend Sunrise.

30 December 2017

Interview with Charles Croucher Weekend Today

Transcript of Minister for Health, Greg Hunt's interview with Charles Croucher Weekend Today

30 December 2017

More than $300 million for life-changing medicines

Around 800 Australians each year suffering from lung cancer and relapsed refractory multiple myeloma will benefit from affordable access to new medicines from 1 January 2018.

23 December 2017

Christmas gifts to keep everyone physically active

Rushing to find the perfect Christmas gift this weekend?

22 December 2017

Hearing Services Review Aims to Improve Client Care

The Minister responsible for hearing services, Ken Wyatt AM, released the findings of the Review of Services and Technology Supply under the Government’s Hearing Services Program (HSP).

22 December 2017

New comprehensive guidance on medicinal cannabis

For the first time, Australian prescribers of medicinal cannabis will have access to up-to-date information to help inform their decision-making about patient treatment options for a number of conditions.

21 December 2017

My Life My Lead Report: Tackling Social Determinants and Strengthening Culture Key to Improving Indigenous Health

The Australian Government has released results of national consultations that highlight the importance of culture and tackling the social determinants of health, to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

19 December 2017

$3 Million Lift For Rural and Remote Aged Care Services

The Australian Government’s commitment to aged care services for senior Australians living in rural and remote areas has been boosted by more than $3 million.

19 December 2017

$8 million boost for cancer research projects

The Australian Government has announced more support for cancer research with $8 million in grants.

19 December 2017

Federal Coalition Government expands junior doctor training in the regions

The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to significantly increase the number of rural-based doctors in training, by expanding opportunities to work in primary care settings.

19 December 2017

New administrator announced for the National Rural Health Student Network

The Australian Government has appointed a new administrator for the National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN).

18 December 2017

Ensuring quality and safety for after-hours care

The Australian Government is taking steps to ensure that patients needing an after-hours doctor receive the best quality care under Medicare.

15 December 2017

More Indigenous Health Leaders for Remote Australia

The Australian Government will support a further 14 Northern Territory Aboriginal health services staff members to undertake specialised leadership and management training, as it continues moves to bolster the indigenous health workforce.

14 December 2017

Doorstop Seaford, Victoria

Transcript of Minister for Health, Greg Hunt's Doorstop - Seaford,

14 December 2017

Expansion of junior doctor training in the Hastings

More junior doctors will be trained throughout general practice, aged care, large and small hospital environments in Wauchope and Port Macquarie as part of an Australian Government initiative designed to encourage more doctors to practice in regional centres.

14 December 2017

Interview with Steve Martin ABC Melbourne

Transcript of Minister for Health, Greg Hunt's Interview with Steve Martin ABC Melbourne

14 December 2017

National Coastal Safety Report is an important reminder for everyone to be alert and cautious in the water this summer

The Australian Government has launched Surf Life Saving Australia’s 2017 National Coastal Safety Report – which found that 116 people died from drowning around the Australian coastline in 2016-17.

13 December 2017

$10 million funding boost for Tokyo 2020 athletes

The Australian Government will boost high performance sport funding with an additional $10 million as part of a targeted drive towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

13 December 2017

Working together to solve GP shortages in Western Victoria

A new health workforce working group has taken the first important steps toward improving access to GPs in western Victorian communities.

11 December 2017

New national plasma agreement ensures supply for Australian patients

The Australian Government has guaranteed the provision of a safe, secure and affordable supply of plasma products and services with the signing of an important new agreement.

10 December 2017

Care Alert: Reach Out To Reduce Loneliness This Christmas

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM has launched a national campaign to reduce loneliness this festive season, revealing he recently visited an aged care home where, year-round, none of the residents receive visitors.

09 December 2017

A Brave Young Dad’s Lifesaving Message for all Australians

A heartbreaking video message has been released, realising Jason Bartlett’s dying wish to raise awareness of the importance of men taking personal responsibility for their health.

09 December 2017

Tribute to Sol Bellear

The Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM has paid tribute to legendary civil rights campaigner, mentor and sportsman Sol Bellear.

08 December 2017

Healthy Food Partnership Executive Committee Communique

The Australian Government, food industry bodies and public health groups met on 8 December 2017, to progress the work of the Healthy Food Partnership.

06 December 2017

Expanding East Gippsland Services for a Healthier Future

A $5.14 million Australian Government investment in Bairnsdale’s new Brabuwoolong Medical Centre has secured a major step forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services in East Gippsland.

06 December 2017

Major $640 million investment in Australia’s world-leading medical research

The Australian Government will invest $640 million to support Australia’s world-leading health and medical researchers as they continue their work in the laboratory, clinic and the community to find the next major medical breakthrough.

06 December 2017

New Era for Diversity in Aged Care

The Australian Government has released Australia’s latest Aged Care Diversity Framework, signalling a new, more inclusive era in aged care.

06 December 2017

Private patients in public hospitals remains a growing concern

The Australian Government is very concerned about the growing practice of private health insurance being charged by public hospitals for treatments that should be free.

06 December 2017

Time for action on endometriosis

The Australian Government will create the first National Action Plan for Endometriosis, providing much needed support for women who face this often misunderstood medical condition.

05 December 2017

Remote Area Health Corps celebrates 5000th NT placement

A successful program to help overcome critical health workforce shortages in the Northern Territory has placed its 5000th health professional.

04 December 2017

Appointment of New Aged Care Financing Authority Chair

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM has announced the appointment of Mike Callaghan, AM PSM, as the new Chair of the Aged Care Financing Authority (ACFA).

01 December 2017

1.3 Million Australians Benefit from Record Aged Care Funding

The Australian Government spent a record total of $17.1 billion on aged care in 2016-17, for services provided to 1.3 million senior Australians.

01 December 2017

Better health care for people with chronic conditions

Up to 65,000 Australians will soon be receiving improved care for their ongoing chronic conditions, with the expansion of the Australian Government’s trial of Health Care Homes.

01 December 2017

Continuing to make new medicines affordable for Australians

A new medicine to treat soft tissue sarcoma will be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), giving more than 100 Australians a year access to affordable life-improving treatment.

01 December 2017

New cervical cancer test is great news for Australian women

Australian women will benefit from a new and more effective screening test for cervical cancer — it’s more accurate and requires testing less often.

30 November 2017

Tackle chronic disease by eating more fibre

The importance of fibre in our diet has been highlighted in a new report which shows that increasing our grain fibre intake could reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

30 November 2017

TGA undertakes regulatory actions after review into urogynaecological surgical mesh implants.

Australia’s medicine and medical devices regulator, the TGA, has decided to remove a number of mesh products whose sole use is the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse via transvaginal implantation from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

30 November 2017

Views Sought on Promised Specialist Dementia Care Units

The Australian Government is seeking community input on how to best implement planned new Specialist Dementia Care Units (SDCUs) for people living with severe behaviours associated with advanced dementia.

29 November 2017

$53 million to find better mental health treatments and care

The Australian Government will provide more than $53 million for new research into better treatments, prevention and care for Australian patients facing mental health challenges.

29 November 2017

New Videos Say “U and Me Can Stop HIV”

New animated videos voiced by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the latest weapons in the fight again HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Indigenous communities.

29 November 2017

Older Persons Advocacy: Local Voices for Seniors in Need

The Australian Government has launched a new, free nationwide support network to stand up for the rights of older Australians.

28 November 2017

$33 Million for WA Researchers Promises a Healthier Future

The impact of pregnant mothers’ diets on their babies’ food allergies is among 37 significant Western Australian research projects to share in over $33 million in funding from the Australian Government.

28 November 2017

New Aged Care Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

The Australian Government is providing more than $3 million in additional annual grant funding to deliver new and expanded residential aged care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote locations.

27 November 2017

Record bulk billing numbers under Turnbull Government

More Australian patients are visiting their GP without having to pay, with the bulk billing rate for the September quarter increasing to a record 85.9 per cent.

24 November 2017

Aged Care Access to Support Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP has released the findings of a review into how aged care services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities are working around Australia.

24 November 2017

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué 24 November 2017

Media release and Communiqué of outcomes from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation meeting held on 24 November 2017.

24 November 2017

Australia’s health security to be put to the test

Australia’s world-class health system will be put to the test over the next week as the World Health Organization (WHO) evaluates our nation’s health security.

24 November 2017

Genetics Promise Personalised Treatment to Prevent Blindness

The Australian Government has invested $9.46 million in genetics research aimed at preventing glaucoma blindness, through personalised treatments.

24 November 2017

Making the right choices with health star rating

Independent monitoring of the Health Star Rating system has found it is increasingly popular with the nation’s food shoppers.

23 November 2017

Building Resilience: Festival of Indigenous Rugby League 2018

The Australian Government will partner with the National Rugby League (NRL) to promote mental health awareness and support services as part of the 2018 Festival of Indigenous Rugby League.

23 November 2017

Improving Aged Care for LGBTI Senior Australians

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP has released the findings of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Aged Care Strategy Review.

23 November 2017

Minister announces ARPANSA leads the way as a SunSmart workplace

Assistant Minister for Health the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP attended a ceremony to recognise the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) as a SunSmart workplace.

21 November 2017

Donatelife ‘Save of The Cup’ Trophy Salutes Gift of Life

At the final of the Westfield Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, will award the ‘DonateLife Save of the Cup’ trophy to the best goalkeeper of the 2017 series.

21 November 2017

New Aged Care Facilities to Support Seniors in Grafton

Major extensions of the Whiddon Grafton aged care facility will immediately benefit senior Australians living in and around Grafton.

21 November 2017

New movement guidelines to help keep Aussie kids happy and healthy

New movement guidelines to help parents and carers create healthy daily practices for babies and young children have been released by the Australian Government.

20 November 2017

A place to call home for 60 vulnerable seniors in the Central West

A $14.7 million Australian Government aged care investment in the Central West of New South Wales means that 60 senior Australians who have been living rough, or are disadvantaged and at risk of homelessness now have a place to call home.

20 November 2017

Record $24 million for cardiovascular disease research

The Australian Government will invest a record $24 million to support landmark research into cardiovascular disease by The George Institute for Global Health.

19 November 2017

PFAS UPDATE

The Australian Government will extend its voluntary blood testing program, epidemiological study and mental health and counselling services to the expanded investigation area around RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, in line with the Department of Defence’s updated human health risk assessment and today’s announcement by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

16 November 2017

$70 million boost for Australia’s next generation of medical researchers

The Australian Government has announced an additional $70 million for Australian health and medical researchers to help boost their research capability and to find innovative, practical solutions for better health care.

15 November 2017

Dementia expansion as Government maintains Central West aged care focus

A major expansion of residential care in Lithgow for people with dementia is on track for completion, as the Australian Government maintains its strong commitment to Central West aged care.

14 November 2017

Aged care influenza reviews released

The Australian Government released detailed reviews of aged care homes in Victoria and Tasmania that suffered deadly influenza outbreaks this winter, which revealed poor facility management and low staff vaccination rates.

14 November 2017

Farm "work" a bonus for Cedarbrook Aged Care Residents

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM has praised the innovative approach taken by one of Australia’s newest residential aged care facilities, officially opened at Mudgeeraba in Queensland.

14 November 2017

Minister congratulates award winners for media coverage of positive ageing

Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, has today congratulated the recipients of the Older People Speak Out Awards (OPSO), which recognise the work of the Australian media in promoting positive ageing.

14 November 2017

Providing $9.46 million for innovative new diabetes research project

13 November 2017

Continuing work to help combat antimicrobial resistance

The Australian Government has launched a new online resource for industry and the community as part of our ongoing work to tackle the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

13 November 2017

Newcastle University to receive $12.2 million medical research boost

The Australian Government has announced significant support for medical research at the University of Newcastle with $12.2 million to fund 19 major medical research projects.

13 November 2017

Time to Give Thanks to Organ and Tissue Donors and Their Families – DonateLife Thank You Day

Sunday 19 November is DonateLife Thank You Day, dedicated to honouring living and deceased organ and tissue donors and their families across the nation.

10 November 2017

$12 Millon NT Investment Aims to Save Lives and Close the Gap in Indigenous Health

The Australian Government will fund nine landmark Northern Territory medical research projects worth over $12 million, aiming to save children’s lives and help close the gap in Indigenous health.

10 November 2017

Darwin Suicide Prevention Focus on Communication, Youth

Resolutions from the third meeting of the Darwin steering committee of the National Suicide Prevention Trial include measures to increase youth empowerment, extend communications and map a safer future for local people.

07 November 2017

$2.8 Million Investment Towards Aged Care Evolution

The Australian Government will invest $2.8 million in detailed business case planning for a major project to further develop and improve My Aged Care, Australia’s aged care gateway.

07 November 2017

New appointments to the Australian Sports Commission Board

Announcement of the appointment of three new directors to the Board of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

07 November 2017

Strategy to guide North West age-friendly communities and job creation

A new strategy has been released aiming to create age-friendly communities across the Pilbara and the Kimberley, while encouraging more seniors support services and greater local employment in aged care.

06 November 2017

First Australians conquer NYC marathon

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, have congratulated the latest squad of Indigenous Marathon Foundation runners on conquering the legendary New York City Marathon.

06 November 2017

Ice dependence, chronic disease among targets of North Coast health blitz

Ice dependence, mental conditions, suicide prevention and chronic disease are among the targets of a $9.1 million funding investment, from 2016-17, from the Australian Government, aiming to improve Indigenous health across north-eastern New South Wales.

01 November 2017

$35 million boost for new medical breakthroughs

The Turnbull Government is investing $35 million to identify and develop new medical solutions to improve the health of Australian patients.

01 November 2017

Boost for mental health services in the bush begins today

People living in rural and remote regions of Australia will get improved access to psychological services, under a new telehealth initiative.

01 November 2017

Expert Health Panel for Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

An Expert Health Panel has been established to advise the Australian Government on the potential health impacts associated with Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and to identify priority areas for further research.

01 November 2017

New aged care workforce taskforce to focus on safety and quality

The Australian Government has announced an expert taskforce to develop a wide-ranging workforce strategy, focused on supporting safe, quality aged care for senior Australians.

01 November 2017

New test for breast cancer as thousands to benefit from new Medicare listings

Thousands of Australian patients and their families will be able to access new Medicare supported treatments for breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, epilepsy, stroke, lymphoma and liver tumours.

30 October 2017

Media Statement - Flu Vaccines

Media statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy regarding media claims about flu vaccines.

30 October 2017

Robots, Laser Beams Highlight Future of Aged Care Innovation

A state-of-the-art residential aged care facility in Austral in western Sydney sets new standards in the use of technology to support residents’ safety and wellbeing.

29 October 2017

$100 million fund to fight brain cancer.

The Turnbull Government is today announcing a $100 million fund in an effort to defeat brain cancer and provide a better life for those suffering from this terrible disease.

27 October 2017

More resources to help fight opioid addiction

Opioid addiction is an international and Australian health challenge, therefore the Australian Government is providing over $1 million to ensure health practitioners and consumers are informed about changes to accessing codeine-containing medicines.

25 October 2017

Free healthy food app dials up good tucker for remote Indigenous communities

A new mobile phone app has been launched which promises to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote areas make healthy food choices.

25 October 2017

Quality review released: Aged care assessment visits to be unannounced

Announced accreditation visits will be replaced with unannounced audits across Australia’s residential aged care facilities, to help ensure safe, quality care standards are maintained at all centres at all times.

24 October 2017

Statement on Jackie Crowe

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing over the weekend of National Mental Health Commissioner, Ms Jackie Crowe.

23 October 2017

Transition to community control model positions West Arnhem for greater health benefits

The Australian Government will invest almost half a million dollars to support the transition of four health clinics across the Northern Territory’s West Arnhem region to a community control health service.

21 October 2017

Announcement of Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner today

Emeritus Professor Paul Worley will become Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner.

21 October 2017

New website to support mums

The Australian Government has launched a new online mental health resource to support new mums and mums-to-be through a range of perinatal support programs.

20 October 2017

Evaluation of Indigenous Australians’ Health Program

Independent consultants have been engaged to conduct evaluations of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Australians’ Health Program (IAHP).

19 October 2017

Australia loses young hero of organ donation

It is with great sadness that I share the news a true hero and advocate for organ donation, Coen Ashton, has passed away following complications due to kidney failure.

19 October 2017

Australians Urged to ‘Love Your Bones’ on World Osteoporosis Day

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt is urging Australians of all ages to complete a simple, online bone health check, to prevent potentially crippling conditions as they grow older.

19 October 2017

Better safety and security for remote health workers

The Australian Government is boosting its investment in training and professional support for health professionals working in the bush, with more than $250,000 being provided to develop training to improve personal safety and security.

19 October 2017

New report outlines residential aged care funding reform options

The release of a new report into aged care funding highlights a range of options to modify Australia’s residential care funding instrument.

18 October 2017

Building a Stronger Health Workforce in Wannon

The Assistant Minister for Health, Dr. David Gillespie and Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan are acting on concerns raised at recent forums in August 2017 about the recruitment and retention of medical professionals in Portland and Warrnambool.

17 October 2017

More than $60 million for end-of-life care projects

The Australian Government is providing more than $60 million for new projects that will help improve quality and access to palliative care.

14 October 2017

Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan released

Around four million Australians who experience a mental health condition will benefit from a strengthened mental health system under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.

13 October 2017

A Head Start to Help Children Reach Their Full Potential

An $842,000 funding boost from the Australian Government will help the Bubup Wilam Early Learning Aboriginal Child and Family Centre give scores of children a stronger start in life.

13 October 2017

Major reforms to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable

The Australian Government has announced a wide ranging package of reforms to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable for Australians.

12 October 2017

New Members Broaden Expertise of Organ Donation Board

Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, has appointed four more members to the inaugural Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Board.

11 October 2017

$3.4M funding for drug and alcohol treatment services across the North Coast

The NSW North Coast region is well placed to fight alcohol and other drug misuse, with the North Coast Primary Health Network commissioning a range of innovative early intervention, treatment and workforce development services.

09 October 2017

Action on Tumut Health Services

Health experts held a special meeting this week aimed at overcoming the shortage of doctors and other health services in the Tumut region.

09 October 2017

Marking National Headspace Day

Headspace supports tens of thousands of Australians each year who are struggling with mental health problems by providing vital counselling services in person and online.

09 October 2017

World Health Organisation and Australia forge new strategic partnership

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government have launched their first ever country cooperation strategy, on the sidelines of the sixty-eighth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.

07 October 2017

Australia’s new digital mental health gateway now live

As part of our over $4 billion annual investment in mental health, the Turnbull Government is today launching our new digital mental health gateway – Head to Health

05 October 2017

Federal Coalition Government delivers funding for new Local Drug Action Team to tackle ice, drugs and alcohol in the community

The Port Macquarie–Hastings, Manning and Macleay communities are receiving one of 40 new Local Drug Action Teams rolling out across the country to tackle drug use and harm.

03 October 2017

New provider to bring better access to hearing services across Australia

A new network of clinics has officially been launched, offering hearing checks and affordable hearing aids, and promising to increase choice and convenience for customers.

01 October 2017

More than 1,400 medicines more affordable from today

The Australian Government is continuing to make medicines more affordable with new drugs being subsidised and price reductions for more than 1,400 medications coming into effect on 1 October 2017.

28 September 2017

Aged care connecting to culture a top priority

A comprehensive new resource kit has been developed to assist Muslim Australians in accessing culturally comfortable aged care.

27 September 2017

Memorandum of Understanding on Sport Cooperation with Singapore

Australia’s athletes will benefit from a stronger sporting partnership under a new Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Australian and Singaporean Governments.

24 September 2017

Helping Australians take their lives back from drugs

The Turnbull Government is today launching the next phase of our National Drugs Campaign to help tackle the use of illicit drugs, particularly ice, among young Australians.

22 September 2017

Australia to host region’s key health decision makers

Australia will host the 68th session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (RCM68) in October.

22 September 2017

Grass roots response to win ice war

The Australian Government is teaming up with key community groups across the country to tackle the scourge of ice at a grass-roots level, with the next 40 Local Drug Action Teams rolling out.

20 September 2017

Commissioner resolving aged care complaints quickly

An increasing number of older Australians and their families are using the independent Aged Care Complaints Commissioner to resolve issues with aged care providers, with most complaints turned around within one month.

19 September 2017

More support for people with an eating disorder

The Australian Government is providing almost $3 million for more support and better treatment for people suffering from eating disorders.

18 September 2017

World-leading children’s cancer initiative kicks off

The fight to find a cure for many terrible childhood cancers has been boosted with the start of ground-breaking clinical trials, backed by $20 million from the Australian Government.

15 September 2017

Dishing up extra support for older Australians at home

Older Australians living at home will benefit from an Australian Government investment of an additional $8 million in funding for meals providers through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

14 September 2017

6,000 extra high need home care packages and $20 million My Aged Care revamp

The Turnbull Government has announced major initiatives in home care services and improved access to the My Aged Care system, as it releases the report of the Legislated Review of Aged Care 2017.

14 September 2017

Have your say on cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Optimising care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer is the aim of a national public consultation program.

13 September 2017

$4m grant as HealthInfoNet celebrates 20 years of making a difference

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, providing free access to an online repository of knowledge and research information, has received a $4.06 million grant as the resource marks its 20th anniversary.

11 September 2017

Medical technology investment to improve lives

The Australian Government will fund three medical breakthroughs to help people with severe disabilities walk again and support thousands of Australians facing crippling chronic back pain.

10 September 2017

Marking World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day and this year’s theme, “Take a Minute, Change a Life”, captures the idea that each of us has a role to play in suicide prevention.

09 September 2017

Remembering that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix

The ninth day, of the ninth month of the year is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day – when we are reminded that there is no known safe limit of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

08 September 2017

League legends team up for new Deadly Kangaroos World Cup health campaign

Members of the elite Australian Kangaroos Rugby League 2017 World Cup squad will headline the expansion of a successful grassroots campaign to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

05 September 2017

Encouraging women to make health a priority during Women’s Health Week

As part of Women’s Health Week, all Australian women are being encouraged to take time to think about making positive changes that can improve their health and wellbeing.

04 September 2017

Game On grants open to get Queensland moving

Game On Queensland grants are now available to local councils to deliver sport and recreation events and programs in the lead-up to, during and after the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

04 September 2017

Kimberley post-residential rehabilitation program supports sustained recovery

A new $1 million Australian Government initiative aims to give Kimberley residents completing drug and alcohol treatment programs their best chance of making a full recovery and leading productive lives.

03 September 2017

Compulsory flu vaccination for aged care workers

The Australian Government will investigate ways to boost vaccination rates among workers in aged care facilities, including making the flu vaccine compulsory, following an increase in deaths this winter.

02 September 2017

Mannum residents and region benefit from aged care expansion

A $1.5 million Australian Government investment has helped increase residential care options for older people living in the South Australian centre of Mannum.

01 September 2017

Australians Asked to Gear Up For Organ Donation on Jersey Day

On Friday 1 September, Australians are urged to show their team spirit by wearing their favourite sporting club’s jersey in support of Jersey Day 2017, established to honour the memory of 13-year-old organ donor Nathan Gremmo.

01 September 2017

Launch of ‘Kids Alive – Do The Five’ app

The Australian Government is proud to be supporting a great new initiative to help keep Aussie kids safe in the water – with the launch of the new ‘Kids Alive – Do the Five’ app.

01 September 2017

Western Australians Benefit from Home Care Boost

Western Australians who want to continue living independently in their communities will benefit from $2.1 million in additional funding for the State’s Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

31 August 2017

Coalition formalises local medical places in full and on time

The Australian Government has formalised its commitment to provide 50 Commonwealth Supported Places for local medical students at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital from 2019.

30 August 2017

Making more life-changing medicines available to all Australians

The Australian Government is listing almost half a billion dollars’ worth of new medicines, providing sufferers of both common and rare diseases access to life-changing drugs for as little as $6.30 per script.

29 August 2017

Peter Conde appointed AIS Director

I welcome the appointment of Mr Peter Conde as the new Director of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

28 August 2017

Increased youth focus as Minister co-chairs suicide prevention committee

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM will co-chair a new steering committee working directly with local Aboriginal communities, as the Kimberley Suicide Prevention Trial begins detailed planning and delivery of potentially lifesaving initiatives across the region.

25 August 2017

Commonwealth Games anti-doping funding arrangements finalised

The Australian Government will provide $1.8 million to ensure the highest quality anti-doping testing and arrangements are in place for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

25 August 2017

Federal Coalition Government training more young doctors in Wide Bay region

Medical students and young doctors in the Wide Bay region will receive greater opportunities to train under the Australian Government’s additional investment in the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program.

25 August 2017

New East Arnhem Land Aged Care Service to Create Jobs

The Australian Government is supporting communities in East Arnhem Land to establish an Indigenous aged care service for local Elders that also creates and sustains local jobs.

24 August 2017

Major new measures to help combat rare cancers

The Australian Government is supporting major new initiatives that will improve access to clinical trials, particularly for people with rare cancers including children.

23 August 2017

Lifeline Australia CEO Peter Shmigel

I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Pete Shmigel for his work, dedication and stewardship of Lifeline Australia for the last two years.

22 August 2017

Retirement of Mr Martin Bowles PSM from public service

I would like to join the Prime Minister in thanking Mr Martin Bowles PSM for his distinguished career of public service which has spanned almost forty years.

21 August 2017

Record number of Australians receiving Medicare benefits

More Australian patients are seeing their doctor without having to reach for their wallet with GP bulk billing rates for the 2016-17 financial year increasing to 85.7% compared to 85.1% in 2015-16.

19 August 2017

Have your say on funding private patients in public hospitals

The Australian Government is seeking feedback on this topic. If you are interested in providing a submission, a discussion paper has been released.

18 August 2017

Broken Hill hosts nation’s 100th headspace youth mental health service

A $1.787 million Australian Government investment in headspace services in Broken Hill will provide a significant boost to the region’s mental health care and support in an area identified as high need.

18 August 2017

Broken Hill residents to benefit from new Senior Lounge funding

The Australian Government is proud to provide more than $80,000 to further support Broken Hill’s Senior Lounge, a popular local hub for older people.

18 August 2017

Programs paving way for healthy future in Broken Hill and the Far West

Community based chronic disease initiatives are making significant improvements in the health of indigenous people across the Far West of New South Wales.

17 August 2017

Appointment of new ASADA CEO

Mr David Sharpe has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

16 August 2017

Framework flagged as report shows hearing challenge

The Australian Government has released a new report detailing the impact of hearing loss on Australia’s society and the economy.

15 August 2017

GEN-erational change as aged care data access is made easier for all

A user-friendly new website providing unprecedented detail and ease of access to Australia’s aged care information and data breakdowns has been activated.

15 August 2017

New Study Provides Insight into Residential Care Costs

The Australian Government has announced the start of a landmark investigation of the comparative costs of providing residential aged care to older Australians with varying needs.

14 August 2017

Aged Care Review Timing Extended

The Australian Government is extending the timeframe for the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.

13 August 2017

New campaign to encourage parents to ‘Get the facts about Immunisation’

The Australian Government is today launching the new ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’ campaign to encourage Australian parents and carers to get their kids vaccinated.

11 August 2017

Australian Government delivers for the Heart Bus

The Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, joined the Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, MP, and the founder of the Heart of Australia, Dr Rolf Gomes in Dalby to announce $1 million towards supporting the delivery of the lifesaving service.

10 August 2017

Dr Brian Richards Reappointed as Director of NICNAS

Dr Brian Richards has been reappointed as the Director of the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).

10 August 2017

Historic medical breakthrough by Australian researchers

A ground-breaking announcement of a simple cure that will save the lives of many infants confirms the well-deserved reputation of Australia’s health and medical researchers as among the very best in the world.

08 August 2017

Dementia Forum Report Paves Way for Better Support

The Australian Government has released the 2016 Ministerial Dementia Forum report, highlighting how support for people living with dementia can be improved.

07 August 2017

Aboriginal Experience Contributes to World Conference

Eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are in Alaska this week to take part in the Second World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Viral Hepatitis.

07 August 2017

New aged-care places increase choice, free up hospital beds

The provision of an extra 60 Transition Care Program (TCP) beds in Perth will help alleviate pressure on public hospitals and provide additional care options for older members of the community.

05 August 2017

Review into integrity of Australian sport

As part of the development of Government’s National Sport Plan, the Honourable James Wood AO QC has been asked to lead a specific review into the integrity of Australian sport.

03 August 2017

AFL marks life-saving campaign – Round 20 of 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season supports DonateLife Week

The AFL has come together to support and encourage fans to sign up as organ and tissue donors throughout DonateLife Week and Round 20 of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

02 August 2017

Commitment to supporting Indigenous Australians delivers better aged care

The Turnbull Government has congratulated an aged care services provider for its latest Reconciliation Action Plan and its commitment to better the lives of the indigenous Australians it supports.

02 August 2017

Lucy Brogden appointed Chair of National Mental Health Commission

Distinguished businesswomen and psychologist Lucy Brogden will be the next Chair of the Australian Government’s National Mental Health Commission.

01 August 2017

Have Your Say on Health Star Rating System

The public and stakeholders now have an additional two weeks to provide input on the national Health Star Rating (HSR) system, as public consultation is extended until 17 August.

31 July 2017

$40 million for dementia research projects

The Australian Government is allocating more than $40 million to medical research projects which will improve the lives of Australians fighting dementia.

31 July 2017

TGA is Consulting on Changes to Surgical Mesh Devices Regulation

Following a decision by the European Commission to implement a number of medical device reforms, including to up-classify all surgical mesh medical devices to Class III and to provide patient implant cards and consumer product information for all implantable medical devices, the TGA is looking at undertaking the same measures.

30 July 2017

New treatment for lung and kidney cancer on PBS

From 1 August, more than 4500 Australians will benefit each year from the listing of a revolutionary new medicine for lung and renal cancer on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

29 July 2017

NRL Tackles Organ Donor Registration in Winning Partnership

The National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Government have kicked off a lifesaving partnership to mark the start of DonateLife Week, aiming to help double the number of Australians registered as organ and tissue donors.

28 July 2017

National approach to prescription drug misuse

The Australian Government will invest over $16 million to deliver the national roll-out of real time prescription monitoring for medicines to directly address the needless loss of life from misuse of these drugs.

28 July 2017

New drug to help over 200,000 Australians

The Australian Government has taken another significant step to eliminate hepatitis C from Australia by subsidising a new drug which can treat all forms of the disease with an expected success rate of 90%.

26 July 2017

Conference Strengthens Indigenous Suicide Prevention

Leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in tackling suicide have received Australian Government scholarships to enable them to attend this week’s National Suicide Prevention Conference.

26 July 2017

FFA teams up with DonateLife in winning bid to save lives

Lifesaving organ and tissue donation is set for a boost with the Football Federation Australia and DonateLife teaming up to encourage more people to register their intentions online.

26 July 2017

More youth mental health support

Young people seeking help to deal with the pressures of life will benefit from a $500,000 Australian Government investment in better online mental health support.

23 July 2017

Health funding to protect Australians

The Australian Government is providing $27 million to strengthen the planning and response to a national health emergency, should one be triggered by bioterrorist attack or contagious disease outbreak.

18 July 2017

$116 million anti-smoking campaign key to help Closing the Gap

Australian Government initiatives are helping prevent Indigenous people from taking up smoking and to encourage existing smokers to quit.

17 July 2017

Innovation has Older Australians Sharing in Better Caring

An Australian-first online marketplace linking independent care and support workers with clients highlights the promise of innovation to improve the lives of our ageing population.

13 July 2017

AFL goes for lifesaving goal as organ donors sign up in record time

The Australian Government has unveiled a new online organ donor registration process which will save lives.

13 July 2017

Public consultation to help inform care at home reforms

The Australian Government has released a public discussion paper to help inform future care at home reforms.

12 July 2017

Coalition Government grants to boost training in general practice

More doctors, nurses and other health professionals will complete their training in regional Australia as a result of more than $13 million in Government funding for grants towards general practices in regional Australia.

11 July 2017

Consumer Level Recall of insulin cartridge

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, in consultation with the TGA, has initiated a consumer level recall of some batches of their NovoPen Echo insulin cartridge holder after detecting there is a possibility they may crack or break if exposed to chemicals in certain cleaning agents.

11 July 2017

Innovation Grants Support Dementia and Aged Care Choices

The Australian Government has released $34 million in funding grants to support innovation in dementia care and other aged care services.

11 July 2017

New $25.7 Million National Aged Care Advocacy Program

Support and guidance for seniors will be fundamental to the new National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) to be delivered by the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).

11 July 2017

Reclink national program a winner for Australia’s disadvantaged

The Australian Government is supporting Reclink’s national program which breaks down the barriers of isolation and inactivity among disadvantaged Australians to promote fitness, fun and social skills.

11 July 2017

Streamlined My Aged Care improves consumer support and access

New policies and processes have been implemented to make life easier for all consumers, particularly older people with diverse needs, and health professionals who use My Aged Care.

10 July 2017

$3.7m in additional support to improve indigenous aged care services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in aged care in regional, rural and remote communities will benefit from more than $3.7 million in one-off grants.

10 July 2017

Additional support for treatment of polio survivors

The Australian Government is providing funding of $450,000 to Polio Australia to run clinical practice workshops for health professionals to improve their awareness of post-polio syndrome.

10 July 2017

TGA to improve the handling of advertising complaints

Australia’s therapeutic goods regulator is implementing new arrangements to simplify and improve the handling of complaints about the advertising of medicines and medical devices to the public.

08 July 2017

Working with communities to deliver better health is our primary aim

The nation’s Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are being encouraged to work closely with communities to tackle health challenges and improve the wellbeing of all Australians.

04 July 2017

Central Research a Hub of Hope for Indigenous Health

A unique consortium bringing together Aboriginal community controlled health services and leading medical researchers will spearhead efforts to close the health gap in Central Australia.

04 July 2017

Family friendly housing for kidney patients

A joint housing refurbishment project has delivered accessible, family friendly homes for Northern Territory renal patients.

04 July 2017

More jobs and clinical training opportunities for young doctors

Twenty six new Regional Training Hubs will create more opportunities for young doctors to stay, study, work and live in rural and regional Australia, rather than returning to cities for all of their postgraduate training.

01 July 2017

Protecting more Australians from deadly diseases

The Australian Government is expanding the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to keep more Australians healthy and protect them against vaccine preventable diseases.

30 June 2017

Adding more medicines to the PBS to help more patients

The Australian Government continues to make medicines available and more affordable for Australians with new listings worth $142 million being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 July 2017.

29 June 2017

Boost to Practical Medical Research in Regional NSW

Patients in regional NSW, including people suffering from anxiety and depression, will soon directly benefit from an injection of Australian Government funds into health and medical research.

27 June 2017

Alisa Camplin-Warner appointed as ASC Deputy Chair

Announcement of the appointment of Alisa Camplin-Warner OAM as Deputy Chair of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) board.

27 June 2017

Infectious diseases – a global challenge

Rapid sharing of information and a shared response culture to national health emergencies is as important as the medical response.

27 June 2017

Ministerial statement on retirement homes regulation

The Australian Government will not tolerate any behaviour that leads to the exploitation of elderly and vulnerable Australians.

27 June 2017

New aged care quality standards tool highlights consumer experience

Aged care quality control and monitoring has taken an important step forward, with the national roll-out of a new device to improve evidence collection and streamline customer feedback.

27 June 2017

Scholarships to Improve Rural Health Services

A new scholarship scheme will support health professionals working in rural and regional areas to increase their skills and capabilities.

26 June 2017

New food allergy resource website for young people

Teens and young people living with severe food allergies are being encouraged to start a conversation with their peers via a new website that could potentially save their lives.

23 June 2017

New treatments for a healthier future from research innovation

A $2.2 million injection from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is set to accelerate the development of new patient treatments by Sydney Health Partners.

22 June 2017

Certainty for Eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Care Providers

Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, has continued $8 million in funding for eight providers delivering important health care services under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme (IAHP).

22 June 2017

Coalition creates history with Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner

New legislation has paved the way for the appointment of a new champion for rural health and the doctors, nurses and allied health workers who care for those living in these communities.

22 June 2017

Mersey Hospital ownership returned to Tasmania

The Mersey National Partnership Agreement and Transfer Deed have been signed by both parties, and ownership of the Mersey will officially transfer to the Tasmanian Government on 1 July.

22 June 2017

More help with medications through community pharmacies

The Australian Government is supporting the expansion of community pharmacy programs to help more patients around Australia better understand and manage their medications and avoid ill-health.

21 June 2017

Report welcomed as Government works to strengthen aged care sector

The Australian Government has welcomed the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report into the future of Australia’s aged care workforce

20 June 2017

Call for submissions for the Review of the National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes

Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has today opened submissions to the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.

20 June 2017

Streamlined Support for Aboriginal Community Health Services

Federal Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt says a new Network Funding Agreement will streamline the provision of $20 million a year in health service support through the National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation (NACCHO).

19 June 2017

Community Awareness Grants to help boost registration of organ donation decisions

The Australian Government has awarded $430,000 in Community Awareness Grants to encourage more people to join the Australian Organ Donor Register online and to discuss their donation decision with family and friends.

15 June 2017

New Board Appointment for the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority

Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, announced Dr Mal Washer as the inaugural chair of the newly established Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Board, effective 1 July 2017.

15 June 2017

Providing $400,000 life-saving drug to Australian kids with rare disease

The Australian Government will provide a life-saving treatment to Australian patients who have a rare medical condition known as Morquio A Syndrome, at no cost.

14 June 2017

Roll Up Your Sleeves for a Worthy Cause

It’s World Blood Donor Day — and we are being encouraged to roll up our sleeves and donate for a worthy cause.

12 June 2017

Supporting Big Freeze 3 with $2 million for MND clinical trials

The Australian Government is proud to be supporting clinical trials into new life-changing treatments and to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

10 June 2017

Barunga Festival: Don't Make Smokes Your Story

The Don’t Make Smokes Your Story campaign is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to quit smoking.

09 June 2017

Innovate, navigate and communicate - 28th Rural Doctors Association of Queensland Conference

Rural doctors and health professionals are meeting in Townsville to discuss current issues and future plans for health care throughout rural and regional Queensland.

09 June 2017

Supporting medical innovation to deliver better health for Australians

The Australian Government is providing $5.2 million to support researchers and small and medium start-up businesses to deliver innovative health and medical breakthroughs, and better health outcomes for Australians.

08 June 2017

$73 million to support the mental health of Australian children

The Australian Government will invest $73 million in two new mental health programs to ensure Australian children and young people receive the support they need during their school years.

07 June 2017

A Better MBS for all Australians

The clinician-led Taskforce that is reviewing more than 5,700 items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to see if they are up-to-date, has released its third round of recommendations for public consultation.

07 June 2017

Gympie to receive new youth mental health services

A new headspace youth mental health service will be established at Gympie in Queensland to help support the mental health of young people in this region.

01 June 2017

Australian Industrial Chemicals Reform

Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, has introduced a package of six Bills reforming industrial chemicals regulation in Australia.

01 June 2017

Find out about your aged care options before you need them

A variety of aged care services and support options are available to help older people remain independent and enjoying life in their communities.

31 May 2017

Collaborative Agreement Signed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt has pioneered a collaborative agreement on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, between the Australian Government and three influential national health organisations.

31 May 2017

It’s a good day to quit smoking

Smokers are being urged to take stock of their health and quit smoking this World No Tobacco Day – 31 May 2017.

28 May 2017

Providing $47 million for suicide prevention work across Australia

The Australian Government will provide a $47 million boost to front-line services for suicide prevention and directly address a growing community need.

27 May 2017

First BTF investment aims to improve lives through innovation

The development of a promising new treatment for peanut allergy in children will be the first project to receive $10 million in funding under the Australian Government’s Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF).

26 May 2017

Almost 10,000 new residential aged care places announced

The Australian Government has announced funding to give almost 10,000 more older Australians access to residential aged care services.

26 May 2017

Investing $5.9 million to tackle antimicrobial resistance

The Australian Government will invest $5.9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to help tackle the threat of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites becoming resistant to standard medical treatments.

25 May 2017

Medical research reforms to improve our future health

The Australian Government provides more than $800 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) each year to fund life-changing research.

25 May 2017

Online resource for end-of-life care

The Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, has launched a new website containing important evidence-based medical and practical information to support the provision of palliative care to older people at the end of life.

22 May 2017

Australia provides financial support to global efforts to fight infectious diseases

Australia will be providing $2 million to support international efforts to develop vaccines to fight emerging infectious diseases, the Federal Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, announced at a G20 meeting of Health Ministers in Germany.

22 May 2017

National Plan for elite sport and participation

All Australians and the sporting community are invited to play a part in shaping the Australian Government‘s new National Sport Plan.

21 May 2017

More support for Men’s Sheds across Australia

The Australian Government is providing funding for 105 Men’s Sheds across Australia to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of men in our communities.

19 May 2017

Delivering $33 million to help fund our next medical breakthrough

The Australian Government will provide $33 million to fund world-leading medical research trials and fellowships, supporting doctors and scientists to uncover the next breakthrough and improve the health of all Australians.

19 May 2017

Information Sharing on Digital Health, a Focus of Health Cooperation with Germany

Information sharing on the best uses of digital health to improve the health status of populations is a key focus of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Bilateral Health Cooperation.

18 May 2017

New headspace centre for Mandurah

The Australian Government will establish a new headspace in Mandurah to provide mental health services to young people in the region.

18 May 2017

New pathology centre delivers for Bunbury

Patients at Bunbury Regional Hospital are receiving faster diagnosis and an improved range of treatments as a result of the hospital’s redeveloped pathology centre.

17 May 2017

Walk Safely to School Day

Walking to school under supervision of a responsible adult or teenager is an easy way to provide children with healthy regular physical activity.

16 May 2017

Australia to attend G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting to advance international health cooperation

The Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, leaves for Germany to attend the first ever G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, where he will represent the Australian Government at this premier forum for international economic cooperation.

16 May 2017

Expansion of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, announced three new sites for the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are pregnant, or women pregnant with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child.

16 May 2017

Medical Research Future Fund delivering better health outcomes for Victorians

The Australian Government will provide $2 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to Monash Partners to support collaborative health and medical research into ways to make the health system work better for Victorians.

15 May 2017

Review of Community Visitors Scheme

The final report of the review into the Australian Government’s Community Visitors Scheme was released by the Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt.

15 May 2017

Strongest bulk billing rates since Medicare’s inception

More Australian patients are visiting their doctor without having to reach for their wallet than ever before, with GP bulk billing rates for the March 2017 quarter increasing to 85.6% compared to 85.1% in the same quarter last year.

12 May 2017

Celebrating the Contribution of Our Nurses and Midwives

Between International Day of the Midwife on 5 May and International Nurses Day on 12 May we proudly celebrate the contribution that nurses and midwives make to our community and our health system.

12 May 2017

Healthy Food Partnership Executive Committee Communique

The Australian Government, food industry bodies and public health groups met on 12 May 2017, to progress the work of the Healthy Food Partnership.

11 May 2017

Appointment of Panel to review National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes

The Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, announced the two person team who will conduct the independent review on national aged care quality regulatory processes.

11 May 2017

Indigenous health programs boost in the Federal Budget

The Australian Government has continued its commitment to provide better health services for Indigenous Australians with a funding boost in the Federal Budget.

11 May 2017

Services for older Australians given a boost in Federal Budget

Older Australians will benefit from the Australian Government’s 2017-18 Federal Budget with continued funding of $5.5 billion to extend funding agreements for assistance for people to stay in their own homes.

09 May 2017

Affix Label Here: Food Allergy Week

Federal Assistant Minister for Health, David Gillespie, encouraged food businesses in Australia to make sure they label their food correctly to minimise the harm and potential fatalities caused by allergic reactions to some ingredients.

06 May 2017

Budget to support establishment of world-leading proton beam therapy facility

The Turnbull Government will provide $68 million to support the establishment of Australia’s first Proton Beam Therapy facility at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide.

05 May 2017

Communique: Darwin Roundtable – Suicide Prevention

A high-level Roundtable discussion, held on May 3 on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide in Darwin, Northern Territory, chaired by Federal Minister for Indigenous Health and Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, emphasised the need for local, Indigenous controlled responses to the escalating rates of suicide in the community

05 May 2017

Supporting Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2017

The Australian Government is providing $500,000 for the historic Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2017 tournament to be held in November this year in Sydney and Brisbane.

04 May 2017

Prostheses reforms to deliver better value for private health insurance

The Australian Government is continuing to work with the private health insurance industry to make premiums more affordable for Australians.

03 May 2017

First imports of medicinal cannabis arrive in Australia

The first two commercial shipments of medicinal cannabis products to be legally imported to Australia have arrived in Melbourne and Perth, following action taken by the Australian Government.

01 May 2017

Federal Aged Care Minister to Commission Review of Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes

The Australian Government is commissioning an independent review of the Commonwealth’s aged care quality regulatory processes to determine why they did not identify the extent of the failures of care at Makk and McLeay wards, as documented in the recent South Australian Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service review.

01 May 2017

Further Strengthening No Jab, No Pay

The Australian Government believes there is no excuse for parents who, without a valid medical reason, choose not to immunise their children.

01 May 2017

Making $310 million of new vital drugs available for Australian patients

The Australian Government is continuing to subsidise more life-changing and life-saving drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as part of our rock solid commitment to ensuring that Australians have access to vital medicines when they need them.

29 April 2017

Australia leads in innovation for rural health

The Australian Government’s innovative reforms to improve the health of rural, regional and remote communities were today showcased to the 14th World Rural Health Conference.

29 April 2017

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on track with Carrara venue now open

The venue that will host the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) opening and closing ceremonies is now complete, with the purpose-built $105 million Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre in Carrara now officially opened.

29 April 2017

Smile: $11m reduces gap in rural and remote dental services

People living and working in rural and remote Australia will now have access to dental services that were previously unavailable.

28 April 2017

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué 28 April 2017

28 April 2017

Five Stars for Packaged Food Rating System

The Government’s voluntary Health Star Rating system for packaged foods has proved a resounding success, according to a report endorsed by the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation.

27 April 2017

Delivering medical training for the Sunshine Coast

The first stage of a national assessment of medical schools has been concluded and the Australian Government will collaboratively support 50 students to enable a complete university medical program to be delivered on the Sunshine Coast.

27 April 2017

New headspace centre for Whyalla

The Australian Government will establish a new headspace mental health service in Whyalla, South Australia to provide ongoing support to young people in the region.

27 April 2017

Turnbull Government to deliver $6 million for prostate cancer nurses

The Australian Government is providing almost $6 million to continue support for prostate cancer specialist nurses in 15 locations across Australia, with a focus on regional areas.

23 April 2017

New campaign to encourage further childhood vaccination

The Australian Government is rolling out a new $5.5 million immunisation awareness campaign to encourage Australian parents and carers to get their kids vaccinated.

21 April 2017

Nurses’ important contribution to Australia’s future health system

Australian Government initiatives are helping to meet the challenge of ensuring the required nursing and midwifery workforce amid rising demands for health care.

20 April 2017

Rural doctors not affected by 457 visa changes

Assistant Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie, has reassured doctors and rural communities on the impacts of the Australian Government’s changes to the temporary and permanent employer-sponsored skilled migration schemes.

19 April 2017

Budget to deliver telehealth boost for rural psychological services

People living in rural and remote regions of Australia will get the same access to psychologists as those living in our major cities, under a new telehealth initiative set to roll out later this year.

19 April 2017

Strengthening Residential Aged Care Funding

The Australian Government is continuing to explore options to strengthen the way residential aged care funding is determined.

17 April 2017

Consultation invited on reviews of aged care strategies for people from diverse backgrounds

The Australian Government is reviewing the national strategies that support the aged care needs of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) communities and people across both sectors are being encouraged to put their views.

16 April 2017

Improving Our National Organ and Tissue Donation System

The Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, released the Federal Government’s response to an independent review of how the national reform program to increase Australia’s rate of organ and tissue donation was progressing.

13 April 2017

2017 influenza vaccines now available

Vaccinations to protect Australians against four strains of this year’s influenza virus are now available – and are free of charge to those most at risk of getting sick this flu season.

13 April 2017

Federal Coalition Government announces 26 Regional Health Training Hubs and 3 new University Departments of Rural Health to boost clinical training in regional Australia

Health and medical students will have greater opportunities to live, study and work in rural and regional Australia as part of the Federal Coalition’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program – another key initiative aimed at boosting Australia’s regional and rural health workforce.

11 April 2017

Boost to drug, alcohol and Indigenous mental health treatment in Hunter and Manning regions

Treatment for alcohol and drug misuse, including ice, and Indigenous mental health services across the Hunter and Manning regions are being improved with nearly $2.8 million in Commonwealth funding.

08 April 2017

Coalition Supports Better Medical Services for Rural Mothers

A number of Australian Government initiatives will help to ease the shortage of qualified doctors available to help women giving birth in rural and regional Australia.

06 April 2017

Community Awareness Grants to help increase donor registration

The Australian Government has made available $473,000 in Community Awareness Grants to support community-based initiatives to boost the number of registered organ donors and applications are now open.

04 April 2017

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games – one year to go

On 4 April 2018 around 6600 athletes and team officials, from 70 nations and territories, will arrive on Queensland’s Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

03 April 2017

Australian guidance values for assessing exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

The outcomes of a review by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Perfluorinated Chemicals in Food, to determine the recommended tolerable daily intake values (TDI) for people potentially exposed to the contaminants collectively known as perfluoroalkyated (PFAS) substances, was released by the Australian Government on 3 April 2017.

03 April 2017

Free moves for girls at YMCA

The Australian Government’s Girls Make Your Move campaign and the YMCA have teamed up to give girls and young women a great opportunity to get active.

03 April 2017

Local Drug Action Teams rolling out across Australia to battle the scourge of ice

Community groups across Australia are joining forces under an Australian Government plan to deliver targeted local action to help tackle drug use and addiction.

01 April 2017

Free continuous glucose monitoring devices for young Australians

From today, the Turnbull Government is providing free continuous glucose monitoring devices to eligible children and people under the age of 21 years with type 1 diabetes.

30 March 2017

Reducing Indigenous smoking to Close the Gap

The Australian Government will provide $35.2 million next financial year to continue anti-smoking programs targeted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in regional and remote areas.

30 March 2017

World Bipolar Day

Each year over 4 million Australian adults experience a mental health condition. This is a shocking statistic and it highlights the significance of an issue that touches the lives of almost every family.

28 March 2017

New resources to help Indigenous Australians broach end of life discussions

A discussion starter about end of life care, specifically developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, was launched at Parliament House by the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt.

25 March 2017

Millions of Australians set to benefit from new and cheaper medicines

Going to the pharmacy is set to be cheaper from next month, with the cost of more than 1100 medicine brands being reduced and with vital new drugs being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

24 March 2017

COAG Health Council Communique - 24 March 2017

The Federal and state and territory Health Ministers met in Melbourne at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues. The meeting was chaired by the Victorian Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy.

24 March 2017

COAG Health Council Communique - 24 March 2017

The Federal and state and territory Health Ministers met in Melbourne at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues. The meeting was chaired by the Victorian Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy.

23 March 2017

Turnbull Government appoints new mental health advisory panel

The Australian Government is establishing a new mental health advisory panel to support our commitment to improve services to those that need them.

22 March 2017

Supporting community street soccer with $4 million boost

The Australian Government will provide an additional $4 million in funding over the next four years to continue The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer program.

21 March 2017

Consumer involvement in their own healthcare – key to a sustainable national health system

The Secretary of the Federal Department of Health, Martin Bowles has recognised the importance of consumer involvement in health and aged care will significantly deliver a better and more sustainable Australian health system.

21 March 2017

Funding to help sporting groups tackle illegal drugs

More than a thousand community sport clubs across the country are being encouraged to take part in an Australian Government program to reduce the impact of illegal drugs on Australian communities.

20 March 2017

First National Rural Health Commissioner a step closer

The appointment of Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner is a step closer.

17 March 2017

Coalition tackles local GP shortage head on

Steps towards solving the shortage of GPs in the Woy Woy area have been announced after a public forum was called in response to concerns raised by residents and local GPs.

16 March 2017

Dairy industry tackles food and obesity issues

Federal Assistant Health Minister and Minister responsible for food policy, Dr David Gillespie, congratulated Australia’s dairy industry for the role it is playing in helping to tackle the nation’s obesity challenge.

16 March 2017

Minister Gillespie discusses Australia’s response to radiological emergencies

Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, attended the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council meeting at Victoria’s State Control Centre.

15 March 2017

John Wylie reappointed as Australian Sports Commission Chair

Mr John Wylie has been reappointmented as Chair of the Australian Sports Commission board for a further three years.

10 March 2017

$115 million for more Commonwealth Home Support services across Australia

More older Australians will be able to continue to live independently at home and in their communities with $115 million in extra aged-care funding support from the Australian Government.

09 March 2017

Quality Aged Care – Have Your Say

Quality aged care for older people is vital for the whole community. This is why the Australian Government is introducing a Single Aged Care Quality Framework across aged care from July 2018.

08 March 2017

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health — My Life, My Lead

My Life, My Lead is a new online public consultation portal to highlight the issues that support or impede Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have good health.

08 March 2017

First licence granted for commercially grown medicinal cannabis in Australia

Access to medicinal cannabis has taken another major step forward with first licence being granted for an Australian company to grow and harvest medicinal cannabis.

08 March 2017

Turnbull Government supports female sporting leaders

The Australian Government is backing the next generation of female leaders in sport with the launch of a new initiative aimed at encouraging more participation throughout Australia and a greater representation at the elite level.

07 March 2017

$31 million boost to student training opportunities at James Cook University

Medical students in Mackay will receive greater opportunities to train under the Australian Government’s continued investment in the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

06 March 2017

Coalition to deliver more doctors for regional and rural Australia

Hundreds of new junior doctors are set to experience work as a general practitioner in regional and rural Australia through a new Australian Government initiative.

06 March 2017

RFI – Seeking advice on new IT payments system

The Australian Government is seeking to replace IT systems supporting health and aged care and related veterans’ payments.

05 March 2017

Nominations now open for Commonwealth Games baton bearers

As the countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) continues, the Australia Government is delighted to announce that nominations for baton bearers are now open.

05 March 2017

Protecting Australians from influenza in 2017

The Australian Government has secured a supply of new vaccines which protect against four strains of influenza virus for the 2017 season.

03 March 2017

Dementia Support Services in Tamworth

Federal Assistant Minister for Health Dr David Gillespie joined Local MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce in Tamworth at a local event promoting dementia services available to the community.

03 March 2017

Federal Coalition Government boosts funding for Tamworth Health Precinct

The Tamworth Health Precinct has been given a further boost thanks to the Australian Government’s announcement that Newcastle University is investing $29.24 million under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

03 March 2017

On World Hearing Day make a sound investment – get a hearing check-up

The ability to hear is something many of us take for granted and on World Hearing Day we are reminded to take care of our hearing health.

03 March 2017

Providing certainty and funding for alcohol and drug treatment services

The Australian Government will continue to support drug and alcohol treatment services across Australia with funding of more than $75 million a year.

03 March 2017

Statement on Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into doping at the Essendon Football Club

As Minister for Sport, protecting the health and wellbeing of participants in sport from doping is of the utmost concern.

01 March 2017

Call for Indigenous skills to assist Primary Health Networks

Primary Health Networks are being encouraged to consider the skills of the National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health groups to assist delivering innovative health programs to Close the Gap in health outcomes.

01 March 2017

Thousands support Gift of Life DonateLife Walk

Minister for Health and Sport, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health , Ken Wyatt, today joined thousands of Canberra residents to show their support for organ and tissue donation by participating in the annual Gift of Life Walk around Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

27 February 2017

Older Australians to have more say in delivery of home care services

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, AM, MP, has launched Increasing Choice in Home Care, which gives consumers more choice in home care services to suit their individual needs.

27 February 2017

Pathology providers guarantee to continue to provide Pap Tests for Australian women

The Federal Department of Health has reached agreement with representatives of the Australian Pathology providers which will ensure that women will be able to continue to access the current Pap Test to screen for cervical cancer until a new testing program begins on December 1 2017.

23 February 2017

National Cancer Screening Register - Statement by Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy

Due to the complexity of assimilating and migrating data from eight state and territory cancer registers into one register, the start date for Australia’s first National Cancer Screening Register has been delayed.

23 February 2017

New flexible aged care places help older Australians stay at home for longer

Thousands of Australians will benefit from an innovative new form of flexible aged care that will help older people remain in their own homes for longer after injury or illness.

23 February 2017

Record results for bulk-billing shows Medicare is stronger than ever.

Australian patients are getting more benefit from Medicare than ever before with GP bulk billing rates jumping to 85.4 per cent during the second half of 2016.

23 February 2017

Roadmap Roundtable considers next steps in aged care reform

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP, has met with about 100 aged-care consumers and providers to consider the Government’s next steps in the reform of Australia’s $16 billion aged care sector.

23 February 2017

Suicide prevention support for Grafton community

Grafton will be the first location in Australia to get one of ten new headspace youth mental health services, providing an increase in support available to young people and their families during times of need.

22 February 2017

Action to deliver faster supply of medicinal cannabis products

The Australian Government will facilitate faster access by qualified doctors to medicinal cannabis for patients with the necessary approvals.

22 February 2017

New CEO for Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, today announced that the Board of Food Standards Australia and New Zealand has appointed Mr Mark Booth as the new CEO of the internationally esteemed food standards agency.

22 February 2017

Funding delivered to open gut research centre

The Australian Government has delivered on its election commitment to provide $4 million funding to make Australia’s first dedicated micro gut health research centre a reality.

21 February 2017

$27 million for better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes

New funding of $27m for child and maternal health programs and primary health care will help keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children healthy and ready to learn when they start school and ensure they are properly immunised.

20 February 2017

Turnbull Government committed to tackling obesity

The Australian Government is taking action to tackle the challenge of obesity and encourage all Australians to live healthy lives.

20 February 2017

UWA leads on student online life-saving organ donor plan

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is the first university in Australia to encourage students to help save lives by joining the Australian Organ Donor Register online.

19 February 2017

David Hookes cricket match celebrates donors giving others a life-saving second innings

The Federal Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, MP, joined cricketers in Bendigo, Victoria, to celebrate the second innings of life made possible through organ and tissue donation.

19 February 2017

More action to inspire Australian girls to get active

The Australian Government is taking action to inspire Australia’s young girls and women to get active – with the launch of the next phase of the Girls Make Your Move campaign.

18 February 2017

$93M investment for health workforce agencies

A national network of agencies will be redesigned to deliver better health outcomes for people living in regional, rural and remote Australia.

17 February 2017

Advocacy in Aged Care Takes a Step Forward

A nationally consistent approach to the delivery of aged care advocacy services to help those ‘lost in the system’ is a step closer with the development of the draft National Aged Care Advocacy Framework and the opening of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program funding round.

17 February 2017

National Medical Training Advisory Network meets with Minister to discuss Australia’s health workforce challenge

Federal Assistant Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie, will meet in Melbourne with members of the National Medical Training Advisory Network (NMTAN) to progress crucial work on medical education and training in Australia.

16 February 2017

Turnbull Government has committed $200m to research on dementia

The Australian Government welcomes today’s release of the Alzheimer’s Australia report on the economic cost of dementia in Australia.

15 February 2017

Ensuring safe and responsible supply of medicinal cannabis

The Australian Government is taking further action to enable the safe and legal distribution of medicinal cannabis products for adults and children suffering from painful and chronic conditions.

15 February 2017

Statement on the retirement of Mike Fitzpatrick

As a player and administrator, Mike Fitzpatrick has made an enormous contribution to the great game of AFL.

10 February 2017

$8 Million for Expanded Lighthouse Hospital Project

The Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has announced $8 million to expand a project that is transforming hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

10 February 2017

Healthy Food Partnership – Tackling Australia’s Obesity Crisis

Tackling Australia’s obesity crisis is a high priority for the Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, who chaired the sixth meeting of the Healthy Food Partnership in Canberra to discuss action on providing consumers with healthier food choices.

10 February 2017

Indigenous All Stars game tackles Indigenous smoking

The NRL Indigenous All Stars game in Newcastle is helping spread the word to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians that a smoke-free life is better than scoring a try when it comes to better health and wellbeing.

10 February 2017

Lowest health insurance premium increases in a decade

The Australian Government’s action to keep the pressure on private health insurers has helped drive the lowest premium price rise in ten years.

08 February 2017

Australia's First National Rural Health Commissioner: The Champion of Regional and Rural Health Reform

Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner will be an independent and high-profile advocate for regional, rural and remote health.

08 February 2017

Child dental benefit cap to be $1000

The Australian Government is increasing the rebate available under the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) to $1000 per child for treatment over a two year period.

08 February 2017

Professor Julie Quinlivan to head Professional Services Review

Professor Julie Quinlivan has been appointed as the Director of the Professional Services Review (PSR).

08 February 2017

Statement on Mr Ben McDevitt

The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), Mr Ben McDevitt AM APM, has advised the Government that he has decided to step down as head of ASADA, from 5 May 2017.

07 February 2017

Aussie kids given immediate access to life-changing cystic fibrosis drug

From 7 February, children aged two to five will have immediate and free access to Kalydeco® (ivacaftor) – a life-changing drug that addresses the causes of cystic fibrosis rather than just the symptoms.

06 February 2017

Major suicide prevention trial extended to four more regions

Four more regions across Australia with higher than average suicide rates will be the latest communities to take part in a $46 million trial aimed at delivering better mental health services.

04 February 2017

$125 million to help our scientists make the next great medical discovery

The Australian Government is backing Australia’s world-leading medical researchers and scientists with $125.3 million to support their work in making the next major medical breakthrough.

02 February 2017

Kimberley Suicide Prevention Working Group meeting in Broome

Today’s meeting of key partners in the Kimberley Suicide Prevention Trial marks another important step to tackle the unacceptably high rate of Indigenous suicide in the Kimberley.

01 February 2017

Changes in WA home support aged care services

A new arrangement for home and community care and specialist disability services in Western Australia will result in the creation of a truly national aged care system and more integrated disability services for people aged 65 and over.

01 February 2017

Making more cancer drugs affordable for all Australians

From 1 February, Australians have subsidised access to new drugs for ovarian and lung cancer – which would otherwise cost more than $100,000 per course of treatment – but are now available for just $6.30 for concessional patients and $38.80 for general patients.

31 January 2017

Access to Aged Care in Western Australia

Older people in Western Australia will benefit from the Australian Government’s decision to provide short-term funding for additional transition care places.

31 January 2017

Health Star Rating campaign to step up in Adelaide supermarkets this Sunday

Adelaide shoppers will start to see marketing of the Health Star Rating (HSR) campaign step up a gear as they make their way around their local supermarket from Sunday.

30 January 2017

Government announces improvements to Australian General Practice Training as part of Health Workforce reforms

The Australian Government has announced another important component of its significant health workforce reform agenda, handing the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program selection to the two General Practice Colleges.

30 January 2017

Innovating Technologies Supporting Aged Care

A centre, showcasing the innovative use of technology for aged care, is now servicing regional NSW and Queensland.

30 January 2017

Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Statement from the Chair

25 January 2017

2017 Senior Australian of the Year

The Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, MP welcomed the announcement of Sister Anne Gardiner AM as the 2017 Senior Australian of the Year.

24 January 2017

$8.5 Million in Additional Funding for Aged Care Services in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia

Targeted, flexible and tailored services for older Australians—no matter where they live—are at the heart of the Australian Government’s aged care services reforms.

20 January 2017

Health Stars Help Tackle Obesity

The Australian Government has announced a new national public awareness campaign to promote the front of pack health stars on packaged foods in an effort to help tackle Australia’s obesity epidemic.

18 January 2017

Appointment as Assistant Minister for Health

Assistant Minister for Rural Health Dr David Gillespie has welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister that Greg Hunt will be appointed the new Minister for Health & Sport.

18 January 2017

Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health Appointment

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP has welcomed the appointment of Greg Hunt as the new Minister for Health.

15 January 2017

Record number of Australian lives saved

The Federal Government has announced a record number of Australian lives saved as a result of a surge in the donation of deceased organs in 2016.

12 January 2017

New appointments to the Aged Care Financing Authority

ssistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP has announced three new appointments to the Aged Care Financing Authority (ACFA).

23 December 2016

Applications open today for local community drug action teams to tackle ice

A program to help local communities tackle the impact of ice through 220 community-based local action teams across Australia over the next four years has been announced,as part of the National Ice Action Strategy.

23 December 2016

Australian Advisory Council on the Medicinal Use of Cannabis.

Dr Andrew Southcott will chair the new Australian Advisory Council on the Medicinal Use of Cannabis.

19 December 2016

2016-2017 MYEFO Drives Health Reform

The 2016–17 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook further advances the Turnbull Government’s health reform agenda.

18 December 2016

MORE HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA

The Turnbull Government will invest close to $130 million to give Australians with severe uncontrolled asthma subsidised access to breakthrough medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

16 December 2016

More training opportunities for health and medical students in Mildura

Health and medical students in Mildura will have even more opportunities to expand their skills as part of the Australian Government’s continued investment in rural health training through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

16 December 2016

Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation

During negotiations for the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) in 2015 the Australian Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia made a commitment to conduct an independent Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation (the Review). A final report will be provided to the Minister for Health by May 2017.

15 December 2016

Continued dental funding for States from 1 January 2017

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, announced Federal funding arrangements for dental services from 1 January 2017

15 December 2016

New package to help improve aged care for care leavers launched

Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants, Stolen Generations and their families will benefit from an aged care resource package.

15 December 2016

The passing of Anne Deveson

It is with great sadness that the Australian Government mourns the passing earlier this week of Anne Deveson – acclaimed Australian journalist, broadcaster, filmmaker, social commentator, activist, author and leading mental health advocate.

14 December 2016

Launch of the National Framework for Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families

The National Framework for Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families will help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to get a better start in life.

14 December 2016

Tackling Australia’s new health workforce challenge

Twenty years ago, Australia faced one of its most significant health workforce challenges. With a limited supply of doctors at the time, the Howard Government implemented a successful suite of policies which has been supported by successive governments in addressing this challenge. This led to the doubling of medical graduates, the expansion of medical training places and medical workforce growth over the last two decades.

14 December 2016

The Government delivering quality and stability in aged care

The Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley MP, and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP announced the reappointment of Australia’s inaugural Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, Ms Rae Lamb, for a second term to January 2020.

13 December 2016

$500 million fund will help build Australia’s biomedical industry of the future

The Australian Government has launched the $500 million Biomedical Translation Fund, established under the government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.

12 December 2016

Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research funding passes $110m

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, and Cancer Australia announced a further $10.39 million in funding for cancer research through Cancer Australia’s Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS).

11 December 2016

Hundreds to benefit from Women Leaders in Sport grants in 2017

The Australian Government will provide more than $500,000 in grants in 2017 to continue the development of female leaders in sport.

09 December 2016

Health workforce scholarship arrangements for 2017

The Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie has provided an update on the interim health workforce scholarship arrangements for the 2017 study year.

09 December 2016

Health workforce scholarship arrangements for 2017

The Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie has provided an update on the interim health workforce scholarship arrangements for the 2017 study year.

08 December 2016

AusPlay shows children need to get more active

Fifty four per cent of children aged under 14 years are active at least once a week in organised sport or physical activity after school hours, the most comprehensive survey of Australians’ sporting activity and motivation has found.

08 December 2016

NSW Rural Doctors Network office opening

NSW Rural Doctors Network today opened new offices in Newcastle that will become a hub for rural health practitioners and organisations to the benefit of thousands of rural and remote communities across New South Wales.

06 December 2016

New Funding Arrangements for Residential Aged Care

The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, has outlined a revised package of aged-care funding measures to ensure the sector is funded and sustainable into the future.

03 December 2016

$2.8 Million for Cure4MND Research

Funding to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease received a boost with the Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, Sussan Ley, presenting Neale Daniher and the Cure4MND Foundation a cheque for $2.8 million.

03 December 2016

Australia’s biggest clinical trial part of $483m health research grants

The largest clinical trial ever undertaken in Australia is among $483 million in grants for health and medical research funding announced by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley.

02 December 2016

Kentish Health Centre

Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie, moved today to set the record straight about health care services for the Kentish community in Tasmania.

02 December 2016

Multi-million dollar boost for Health training in Lismore

Health and medical students will have greater opportunities to undertake training and clinical placements at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore, New South Wales.

01 December 2016

50,000 preschools to receive free water safety education packs

Summer can be a time of fun in the sun and in the water, but it is also a time to be extra careful about children’s water safety.

01 December 2016

Patients gain subsidised access to expensive new medicines

Australians from 1 December will pay no more than $38.30 for a medicine to treat thyroid cancer that would cost a patient $117,000 without subsidised access through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

30 November 2016

Advertising helps Indigenous smokers to quit

A significant portion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers have taken action to quit smoking after seeing the Don’t Make Smokes Your Story advertising campaign.

30 November 2016

Advertising helps Indigenous smokers to quit

A significant portion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers have taken action to quit smoking after seeing the Don’t Make Smokes Your Story advertising campaign.

30 November 2016

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week

Funding to conduct a survey to better understand why young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at increased risk of blood borne viruses (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI) has been announced.

30 November 2016

New Report Provides Snapshot of Aged Care in Australia

A new snapshot of aged care services has found the sector is performing well, with increased funding and reforms beginning to deliver benefits for older Australians.

29 November 2016

Health Care Homes’ voluntary trial scheduled for mid-2017

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, said the Australian Government was committed to its Health Care Homes program to find better ways of delivering medical services to an ageing population with one in two Australian living with a chronic condition.

28 November 2016

National mental health charity achieves 30-year milestone

For 30 years SANE Australia has provided help and support to Australians experiencing mental health issues.

25 November 2016

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué 25 November 2016

Communiqué of outcomes from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation teleconference held on 25 November 2016.

25 November 2016

Food Safety Website now live for industry and consumers

Australian ministers and the New Zealand minister responsible for food have released a revamped food safety website designed to give stakeholders better access to information about the joint Australian and New Zealand food regulation system.

18 November 2016

Lismore Hospital redevelopment to deliver improved health services

The finalisation of a major stage of the Lismore Hospital redevelopment project will deliver improved health services for people throughout the NSW Far North Coast.

18 November 2016

Rural General Practice Grants

Teaching, training and retaining the next generation of health workers in rural, regional and remote Australia is a priority for the Australian Government.

16 November 2016

Australia’s rural health workforce is a top priority for Coalition Government: third rural health stakeholder roundtable

The third Rural Health Stakeholder Roundtable was held at Parliament House in Canberra on the 16 November 2016.

16 November 2016

Immunisation for better Indigenous health

Health services have been encouraged to use innovative methods to ensure that communities receive vital vaccinations.

15 November 2016

Australians invited to honour all living and deceased donors and their families

Australians are being encouraged to take part in the national DonateLife Thank You Day to honour all living and deceased organ and tissue donors and their families for their generosity which saves and transforms lives.

14 November 2016

ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK: how we can all help fight antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic Awareness Week is a global health initiative to alert everyone to the serious health threat posed by antibiotic resistance.

14 November 2016

Men's Sheds Support Men's Health Across Australia

The Australian Government is investing in the promotion and support of men’s health and wellbeing through the announcement of funding towards nearly 100 Men’s Sheds across the country.

13 November 2016

Community Pharmacies to Help Detect Diabetes

Community pharmacies will play a larger role in the early detection of type 2 diabetes.

10 November 2016

National Plan to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

Humans and animals will be better protected from the immediate global threat of antimicrobial resistance under the Australian Government’s new plan, developed in partnership with health professionals, research communities, veterinarians and agricultural industries.

10 November 2016

Robyn Kruk AM to Chair Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board

Ms Robyn Kruk AM will be appointed as Chair of the Board of Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

08 November 2016

Australian Food and Grocery Council Industry Leaders Forum

Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie, addressed the Australian Food and Grocery Council Industry Leaders Forum as Australian and global food, grocery and beverage companies met in Canberra.

08 November 2016

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities tackle smoking

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will benefit from innovative projects to tackle smoking, through new grants awarded to seven organisations under the Australian Government’s $116.8 million Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.

07 November 2016

$34 million for Dementia and Aged Care Services research

Applications are now open for the Dementia and Aged Care Services (DACS) Research and Innovation Funding Round.

07 November 2016

National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week

Australian women are being encouraged to make sure they are up to date with their cervical screening and Gardasil vaccinations.

04 November 2016

$20.5 million to continue funding for McGrath Breast Care Nurses

The Australian Government announced $20.5 million in new funding for McGrath Breast Care Nurses to ensure ongoing support for people being treated for breast cancer.

04 November 2016

Australian Sports Foundation raises record funds for sport

The Australian Sports Foundation has reported a record $32 million has been fundraised for sport, via tax deductible donations in 2015-16.

04 November 2016

Medical practices can apply for stage one of Health Care Homes

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, has announced that medical practices in selected regions around Australia can apply for stage one of Health Care Homes.

04 November 2016

Supporting elderly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem, Northern Territory

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM MP, has announced the successful service provider to develop and operate a new Flexible Aged Care Service in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem in the Northern Territory.

03 November 2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kids’ Immunisation Rates Topping the Nation

The Australian Immunisation Register quarterly data shows childhood immunisation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has gone up across the board.

03 November 2016

Childhood Cancer Network receives $20 million to help children with cancer

The Zero Childhood Cancer Collaboration Network received $20m from the Australian Government to help improve health outcomes for children with cancer.

02 November 2016

National Vaccination Program Expanded

Seventy-year-old Australians can now get the shingles vaccine for free.

31 October 2016

Australian Government boosts funding for Manning Health Precinct

The Taree Health Precinct has been given a further boost thanks to the Australian Government’s announcement that Newcastle University will receive $29.24 million between 2016 and 2018 under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

30 October 2016

Medicinal cannabis scheme licence applications open

Businesses can now apply for a licence to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes, to manufacture medicinal cannabis products or to conduct medicinal cannabis related research under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme.

28 October 2016

Australian Government boosts funding to support Geraldton Health Precinct

The Geraldton Health Precinct has been given a further boost thanks to the Australian Government’s announcement that the University of Western Australia will receive $39.8-million between 2016 and 2018 under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.

28 October 2016

Taking sport integrity to schools

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, has launched a suite of lesson plans to help high school students learn about sports integrity topics like doping, match-fixing and illicit drug use.

27 October 2016

Government invests a further $190 million in health and medical research, including $10.6 million to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research

The Australian Government has announced a further $190 million in health and medical research, including a $10.6 million investment supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.

26 October 2016

Nurses are critical to delivery of health care reforms

Nurses are essential to making Australia’s $71 billion health system more efficient and effective in meeting the health needs of Australians.

25 October 2016

Federal Coalition Government boosts funding for Dubbo Health Precinct

The Dubbo Health Precinct has been given a further boost thanks to the Australian Government’s announcement that Sydney University will receive $51.7 million between 2016 and 2018 under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program.

24 October 2016

Community pharmacy trial grants now open

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, announced the Tranche 2 grants round of the Pharmacy Trial Program.

24 October 2016

Patient Day for Lung and Ovarian Cancer Patients in Taree

Lung and ovarian cancer patients in Taree participated in a community organised event to provide support for these people and their loved ones, and raise awareness about the needs of cancer patients in rural areas.

21 October 2016

Australians Make Healthier Choices With Health Star Ratings

More Australians are choosing healthier packaged foods, thanks to the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, according to new campaign evaluation research.

20 October 2016

Consultation welcome on draft Fifth National Mental Health Plan

The community is being invited to have their say on a new national plan that aims to improve the lives of people with mental health issues.

20 October 2016

Rural Medicine Australia Conference

Regional, rural and remote health reform is one of the Australian Government’s key health priorities.

19 October 2016

Digital payments IT system replacement

The Australian Government will replace the IT system to deliver reliable and accurate health, aged care and veterans’ payments.

19 October 2016

Turnbull Government to ease pressure on private health insurance premiums

The Australian Government will reduce the cost of thousands of medical devices ranging from pacemakers and lenses to knees and hips by half-a-billion dollars to take pressure off private health insurance premiums for Australians.

17 October 2016

Opening of the Commonwealth Home Support Program Growth Funding Round

Existing and prospective aged care providers of Commonwealth Home Support Program services are invited to apply for funding to support older people to live independently within their communities.

14 October 2016

Kimberley Roundtable – Suicide Prevention

A high-level Roundtable discussion on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide in the Western Australian Kimberley region, emphasised the need for local, Indigenous controlled responses to the escalating rates of suicide in the community.

13 October 2016

New Survey Provides Valuable Data on the Status of Eye Health Conditions

The Australian Government has launched the National Eye Health Survey Report on the prevalence and causes of vision impairment and blindness around the nation.

11 October 2016

Launch of Nursing White Paper on Health Reform

The Australian Government has acknowledged an important White Paper, prepared by the Australian College of Nursing, which details the role of nurses in future health and aged care reform.

11 October 2016

National Day to Focus on Youth Mental Health

Sometimes acknowledging that you need help and reaching out is the hardest part but on headspace Day young Australians around the country are being reminded that mental health is important and help is always available.

10 October 2016

Boost to mental health services underway

This World Mental Health Day (10 October) the Australian Government has re-affirmed its commitment to trialling innovative approaches in delivering mental health services, in an effort to curb rates of suicide around the country.

09 October 2016

Mental Health Week: Everyone’s priority - 9 October 2016

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has used the start of Mental Health Week (9 October – 15 October) to promote community awareness about mental health issues and remind Australians about the importance of the social and emotional wellbeing of themselves, their families, loved ones and communities.

07 October 2016

COAG Health Council Communique - 7 October 2016

The Federal and state and territory Health Ministers met in Canberra at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues. The meeting was chaired by the Victorian Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy.

06 October 2016

Coalition Government announces regional training hub funding round

Attendees at the Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators (FRAME) meeting were reminded that rural and remote health is built on the commitment, expertise and courage of the regional, rural and remote health workforce.

05 October 2016

Aged Care Complaints Commissioner releases first annual report

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM MP have welcomed the release of the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner’s first annual report today.

29 September 2016

Data update

Researchers relying on information in a sample of data extracted from Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits and Medicare Benefits schemes that was withdrawn recently from the data.gov.au website are advised that work is continuing to restore the dataset as soon as possible.

25 September 2016

Go online to check on cheaper medicines

Millions of consumers will be able to access more affordable medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October – and they can go online to check the savings they will make.

23 September 2016

One year of Sporting Schools and right on target

Federal Minister for Health and Sport, The Hon. Sussan Ley says there has been an overwhelming response to the Sporting Schools program since it began a year ago.

22 September 2016

David Tune to Lead Major Review of Aged Care Reforms

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP announced the appointment of David Tune AO PSM to lead the Aged Care Legislated Review.

22 September 2016

Minister praises inspiring Paralympians

Federal Sports Minister Sussan Ley has congratulated Australia’s Paralympic team on its performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, following the squad’s return home to Australia.

21 September 2016

Dementia diagnosed every 3 seconds worldwide

Every 3 seconds one person worldwide is diagnosed with dementia – a group of conditions, which affects over 350,000 Australians and 46 million people worldwide.

20 September 2016

Funding boost means more students access increased training opportunities in Whyalla

Health and medical students in Whyalla and a number of other locations throughout rural and regional areas of South Australia will receive greater opportunities to undertake their training, as a part of an Australian Government initiative.

19 September 2016

Opening of the 2016-17 Aged Care Approvals Round

Existing and prospective aged care providers are encouraged to apply for allocations from the more than 10,000 national residential aged care places and 475 Short-Term Restorative Care places for 2016-17.

16 September 2016

Advocating for better aged care services

Advocates and consumers are being encouraged to have their say to help inform the design of future aged care advocacy services that focus on individual advocacy support.

16 September 2016

Improved dementia support through program redesign

Two associations have been selected to deliver a national dementia behaviour management service and a streamlined training program to better support people with dementia and their carers.

16 September 2016

World First Cancer Centre Targets Childhood Leukemia

A world-leading Australian research centre will analyse cancer proteins with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment, initially focussing on childhood leukemia.

15 September 2016

Drowning takes fewer infants but more men

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has urged Australians to take care around waterways, following the launch of the 2015-16 Royal Life Saving Society Australia’s (RLSSA) National Drowning Report.

15 September 2016

Reform of Regulation of Medicines and Medical Devices

Cancer patients could potentially have access to some new medicines two years earlier than at present under changes to the regulation of medicines and medical devices announced by the Australian Government.

14 September 2016

Landmark medicinal cannabis legislation to be further strengthened

The Australian Government has introduced important legislation to ensure security and law and order is maintained.

13 September 2016

Australia’s health 2016 reports a healthy nation

A new snapshot of Australia’s health has found we are living longer than ever before, but the rise of chronic disease still presents challenges in achieving equal health outcomes for Indigenous Australians and people living outside metropolitan areas.

11 September 2016

New CEO for Mental Health Commission

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, has announced that Dr Peggy Brown has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Mental Health Commission.

10 September 2016

Connect, Communicate and Care to Help Save a Life

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, MP said World Suicide Prevention Day, and this year’s theme of ‘connect, communicate and care’, like RUOK? Day, highlights the importance of starting a conversation.

09 September 2016

Funding boost for Women’s Health organisation

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has announced funding of $8.25 million until 2019 to women’s health organisation Jean Hailes, to expand its education and outreach work.

09 September 2016

International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day

The importance of not consuming alcohol during pregnancy is highlighted through International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day.

09 September 2016

Review of safety standards for PFAS chemicals released

The independent report on the human health reference values for per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has been released.

09 September 2016

Review should allay fears on PFAS contamination standards

Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Hobbs, today welcomed the findings of an independent evaluation of standards for water contamination by per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).

08 September 2016

Paralympians to make Australia proud

Minster for Sport Sussan Ley has wished Australia’s 178 Australian athletes the very best for the 15th Paralympic Games in Rio, saying the country would be cheering them on.

08 September 2016

Three little words could save a life

R U OK? Sometimes it’s the simplest words that are the hardest to say, but today we are being encouraged to start a conversation with someone if we notice they are struggling to cope.

07 September 2016

Rural and Remote Health Needs Commitment

Rural and remote health is built on the commitment, the expertise and the courage of the rural and remote health workforce the Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie, told a symposium on rural and remote health research in Canberra.

06 September 2016

Medicare items review backed by health professionals, patients

The majority of health professionals and patients support the Australian Government’s commitment to ensure every taxpayer dollar invested in Medicare delivers clinically-relevant, up-to-date and safe care, a new study has found.

06 September 2016

You Are Not Alone during Dementia Awareness Month

September is Dementia Awareness month, and with one-in-10 Australians over the age of 65 affected, we’re being encouraged to help sufferers feel less isolated and alone.

05 September 2016

WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK: supporting women’s health in a changing world 5-9 September 2016

Women’s Health Week is putting the focus on the health of Australian women and girls, with a range of events across the country and online activities to get women thinking about their health, and taking action to improve it.

04 September 2016

More than 2000 medicine brands to drop in price

More than 2000 medicine brands treating common conditions will drop in price for millions of Australians from next month – some by as much as 50 per cent or more – with the Turnbull Government delivering a win-win for consumers and taxpayers.

03 September 2016

New medicine labels to promote safer use for consumers

New consumer labels on medicines are being introduced to provide simpler instructions and to address safety concerns for people with allergies and reduce accidental overdose.

02 September 2016

Get your team jersey on to spark a lifesaving conversation

The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ken Wyatt AM MP is urging Australians to wear their favourite team colours for Jersey Day on Friday September 2 to help spark a conversation about organ donation.

31 August 2016

New National Cancer Register aims to save lives

Health Minister Sussan Ley will introduce the National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 to establish a new national register.

26 August 2016

Healthy Food Partnership Communiqué

24 August 2016

Doctor Numbers Rise but Need for Better Distribution

A new report showing a major increase in the number of doctors working in Australia demonstrates successive Government policies over the past 20 years have been working.

24 August 2016

Welcome home Rio Olympians

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has welcomed home Australia’s 2016 Rio Olympic team.

24 August 2016

Zika & Rio – ‘Precaution best protection’ on return

Minister for Health Sussan Ley is reminding Australians heading home from the Rio Olympic Games to be conscious of Zika virus and exercise “precaution as the best protection”.

22 August 2016

Hearing Awareness Week

It’s Hearing Awareness Week – with this year’s theme, hearing is precious and fragile, reminding us how important our hearing is, and that once damaged, it cannot be repaired.

14 August 2016

Diabetes breakthrough part of $70m PBS medicines listings

As many as 20,000 Australians living with Type 2 diabetes will find it easier and cheaper to manage their condition every day thanks to the Turnbull Government subsidising another $70 million round of new revolutionary medicines that will also help save the lives of women with advanced cervical cancer.

13 August 2016

Suicide prevention trial for Kimberley region

The Turnbull Government will establish a landmark suicide prevention trial site in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region, helping lead the way in tackling suicide rates in indigenous communities across the country.

11 August 2016

Government supports veterans and ADF personnel

The Australian Government will increase support for veterans and ADF members, including an employment initiative to support people moving from military service to civilian life.

04 August 2016

Independent Review of toxicity levels of PFAS chemicals

The Australian Government today honoured its commitment to investigate the potential risks to human health from the long term use of legacy fire fighting foams.

03 August 2016

New biomedical fund to capitalise on our research and entrepreneurial strengths

A new fund to accelerate the development and commercialisation of Australian biomedical discoveries is now officially launched.

02 August 2016

Commonwealth Ministers to meet in Rio ahead of Gold Coast 2018

Federal Minister for Sport Sussan Ley departs for Rio 2016 to chair the 8th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting ahead of the XXXI Olympic Games.

02 August 2016

Growing at one every 38 seconds the My Health Record hits 4 million!

Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced the number of people with a My Health Record has surpassed 4 million, or around 17 per cent of all Australians.

01 August 2016

Appointment of CEO for the Australian Digital Health Agency

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, has announced the appointment of Mr Tim Kelsey as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Digital Health Agency which is responsible for all national digital health services and systems.

28 July 2016

Thousands of Australians now Hep C Free

The Australian Government’s watershed commitment to eradicate Hepatitis C within a generation is paying off, with thousands of Australians now Hep C Free as a result of a $1 billion investment.

27 July 2016

Ensuring Australians get most from community pharmacy

The Australian Government is ensuring Australians get the best experience possible from community pharmacy and wants to hear from the entire pharmaceutical supply chain – including consumers – on how to deliver it.

26 July 2016

Young Australians encouraged to take the lead – don’t delay, register today

The Australian Government is urging young Australians to put their good intentions about organ donation into effect by registering and sharing their decision online.

25 July 2016

Australia’s response to IOC Russia decision

The Australian Government notes the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision and the Australian Olympic Committee’s (AOC) endorsement of it.

18 July 2016

Appointment as Minister for Health, Aged Care & Sport

It is an honour to be reappointed as Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport.

13 July 2016

Retirement of Chief Medical Officer

The Secretary of the federal Department of Health, Martin Bowles, has announced that Professor Chris Baggoley will retire as Australia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on July 15.

22 June 2016

Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Secretary’s Series Address

Martin Bowles, Secretary, Department of Health, gave a public address at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) event on 21 June 2016.

26 May 2016

National Cancer Screening Register

Following a competitive tender process that commenced on 10 August last year, the Federal Department of Health has appointed Telstra Health to develop and operate the new National Cancer Screening Register.

06 May 2016

Olympic gold medallist appointed to Australian Sports Commission

Federal Sports Minister Sussan Ley has appointed Olympic gold medallist Danielle Roche to the board of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

05 May 2016

Community Awareness Grants awarded to help boost registration of donation decisions

Assistant Minister for Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has announced almost $400,000 in Community Awareness Grants to enable 17 organisations to help encourage more Australians to join the Australian Organ Donor Register online and to discuss their decision with family and friends.

02 May 2016

Matildas hit Canberra to launch final preparations for RIO 2016

Minister for Sport Sussan Ley has announced the latest round of funding for the national side and other Olympic hopefuls, and renewed support for grassroots female football participation.

01 May 2016

New anti-smoking campaign aims to Close the Gap

The Coalition Government will launch the latest phase of the National Tobacco Campaign tonight as it aims to Close the Gap in smoking rates.

29 April 2016

Empowering children with diabetes

A new resource for schools to help their students with diabetes has been launched by Minister for Health Sussan Ley.

23 April 2016

Turnbull Govt to double public dental investment

The Turnbull Government will deliver the largest-ever Commonwealth-investment in frontline public dental services to ensure those who need it most, such as children and adult concession card holders, do not fall through the cracks.

21 April 2016

Australia Funds UN Action on Illicit Drugs

Australia has pledged $200,000 to two United Nations initiatives which aim to reduce the human toll caused by the global trade in illicit drugs.

20 April 2016

Could over 40,000 cancer cases in Australia be prevented?

Minister for Health Sussan Ley today launched Check Your Cancer Risk, an interactive online tool to help people understand how lifestyle factors can contribute to their risk of cancer.

17 April 2016

New online approach to beating illicit drug use in sport

A new free online tool will help guide and support athletes, coaches and sports administrators on the potential consequences of illicit drug use in sport.

11 April 2016

New guidelines for organ transplantation released

A record number of Australians benefited from receiving an organ transplant in 2015 with 1,241 Australians receiving a life changing transplant from the generosity of 435 deceased donors and their families.

08 April 2016

New four-strain flu vaccine available from this month

A new four-strain flu vaccine, protecting against the nasty Brisbane virus, is being made available for at-risk Australians for free from this month by the Australian Government.

06 April 2016

Statement from Minister Nash following meeting of remote health providers

Statement from Minister Nash following meeting of remote health providers

04 April 2016

Appointments to the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board

The Australian Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund has taken another important step towards delivering Australia’s unlimited potential in realising life-saving and life-changing medical breakthroughs.

03 April 2016

Cheaper medicines from this weekend

Millions of prescriptions for common medicines, treating everything from cholesterol to high blood pressure, will drop in price for consumers by as much as $20 – or 60 per cent – from this weekend, many for the first time, Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced today.

31 March 2016

A Healthier Medicare for chronically-ill patients

The Australian Government will revolutionise the way we care for Australians with chronic diseases and complex conditions – aiming to keep them out-of-hospital and living happier and healthier lives at home.

31 March 2016

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué 31 March 2016

Communiqué of outcomes from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation meeting held on 31 March 2016 by teleconference.

30 March 2016

Statement from Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash

Statement from Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash following the death of remote area nurse Gayle Woodford in the NPY lands.

24 March 2016

Unite to end TB on World Tuberculosis Day

Today marks World TB Day, a timely reminder that while we are fortunate to have low rates of tuberculosis (TB) in Australia, the threat is still present in our region.

23 March 2016

What single test can save up to 500 Australian lives every year?

In a renewed bid to cut the incidence of bowel cancer, the Australian Government launched A Gift for Living campaign on 23 March 2016.

18 March 2016

$910 million boost creates over 17,000 new aged care places

Thousands of Australians will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with the Australian Government announcing 17,385 new aged care places worth an estimated $910 million.

17 March 2016

National Rural Health Student Network celebrates milestone

Minister for Rural Health, Fiona Nash, has congratulated the National Rural Health Student Network on 21 years of operation and the promotion of rural health careers.

11 March 2016

Government Supports Closing the Gap in Eye Health

Senator Fiona Nash, Minister for Rural Health and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, has announced $2.5 million in funding to provide continued support to the Indigenous Eye Health Unit at the University of Melbourne.

11 March 2016

Health Secretary outlines the challenges of health reform to Committee for Economic Development of Australia

The broad reform agenda that the Australian Government is embarking on in health is being enthusiastically embraced by the Federal Department of Health as it moves to better deliver strategic policy advice and action.

06 March 2016

Greater transparency needed to help consumers debunk junk policies

Minister for Health Sussan Ley's statement regarding private health insurance policies.

04 March 2016

My Health Record gets one million more reasons to sign up

The number of Australians with a digital health record will jump by more than a million, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving health outcomes and saving lives through digital innovation and information sharing.

03 March 2016

$129.4 million in grants to support medical research

The Australian Government has awarded $129.4 million in grants to Australia’s preeminent researchers.

01 March 2016

Health premiums hit 4 year low after record resubmissions

Health insurance premium increases will hit a four year-low in 2016 after a record number of insurers resubmitted lower price rises in response to a direct request from Minister for Health Sussan Ley.

01 March 2016

Hep C cures available today for as low as $6.20 a prescription

Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced Australians with Hep C would now pay just $6.20 a prescription if they were a concession card holder or $38.30 a prescription as a general patient for four different cures listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

29 February 2016

Figures reveal Ice Taskforce was the right call

New figures from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Council revealing ice use tripled between 2009-10 and 2013-14.

28 February 2016

#girlsmakeyourmove for the rest of your lives

The Turnbull Government is today launching a landmark awareness campaign to encourage younger Australian women to ‘make your move’ after bombshell new research found teenage girls were only half as physically active as their male peers.

24 February 2016

Can you name a symptom of ovarian cancer?

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has highlighted a new social media awareness campaign as an important initiative to improve women’s knowledge and awareness of ovarian cancer.

24 February 2016

Canberrans celebrate 10 years of the Gift of Life DonateLife Walk

Thousands of Australians showed their support for organ and tissue donation by taking part in the 10th annual Gift of Life DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin.

24 February 2016

Historic medicinal cannabis legislation passes Parliament

Parliament has passed the Australian Government’s historic legislation delivering the “missing piece” for Australian patients and their doctors to access a safe, legal and reliable supply of medicinal cannabis products for the management of painful and chronic conditions.

19 February 2016

Support for Breastfeeding

Almost $1 million will be provided to the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) to allow it to continue its 24 hour National Breastfeeding Helpline.

11 February 2016

Greater Choices in Home Care

Older Australians will have greater choice and control over their aged care services under proposed changes to aged care legislation.

11 February 2016

HBF premium announcement welcome

Private health insurer HBF announces they will be resubmitting a lower premium for their members.

10 February 2016

Landmark medicinal cannabis legislation introduced today

The Australian Government will introduce landmark legislation providing the “missing piece” for Australian patients and their doctors to access a safe, legal and reliable supply of medicinal cannabis products for the management of painful and chronic conditions.

09 February 2016

Australia’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation rates improve in 2015

Australia has continued its improvement in organ and tissue donation and transplantation with a record year in 2015.

05 February 2016

Prostheses reform a priority for cheaper health premiums

The Australian Government will look to make thousands of medical devices ranging from pacemakers to pins and plates more affordable and accessible for patients in a move that will also reduce pressure on private health insurance premiums.

03 February 2016

Gender-equity in travel a priority for Australian sport

The Australian Government has moved to ensure travel arrangements for major international sporting events are gender-equitable and that female athletes receive the same travel standards as male athletes.

02 February 2016

Minister Nash releases independent organ donation and transplantation review

The Government has welcomed the independent review into the organ donation and transplantation sector.

02 February 2016

One step online registration to increase organ donation

Australians will soon be able to register as organ donors in less than ten minutes online, the Minister responsible for organ donation Fiona Nash has announced.

01 February 2016

Private Health Insurance Premiums - Request for More Information

I have asked all Private Health Insurers to provide additional information regarding possible premium increases for 2016 in an attempt to ensure consumers get the best deal.

25 January 2016

New measures to encourage childhood vaccinations

09 January 2016

Holiday travel perfect time to talk biosecurity

The busy holiday travel season is the perfect time to talk about the importance of protecting Australia against communicable diseases entering the country, Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, said today.

07 January 2016

Extra Government Funding for Royal Flying Doctor Service

03 January 2016

New Aged Care Complaints Commissioner gets to work

Australia’s ‘independent’ Aged Care Complaints Commissioner starts work this week, to handle and investigate any complaint relating to a Commonwealth subsidised residential or home-based aged care service.

01 January 2016

Discount PBS Prescriptions Start Today Jan 1

Today marks the start of landmark competition reforms in the medicines sector, whereby pharmacists are able to discount the cost of a prescription subsidised through the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the first time.

30 December 2015

ACCC Panadol Osteo

There are no obvious market changes that justify such a substantial increase.

28 December 2015

Review of Medicare Benefits Schedule

The Turnbull Government is committed to working with health professionals and patients to build a Medicare Benefits Schedule that is based on contemporary clinical practice.

20 December 2015

Turnbull Government Invests over $1billion to Cure HEP C

The Turnbull Government will invest more-than $1 billion to give all Australians with Hepatitis C access to breakthrough cures that could all but eradicate the deadly and debilitating disease within a generation.

17 December 2015

Collaborative Cancer Research passes $100m milestone

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, and Cancer Australia have confirmed the latest round of cancer research funding from the nation’s leading cancer agency, pushing the amount invested past $100 million dollars in eight years.

16 December 2015

Stronger Compliance to Protect Integrity of Aged Care Sector

A stronger compliance regime, including tough new fines, and better-targeting of funding will be introduced to protect the integrity of Australia’s residential aged care sector.

15 December 2015

Building a Health Workforce for Rural Australia

More doctors, nurses and allied health professionals will be trained and located in rural Australia under an overhaul of clinical training by the Australian Government.

15 December 2015

Labor blows $500m for 1% increase in pathology bulk-billing rates

Pathology bulk billing rates have only increased by about 1 percent since Labor introduced a bulk billing incentive in 2009/10, despite the subsidy costing taxpayers half-a-billion dollars over the same five year period.

11 December 2015

$5.79 million to support aged care in rural and remote communities

The Australian Government announced funding of $5.79 million to increase aged care places in rural and remote communities across Australia.

11 December 2015

Questions raised over aged care workforce programmes: Stocktake

More-than-half of all taxpayer-funded aged care workforce programmes have never had their performance reviewed or evaluated, a new stocktake has found.

10 December 2015

Fund to bridge biomedical research to market gaps

The Australian Government’s $250 million Biomedical Translation Fund will bridge the gap between research and commercialisation of new Australian biomedical discoveries.

10 December 2015

Summer safety campaign kicks in $5000 to Australia’s Surf Life Saving Clubs

Every surf life-saving club across the nation will receive $5000 to improve safety equipment and better-prevent drownings this summer as part of the latest round of Commonwealth funding.

08 December 2015

Indigenous Aged Care Graduates to Help Meet Future Workforce Demands

More than 30 Indigenous aged care graduates are about to embark on a career in a priority industry, thanks to an Australian Government-funded programme which aims to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

07 December 2015

Turning Medical Research into Commercial Reality

The Australian Government will invest $250 million over two years to help translate Australian health and medical research into commercial reality as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda.

06 December 2015

A new action plan to tackle ice

The Australian Government has released the National Ice Taskforce Final Report and the Commonwealth response.

05 December 2015

40,000 Australians have their say on private health

Almost 40,000 Australians have flooded the Government’s online survey asking whether they are getting value for money from their private health cover and how best to improve their policy

05 December 2015

Grass roots a key to tackling ice

The Australian Government will enlist local sports clubs and empower local communities to tackle the use of crystal methamphetamine or “ice”.

02 December 2015

Medicinal cannabis to be cultivated through single national scheme

Australia will create a nationally-consistent licensing scheme regulating the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes that will streamline the process across the country.

01 December 2015

Medicare Safety Net Arrangements

The Turnbull Government is currently undertaking broad-ranging reforms to build a healthier Medicare.

27 November 2015

Sports journalists honoured

26 November 2015

A new blueprint for mental health services

26 November 2015

Dial one phone number for mental health HELP

Australians suffering mental health issues will only have to dial one dedicated phone number to immediately access the help they need under a bold new Turnbull Government reform plan to be announced today.

26 November 2015

Mental health moves towards individualised care packages

For the first time, Australians with a severe and complex mental illness will have access to an integrated care package tailored to their individual needs, as part of broad, bold reforms to be unveiled by the Turnbull Government today.

25 November 2015

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Annual Dinner- Great Hall, Parliament House

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley addressed the Pharmacy Guild of Australia at the Annual Dinner- Great Hall, Parliament House

24 November 2015

Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation

The Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, tonight announced the membership of the Expert Panel for the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation (the Review), together with its Terms of Reference.

20 November 2015

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué

Communiqué of outcomes from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation meeting held on 20 November 2015 in Canberra.

20 November 2015

Release of Final Report of Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation

The second, and final, report from the Independent Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation has been released.

17 November 2015

Australia signs new health cooperation agreements with China

Australia has signed agreements with China, refreshing the framework for technical cooperation between the two countries on health issues, including communicable disease control, preventative health, and medicines policy.

16 November 2015

National day announced to honour organ and tissue donors and their families

Minister for Rural Health, Fiona Nash has asked Australians to reflect on the gift of organ donation this week ahead of DonateLife Thank You Day on Sunday 22 November 2015.

15 November 2015

Health Minister to visit China and Indonesia

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, will visit China and Indonesia next week (16-20 November) for talks with senior Ministers and to enhance health, sports and aged care partnerships.

13 November 2015

20,000+ Australians voice their views on private health

More than 20,000 Australians have voiced their views on how to make private health insurance better value for consumers just five days after it was launched.

13 November 2015

Australia delivers new national diabetes strategy on World Day

The Australian Government has released a new national strategy to tackle diabetes, which is emerging as a major chronic illness for patients – and threat to the health of the economy – in Australia.

13 November 2015

Healthy Food Partnership

12 November 2015

Ebola Screening Measures Downgraded

The Australian Government will begin downscaling domestic border screening measures for Ebola at airports and seaports to reflect the decreased risk to Australia.

09 November 2015

$630 million for over 800 innovative research projects

The Australian Government will invest more than $600 million to support Australia’s world-leading researchers to find the next prevention of disease or cure as it continues to drive innovation in Australia.

08 November 2015

Half-a-million Australians downgrade private health cover

Australians dumped or downgraded half-a-million ‘all-inclusive’ private health insurance policies last year as record numbers flocked to cheaper cover with exclusions and excesses, official figures show.

08 November 2015

Healthy Food Partnership to tackle obesity and encourage healthy eating

Rural Health Minister Fiona Nash has announced a new partnership of preventative health groups, food industry bodies and government to cooperatively tackle obesity and encourage healthy eating.

06 November 2015

New flu protections following high season

Vulnerable Australians will get free access to even stronger protections against the flu in 2016 following another record number of reported cases in 2015.

05 November 2015

Improving dementia support for all Australians

The Australian Government will build improved and nationally consistent dementia support services for all Australians following independent analysis that described a system with a “lack of consistency and coordination”.

03 November 2015

Common prescription medicines cheaper over-the-counter

The Australian Government will address inconsistencies in the nation’s PBS that see many concessional patients with a prescription for common medicines such as paracetamol and aspirin paying higher prices than if they simply purchased them over-the-counter.

02 November 2015

Misuse of Medicare chronic disease items

Serious concerns have been raised about the misuse of taxpayer-funded chronic disease management plans by 'less scrupulous' medical practices for personal financial gain, as millions of dollars in incorrect Medicare claims are ordered to be repaid.

02 November 2015

New drug listing Iclusig for chronic myeloid leukaemia

Patients with rare chronic myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia now have affordable access to a life-changing medicine that would normally cost up to $66,500 per year for treatment.

01 November 2015

Congratulations to the Wallabies

Congratulations to our Australian Wallabies side on their efforts in claiming a silver medal at the rugby union World Cup.

25 October 2015

Saving lives in Australian rivers

A new water safety campaign launched today aims to reduce the number of drowning deaths occurring in Australian rivers.

22 October 2015

New goals to improve Indigenous health

Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash has launched an Implementation Plan to help Close the Gap by improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

22 October 2015

Providing the helping hand for dementia severe behaviour

A new Government initiative will provide a helping hand to aged care residents who exhibit severe behaviour as a result of their dementia and assist them to manage their symptoms.

21 October 2015

Fairer, simpler Medicare Safety Net to help more patients

More Australians could have faster access to simpler safety net protections against large medical expenses under a Government proposal introduced into Parliament on 21 October 2015.

20 October 2015

The time for getting around to an active lifestyle is now

Minister for Health Sussan Ley is pleading with Australian women to “put their health first” and get active to ensure they – and their families - live more healthy, happy and productive lives.

19 October 2015

$43 million to continue search for a cure to dementia

Seventy-six researchers will share in $43 million to support bold and innovative new ideas to not only tackle the impacts of dementia but to find ways of preventing and curing the debilitating disease.

17 October 2015

Government support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes

The Turnbull Government will seek parliamentary support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes in Australia to deliver patients access to a safe, legal and sustainable supply of locally-produced products for the first-time.

13 October 2015

Health Star Rating success as Uncle Toby’s improves recipes

News that Uncle Toby’s has made its recipes healthier to receive a better Health Star Rating has been welcomed by Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash.

12 October 2015

$10 million advertising campaign to reduce Indigenous smoking rates

Some $10 million from the National Tobacco Campaign will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with a new anti-smoking advertising campaign.

12 October 2015

Minister welcomes Kellogg’s healthy change as Health Star Ratings power ahead

Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash has welcomed news Kellogg’s has changed the recipe of one of its biggest-selling cereals and will now receive a better Health Star Rating.

11 October 2015

Speech - LASA Congress

LASA National Congress

09 October 2015

Developing a 21st century electronic health record system

Minister for Health Sussan Ley thas announced the Committee that will oversee the rebooted personalised My Health Record system for patients and doctors.

08 October 2015

Australian General Practice Training programme (AGPT)

The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) programme is a fully Commonwealth funded postgraduate vocational training programme for medical graduates wishing to pursue a career in general practice.

08 October 2015

GP Training Advisory Committee

The Minister for Health Sussan Ley has announced appointments to the new, profession led GP Training Advisory Committee to oversee governance of the Australian General Practice Training programme.

05 October 2015

Coming soon: A new approach for our mental health system

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has encouraged all Australians to reach out to friends and family this Mental Health Week (October 2 to 10), and has foreshadowed significant structural reform of the mental health system.

30 September 2015

Minister Ley Appointment as Minister for Aged Care

Never has there been a more exciting time to live in Australia. We are living longer, more productive lives.

29 September 2015

Unnecessary, out-dated or unsafe medical services? Tell us about it!

Australians who have undergone a Medicare-funded service, procedure or test they considered to be unnecessary, out-dated or even potentially unsafe in recent years are being encouraged to let the Federal Government know about it.

23 September 2015

Facts speak for themselves on drug listings

Australia has a world-class Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

17 September 2015

Community active in fight against childhood cancers

Thousands of Australians will come together to raise awareness of the devastating impact of childhood cancers and to promote more research into these cancers in a new and innovative event.

16 September 2015

Australian Health and Wellbeing on Agenda at NICNAS Roundtable

Protection of Australians and the environment was on the agenda when Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash met representatives of the Australian chemical industry at Parliament House.

15 September 2015

Drownings highlight more care needed around water

Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley urges all Australians to take care around water ways following an increase in the number of drownings over the past year.

09 September 2015

Statement on Chris Thomas’ election as World Transplant Games President

A statement congratulating Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas on being elected President of the World Transplant Games Federation.

09 September 2015

Statement/Letter to the editor on rural health

An update on rural, regional and remote healthcare by the Assistant Minister for Health.

08 September 2015

Statement from Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash on calls to legalise the drug “ice”

The Australian Government will never legalise a drug that destroys brain function, mental wellbeing, general health, employment, relationships, lives and families.

07 September 2015

COAG Health Council Communique - 7 August 2015

The Federal and State and Territory Health Ministers met in Darwin today at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues. The meeting was chaired by Jack Snelling, Minister for Health, South Australia.

04 September 2015

Appointments to Cancer Australia Advisory Council

Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced the appointment of a renewed membership of the Cancer Australia Advisory Council.

04 September 2015

Interview on 1233 ABC Newcastle with Jill Emberson

Interview with Jill Emberson regarding After hours GP services, Medicare sustainability, Primary Health Care discussion paper.

04 September 2015

Interview on 2ue Afternoons with Justin Smith

Interview with Justin Smith regarding Medicare annual figures, Medicare sustainability.

04 September 2015

Interview on 5AA Adelaide with Leon Byner

Interview with Leon Byner regarding Medicare annual figures, Medicare sustainability and Medibank and Calvary negotiations

03 September 2015

Last chance to have a say on Primary Health Care Reform

September 3 is the last day to join the thousands of Australians who have had their say as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to reforming primary health care and building a healthier Medicare.

03 September 2015

Medicare claims hit 1 million per day

Medicare is now being billed over one million times a day for the first time in history, as new figures show growth in claims outstripped the number of new patients three-to-one over the past decade.

01 September 2015

New drug listing Keytruda to treat melanoma

Patients with melanoma will now have access to breakthrough medicine Keytruda on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

31 August 2015

Australian-first national approach to Indigenous cancer care

An Australian-first national approach to addressing the Indigenous cancer gap establishes seven new national priorities to reduce the increasing cancer mortality rates in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

31 August 2015

Coalition Government’s ice advertising cuts through

Independent evaluation into the results of the Australian Government’s ice advertising has heaped praise on the campaign

31 August 2015

New agreement for the Mersey Hospital

The formal signing of the $148.5 million agreement between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments means North-Western Tasmanians will continue to receive high-quality care at the local Mersey Community Hospital.

30 August 2015

Medibank-Calvary Resolution

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley has welcomed the news that Calvary Private Hospitals and Medibank have finalised an agreement ahead of their August 31 deadline.

28 August 2015

Community safety on the agenda for new consultative committee

Community safety will be a priority for the new Strategic Consultative Committee for the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).

28 August 2015

Pregnancy folate reminder

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley, has written to networks representing GPs and obstetricians alerting them to a global shortage of folic acid for food fortification that may affect Australia.

24 August 2015

Families dealing with children’s cancer to get additional support

Hundreds of Australian families dealing with children’s cancer will get greater support with the launch of a one-stop Children’s Cancer Website, the first of its kind in Australia.

24 August 2015

Patients shouldn’t be held ransom in private health ‘Game of Thrones’: Ley

Patient safety and welfare should be the priority in any negotiations between private hospitals and health insurers, not used as ransom in a cynical “Game of Thrones”, Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley said

21 August 2015

Grants to develop female sport leaders

The Abbott Government has opened applications for a $400,000 grants programme to support and develop women leaders in Australian sport.

18 August 2015

Hearing loss: Early intervention the key

Early intervention remains the key to reducing the rate of hearing loss in Australians, Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash said.

16 August 2015

Diamond’s Netball World Cup Victory

Congratulaions to our world-conquering Diamonds following their hard-fought victory in the 2015 Netball World Cup Grand Final.

12 August 2015

Medical Research Future Fund Bill Passes

The successful passage of the Government’s legislation to establish the Medical Research Future Fund will significantly strengthen Australia’s standing as one of the global leaders in the field of medical research.

12 August 2015

New stats reveal 50% of Australians battling chronic disease

The need for Primary Health Care reform has been highlighted with the release of new statistics that show half of all Australians have at least one chronic disease.

10 August 2015

Australian Government assistance for elite Indigenous sportspeople

Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley has paid tribute to the significant contribution Indigenous athletes have made in the Australian sporting landscape.

07 August 2015

Abbott Government to tackle dementia research

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has launched a three-pronged approach to support and promote dementia research in the search of new treatments, models of care and ways of preventing the debilitating disease.

07 August 2015

Netball World Cup to inspire more kids in sport

Minister for Sport Sussan Ley has welcomed the international netball community to Australia for the 2015 World Cup.

07 August 2015

Youth self-harm, suicide & depression rates ‘confronting’: Ley

A confronting picture around teenage depression, self-harm and suicide has been painted by the largest ever national survey of youth mental health of its kind in Australian history.

04 August 2015

Primary health care reform discussion paper released

The Australian Government has released an options discussion paper ‘Better outcomes for people living Chronic and Complex Health Conditions through Primary Health Care’.

31 July 2015

Government to continue Inborn Error of Metabolism Programme

Patients on the Inborn Error of Metabolism programme will continue to have access to government subsidy.

30 July 2015

$15.3 Million for Purple House

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote Central Australia will reap the benefits of a funding boost to Western Desert Dialysis, also known as Purple House.

30 July 2015

Renewed Agreement to Improve Health and Wellbeing

The Australian Government, Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of NT (AMSANT) have re-committed to a framework agreement aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

30 July 2015

Ten stellar stories of health and medical research

Ten Australian research grants that led to ground-breaking medical discoveries and important changes to health care have been highlighted in this year’s Ten of the Best Research Projects.

29 July 2015

$10 Million Support for Central Australia Renal Patients

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote Central Australia are being further supported to access dialysis services.

28 July 2015

Australia’s leading hospital for organ donation

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, visited the ICU facilities at the Melbourne hospital, The Alfred, to speak with doctors and patients involved in organ donation and transplantation.

27 July 2015

Blood Processing Centre key to Australia’s safe blood supply

The most technologically advanced and largest blood processing centre in the southern hemisphere was acknowledged by the Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, as playing a key role in ensuring Australia’s blood supply is safe and secure.

27 July 2015

Life-saving drug for Adult Pompe patients

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has approved a life-saving drug that will ensure adult Australian Pompe patients receive treatment that previously would have cost several hundred thousand dollars at no out-of-pocket cost.

24 July 2015

Clearer vision for Australians with expanded listing of new drug

Patients with a range of serious eye conditions now have affordable access to life-changing medicines that normally cost up to $10,000 for treatment.

24 July 2015

Ice Taskforce interim report

The Prime Minister presented the National Ice Taskforce interim report to COAG, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the development of a National Ice Strategy.

23 July 2015

Appointments to key health and medical research body

Leading medical researchers, academics, clinicians and administrators have been appointed to the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

22 July 2015

Talks to Focus on Indigenous Mental Health

Reducing mental illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be the focus of high level talks between government, mental health experts and Indigenous leaders at Parliament House.

20 July 2015

Sporting Schools kicks off across Australia today

The biggest change to school sport in over a decade has kicked off for hundreds of thousands of primary school students across Australia as part of a $100 million Australian Government initiative to keep them fit, healthy and happy.

16 July 2015

$2.5 million to keep RFDS flying high in WA

Western Australians will have greater access to medical services where ever they live or travel in the state with the Abbott Government to support the purchase of a new aeroplane for the Western Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA RFDS).

08 July 2015

Record numbers of Australians coming down with flu

Minister for Health Sussan Ley is urging people to get their flu shots in response to new statistics that show the number of flu cases in Australia are up by over 50 per cent in 2015 as compared to the same time last year.

07 July 2015

Alastair Lucas AO

It is with great sadness that I recognise the passing of Mr Alastair Lucas AO.

03 July 2015

$6.4m for nurses to deliver health in areas of greatest need

A $6.4 million Abbott Government commitment to a nursing in primary health care programme will aim to improve access to health care for rural and remote communities, older Australians and those with chronic disease.

03 July 2015

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué 3 July 2015

01 July 2015

Nash urges consumers to make their voices heard on country of origin labelling

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has urged shoppers to make their views known on country of origin labelling reform via the government’s online survey, which closes Friday, 3 July.

01 July 2015

New breast & lung cancer drugs available from today

Breast and Lung Cancer patients will have affordable access to life-changing medicines that normally cost up to $80,000 for treatment from 1 July.

01 July 2015

New figures reveal percentage of women proactively screening for breast cancer falling

Australian women aged between 50 and 74 are urged to ensure they are up-to-date with their breast screens following new national figures released that revealed the percentage of women who were screened in 2013/14 had fallen.

30 June 2015

Bigger incentives to attract doctors to rural towns begin tomorrow

New payments to help rural, regional and remote towns across Australia attract doctors begin on 1 July 2015.

30 June 2015

Nash announces increased support for Living Organ Donors Programme

Employers offering leave to employees who are donating organs will receive extra support from the Federal Coalition Government as of July 1.

30 June 2015

Sights set on improving eye health in regional WA

Residents of rural, regional and remote Western Australia will have better access to eye health care with an Australian Government investment in the Lions Outback Vision Van.

28 June 2015

New drug listing Keytruda to treat melanoma

The Commonwealth Government will invest $57 million to list breakthrough melanoma drug Keytruda® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

25 June 2015

Australians forced to wait 15 months for new drugs vs US & Europe: Report

Australian patients are being forced to wait up to 15 months longer to access the latest breakthrough medicines than in the US or Europe because drug companies are delaying bringing them down under, a new landmark report has revealed.

25 June 2015

Friday the last chance for Sporting Schools funding

Friday is the last day for primary schools across the country to benefit from the first funding round of the Australian Government’s $100 million Sporting School's programme.

25 June 2015

Release of independent review of medicine & medical device approvals

The first report from the independent review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation has been released and highlights the importance of cutting red tape and improving timely access to medicines and medical devices.

23 June 2015

Government stands firm on F1 medicine changes

The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring Australians continue to have affordable access to the latest medicines.

23 June 2015

Senate supports cheaper medicines for Australians

Consumers are the big winners from the Senate passing the Australian Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reform package.

22 June 2015

More Australians are screening earlier for bowel cancer

New figures released as part of National Bowel Cancer Awareness month show a three per cent increase during the previous year in the number of Australians returning completed bowel cancer screening kits.

21 June 2015

2000+ medicine prices to fall by up to 50%

Over 2000 brands of common medicines could be slashed in price for millions of Australians - some by as much as 50 per cent – from next year in a “win-win” for consumers and taxpayers.

19 June 2015

PBAC world-first biosimilar drug decision

The Australian Government remains committed to accepting the expert advice of Australia’s independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) without ‘fear or favour’.

18 June 2015

Abbott Government working with mental health sector to action reform

The Australian Government is working hand-in-hand with the mental health sector to take the National Mental Health Commission’s landmark review from paper to policy.

16 June 2015

$372m to ensure timely access to chemotherapy drugs

The Australian Government will invest a record $372 million to ensure Australians continue to have timely access to life-saving chemotherapy drugs, no matter where they live in Australia.

11 June 2015

Australian children shooting towards a healthy lifestyle

Netball Australia has joined the Australian Government’s $100 million Sporting Schools programme to help schools increase the number of children playing sport.

11 June 2015

Sports participation shake up to get Australians off the couch

The Australian Government will unveil a new strategic way of supporting participation in organised sports as part of a $134 million funding package.

05 June 2015

Boost for mental health researcher in the development of online tool

Minister for Health Sussan Ley congratulated Dr Philip Batterham on receiving the 2015 Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research.

04 June 2015

Establishment of expert groups to shape a healthier Medicare

The Australia Government has appointed some of Australia’s most well-respected health professionals and consumer representatives to work closely with the government to deliver a healthier Medicare.

02 June 2015

National Strategy to address antibiotic overuse

A new national strategy will aim to reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance following statistics showing Australia’s consumption of antibiotics is among the highest in the developed world.

31 May 2015

Australia continues to lead world on anti-smoking

Australia’s world-leading role in reducing smoking rates continues as the latest phase of the National Tobacco Campaign launches on Sunday 31 May – World No Tobacco Day.

31 May 2015

New drug listing treats rare life-threatening lung cancer

The Abbott Government will invest $60 million listing a new drug to treat a rare life-threatening form of lung cancer that would otherwise cost patients over $80,000 per treatment without taxpayer subsidies.

29 May 2015

Coalition helps stamp out Indigenous smoking

The Coalition Government’s redesigned Tackling Indigenous Smoking Programme will further reduce smoking in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

28 May 2015

New agreement for the Mersey Hospital

North-Western Tasmanians will continue to receive high-quality care at the local Mersey Community Hospital following a $148.5 million in-principle agreement between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments.

27 May 2015

Consumers big winners from medicines deals

The price of common medicines could be slashed for millions of Australians.

27 May 2015

Introduction of the Medical Research Future Fund Bill 2015

The Australian Government is focused on ensuring Australia’s best and brightest medical researchers remain at the forefront of developing treatments and cures.

27 May 2015

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to be reformed

Australians will benefit from cheaper medicines, a more competitive pharmacy sector and greater investment in new medicines and patient support services.

27 May 2015

Response to resignation of David Koch

Media statement from Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash on the resignation of David Koch from his position as advisory board chairman of the Organ and Tissue Authority.

27 May 2015

Review of organ donation and transplantation programme

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has announced a review of the current organ and tissue donation and transplantation programme.

27 May 2015

Riverina Consortium to Focus on Palliative Care

Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has announced that a local consortium from Wagga Wagga was successful in securing funding of $3.3 million through the National Palliative Care Projects.

26 May 2015

Industrial chemical assessments simplified

Businesses will save an extra $23 million a year as the Australian Government continues to cut red tape.

26 May 2015

Palliative Care - Talking about dying won’t kill you

People nearing the end of their lives and their families, carers and nursing staff will benefit from $52 million in Australian Government funding for palliative care projects.

25 May 2015

Grants for Sporting Schools Now Open

Schools across the country can now apply for funding grants as part of the Australian Government’s $100 million Sporting School’s programme aimed to get more children fit and healthy and involved in sport earlier in life.

25 May 2015

Royal Flying Doctor Service a big winner in rural health budget initiatives

Rural and regional health is set to benefit from initiatives in the 2015-16 budget.

25 May 2015

Some 450 rural and regional towns receive boost to attract doctors

Some 450 rural and regional towns will receive greater incentives to attract GPs.

22 May 2015

Appointments to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee

Health Minister Sussan Ley has announced the appointment of Professor Andrew Wilson as the new Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

22 May 2015

Consultation extended for national diabetes conversation

The Australian Government is extending the consultation period for the National Diabetes Strategy to allow more public input into the nation’s largest conversation about diabetes.

22 May 2015

New funding arrangements to boost after hours GP Services

Australians will receive improved access to a local doctor after-hours under a new payment model that will encourage General Practices to treat patients outside of business hours.

21 May 2015

Abbott Government doubles drug listings for patients

The Australian Government has doubled the number of drug listings for consumers since coming to office.

20 May 2015

Australian-first website to connect more patients with clinical trials

In an Australian-first patients will be given access to potentially life-saving clinical trials.

19 May 2015

GPs still funded to deliver important kids checks

Parents can still access a pre-school health check for their child through their local GP.

18 May 2015

Update – 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement

The Government has reached in-principle agreement with pharmacists for a new pharmacy agreement valued at $18.9 billion over the next five years.

15 May 2015

Nash begins marathon tour gathering information on ice

Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, is set to travel nearly 20,000 kilometres across the length and breadth of Australia as she gathers information on all aspects of the ice issue.

15 May 2015

Nash thanks Wodonga and surrounding communities for input on ice

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has thanked Wodonga, Albury and surrounding communities for their input on issues around use of the drug ice.

11 May 2015

$100m to protect against national emergencies

The Australian Government’s 2015/16 Budget will invest $100 million to improve Australia’s ability to quickly and effectively respond to a health crisis caused by a natural disaster or terrorist attack at home or abroad.

10 May 2015

Abbott Govt to sink teeth into dental reform

The Abbott Government will seek to undertake much-needed practical reform of the nation’s fragmented dental system to ensure Australians get seamless access to the services they need, no matter who provides them.

10 May 2015

Budget providing the answers in fight against cancers

The Abbott Government’s 2015/16 Budget will improve cancer detection, treatment and prevention through a range of innovative new measures ensuring Australia remains a world leader in the field.

10 May 2015

Coalition Government launches advertising campaign to combat ice

The Federal Coalition Government has launched a hard-hitting new advertising campaign aimed at educating families and the broader community about the dangers of the drug ice, or crystal methamphetamine.

10 May 2015

Patients to get new myHealth Record: $485m ‘rescue’ package to reboot Labor’s e-health failures

The Abbott Government will deliver a rebooted personalised myHealth Record system for patients and doctors that will trial an opt-out, rather than opt-in, option as part of a $485 million budget rescue package to salvage Labor’s failed attempts to develop a national electronic medical records system.

09 May 2015

$1.3 billion to list life-saving medicines

The Abbott Government will invest $1.3 billion listing new medicines and vaccines that will save lives and help thousands of Australians manage debilitating conditions in its 2015-16 Budget.

04 May 2015

Medical boost for regional Australia

Minister for Health Sussan Ley today announced regional communities are benefitting from improved access to a local doctor with 81 graduates having commenced in Australian Government-funded medical internships in 2015.

25 April 2015

Pharmaceutical submission guidelines to be reviewed

The Minister for Health Sussan Ley has announced a review of the PBAC's submission guidelines to ensure Australians continue to have affordable and timely access to new medicines and products.

22 April 2015

Abbott Government to deliver a healthier Medicare

The Australian Government will work hand-in-hand with health professionals and patients to deliver a healthier Medicare to ensure Australians continue receiving the high-quality and appropriate care they need as efficiently as possible.

22 April 2015

Inaugural meeting of the National Ice Taskforce

The Australian Government’s National Ice Taskforce met for the first time in Sydney on 22 April 2015.

21 April 2015

Vast Majority of Breakfast Cereals Set to Display Health Star Ratings

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has welcomed news that the vast majority of breakfast cereals are soon to display the Health Star System on their packaging.

20 April 2015

New health training facility in Northern Melbourne

Health Minister Sussan Ley has opened a new health training facility that will provide almost 1,000 medicine, nursing and allied health students with world class, hands on training.

19 April 2015

$26m booster to Immunise Australia

Busy parents stressed about keeping their child’s vaccinations up to date can breathe a little easier, with the Australian Government unveiling its $26 million budget booster to Immunise Australia.

19 April 2015

Get your flu shot before the flu gets you

Health Minister Sussan Ley is calling for all Australians to get their annual influenza shot, with a new, improved vaccine available from Monday 20 April.

18 April 2015

Bowel cancer not a dirty word

Australians most at risk of bowel cancer will have access to more frequent screening 14 years ahead of schedule.

17 April 2015

COAG Health Council Communique - 17 April 2015

The Federal and State and Territory Health Ministers met in Sydney at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues.

16 April 2015

Abbott Government plans national approach on Mental Health

The Australian Government is working towards the revival of a national approach to improving mental health outcomes and access to support services long-term.

15 April 2015

Nation’s largest diabetes conversation

Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley is calling on Australians to have their say as part of the nation’s largest conversation about the best ways to prevent, treat and cure diabetes.

12 April 2015

Gold Coast to benefit from Metricon Stadium funding

The Australian Government will provide $15 million towards the construction of a replacement training and administration base for the Gold Coast Suns AFL Club at Metricon Stadium.

11 April 2015

New Primary Health Networks to deliver better local care

Australian patients are set to receive better access to frontline health services in their local area as part of the Australian Government’s plans to improve the health of the nation, with the country’s new Primary Health Network (PHN) on track to begin rolling out from July 1.

10 April 2015

New campaign to boost early breast cancer detection

All Australian women aged 50 to 74 will receive an invitation that could save their life.

10 April 2015

RIP Richie Benaud OBE

It’s a sad day for generations of cricket fans the world over and for all Australians with the passing of former Australian test cricket captain Richie Benaud OBE.

09 April 2015

New training regions for GP specialist training

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, has announced new training regions and governance arrangements for the future delivery of GP specialist training.

08 April 2015

National Ice Taskforce

The Commonwealth Government will be working with States and Territories to develop a National Ice Action Strategy to tackle the growing scourge of ice (crystal methamphetamine).

02 April 2015

Mental Health funding confirmed

Mental health services will have their funding renewed in a move to give them certainty, Minister for Health Sussan Ley has announced.

02 April 2015

Support for women leaders in sport

More than 700 women from 31 different sports will be supported to reach their leadership potential through the Federal Government’s Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) programme.

01 April 2015

$75 million for new medicine subsidies

The Australian Government has announced a further $75 million commitment to list three new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

01 April 2015

AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal

Australia is a proud sporting nation. With that comes high expectations athletes will not only compete, but compete fairly.

01 April 2015

Appointment of new ICT provider for Health

The Department has signed a five-year deal with Datacom to provide ICT infrastructure and support services.

01 April 2015

Re-Establishment of Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Service in Moree

The Australian Government is supporting much-needed drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in Moree.

31 March 2015

Alcohol and drug treatment funding extended

Alcohol and drug treatment organisations which receive funding from the Australian Government will have their funding extended until 30 June 2016.

30 March 2015

Australia wins Cricket World Cup

Congratulations to our all-conquering World Cup cricket team!

29 March 2015

Update on Australian Assistance to Vanuatu

The Australian Government will continue to consult with the Government of Vanuatu on their ongoing needs in the wake of tropical Cyclone Pam.

28 March 2015

International recognition for Australian health centres

Four Australian health centres have been recognised as being among the best in the world for improving patient care through medical research.

25 March 2015

$120 million for tomorrow’s medical breakthrough

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has announced $123.5 million in grants to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of medical health and research.

25 March 2015

Australian kids hit healthy sixes

A new pilot programme will help schools increase the number of students playing cricket.

25 March 2015

Getting Australia off the couch & playing sport

The Australian Government has an ambitious game plan to get more Australians off the couch and participating in organised sport to help improve the health of the nation.

25 March 2015

Media Update - Hepatitis A linked to Frozen Berries

This page provides a Media Update - Hepatitis A in Frozen Berries as at 25 March 2015 - 11am.

25 March 2015

Register for Sporting Schools today

Schools, clubs and coaches can now sign up to be involved with Sporting Schools, the Australian Government’s new initiative to get more kids active and healthy.

19 March 2015

$150 million for special medical training

The Specialist Training Programme and the Emergency Medicine Programme will have their funding extended for 2016.

19 March 2015

Global Backing for Australia in Fight Against Ice

Australia's resolution to the 58th UN Conference on Narcotics – urging global cooperation on fighting the drug ice – has been formally adopted in Vienna.

18 March 2015

Positive progress and achievement from AMWG

The Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, has announced the publication of new guidance for post market reviews of medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

17 March 2015

Australia Provides Additional Support to Vanuatu

Australia will provide additional medical assistance and urban search and rescue capability in response to the devastation resulting from tropical Cyclone Pam.

17 March 2015

Free flu vaccines for Indigenous children

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will receive free seasonal influenza vaccines this winter.

17 March 2015

Kicking goals with community soccer programme

The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Programme will continue to provide positive health outcomes for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians.

17 March 2015

RAAF swoops in to help on Indigenous health

Minister Nash has welcomed a new partnership between the peak body of Aboriginal health services, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and the Royal Australian Air Force.

13 March 2015

More consumer consultation in PBS process

The Minister for Health Sussan Ley has welcomed moves to give consumers and patient groups a greater say around the listing of new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

12 March 2015

Australia's resolution on ice gathers support at UN drugs conference

Australia's resolution to the 58th UN Conference on Narcotics - urging global cooperation on fighting the drug ice - is gathering support.

11 March 2015

AFL kids kicking healthy goals

A new pilot programme will help schools increase the number of students playing AFL.

10 March 2015

Interview on Radio National Breakfast with Fran Kelly about the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Transcript of Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash on Radio National Breakfast with Fran Kelly about the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

08 March 2015

Australia to highlight issues around ice at UN drugs policy conference

Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash, will attend the 58th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna.

05 March 2015

$1.4 billion boost in primary care for Indigenous communities

Indigenous communities across Australia will benefit from a $1.4 billion investment in primary and preventable health care as part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to closing the gap.

03 March 2015

Government continues Medicare consultation

The Australian Government is committed to protecting Medicare for the long-term.

27 February 2015

Private Health Insurance Premiums

Private health insurance premiums will increase by a weighted industry average of 6.18 per cent from April 1 2015.

26 February 2015

Hepatitis A linked to frozen berries

Media statement from the Chief Medical Officer regarding Hepatitis A linked to frozen berries.

26 February 2015

Statement on country of origin labelling

Statement from Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash on country of origin labelling.

24 February 2015

Update on Situation around Imported Berries And Hepatitis A

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, have moved to update Australians on the situation involving imported frozen berries and Hepatitis A.

18 February 2015

Action on Hepatitis A

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has moved to outline actions being taken following the importation and distribution of berries which appear to have carried Hepatitis A.

17 February 2015

Life-saving drug for young Pompe patients

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has approved a life-saving drug that will ensure young Australian Pompe patients receive treatment they previously may not have been able to access.

17 February 2015

Minister welcomes new Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Deputy Chair

Minister for Sport Sussan Ley has welcomed former Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimming medallist and businessman Mark Stockwell to the position of Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Deputy Chair.

14 February 2015

International cricket community arrives in Australia

The Minister for Sport Sussan Ley today welcomed the international cricket community to Australia for the 2015 ICC World Cup. The tournament, which begins today, will be held across 14 venues in Australia and New Zealand.

13 February 2015

Minister consults on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Pharmacy Agreement

The Abbott Government has given pharmacists, consumers, doctors and medicines manufacturers the opportunity to present their views about the next multi-billion Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA).

11 February 2015

Australian Government Continues to Work with Communities to Resolve Wind Farm Concerns

The Australian Government is committed to continuing to work with local communities and industry to resolve concerns about possible health impacts from wind farms.

11 February 2015

Leading medical researcher to head the NHMRC

Distinguished medical researcher, Professor Anne Kelso AO, has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

10 February 2015

2014 Organ and Tissue Donation Outcomes

Some 1,117 Australian lives were transformed by the generosity of 378 organ donors in 2014.

05 February 2015

Changes to Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee

The Minister for Health congratulated Dr Suzanne Hill, the Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), who will be taking up a new role with the World Health Organization.

05 February 2015

Medicare consultations positive & ongoing

Minister for Health Sussan Ley has labelled her ongoing consultations with GPs and their representative groups about protecting Medicare for the long-term “positive”, with “many constructive ideas put on the table” to date.

02 February 2015

New maps to better identify rural, regional and remote doctor shortages

Rural, regional and remote communities will find it easier to attract GPs following the Australian Government’s announcement of new maps to better identify doctor shortages.

01 February 2015

Historic night for Australian football

Australia has a proud tradition of hosting world class international sporting events and this Asian Cup 2015 has again showcased our country’s sporting excellence.

30 January 2015

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation - Final Communique

The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) has met in Auckland.

15 January 2015

Government to consult on Medicare reform

The Government is responding to concerns that have been raised about the new Medicare measure to improve patient care and tackle the problem of ‘six minute medicine’.

23 December 2014

Tackling ICE a priority of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs

The harm associated with the dangerous drug Ice will be a key focus of the newly shaped Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs.

18 December 2014

Appointment of Julia Gillard to beyondblue

The Minister for Health Peter Dutton has congratulated beyondblue on the appointment of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard to its board.

17 December 2014

Community Awareness Grants motivate Australians to DonateLife

The Australian Government is providing funding of $462,064 for public awareness initiatives that encourage Australian families to discuss and know each other's organ and tissue donation wishes.

14 December 2014

‘Ice’ the First Priority for Government's Reshaped Drugs and Alcohol Council

The Australian Government has tasked its reshaped advisory council on drugs and alcohol to examine as a priority the issues facing Australia from methamphetamine use, and in particular the rising use of the drug ice.

10 December 2014

Official opening of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital expansion

The opening of new and expanded facilities at Port Macquarie Base Hospital will significantly improve access to quality hospital care by local residents and communities along the Mid-North Coast.

09 December 2014

A Strong and Sustainable Medicare

The $7 Medicare co-payment measure announced in the 2014-15 Budget will no longer proceed.

09 December 2014

Work Begins on Commonwealth Games Velodrome

Work has begun on the Queensland State Velodrome Project – one of the centrepieces for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

08 December 2014

Australia’s First Digital Hospital

Australia’s first hospital with fully integrated, digital eHealth capability has been officially opened.

07 December 2014

Funding for Safer Beaches

As Australia’s annual exodus to the beach looms the Australian Government is bolstering surf lifesavers ability to save lives.

06 December 2014

Health Star Rating: making healthier choices at a glance

Parents will more easily be able to make healthy food choices for their families through the introduction of a new star rating food labelling initiative.

05 December 2014

Grants to help rural practices take on trainees and GP registrars

The Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash, has urged rural and regional general practices to apply for grants to build the facilities needed to take on more trainees and GP registrars.

04 December 2014

More Support for People Living with Diabetes

A range of new resources for Australians with diabetes have been launched by Health Minister Peter Dutton.

01 December 2014

2014 – A Year of HIV Leadership For Australia

World AIDS Day 2014 marks a year of global leadership on HIV for Australia.

01 December 2014

Expert panel to consult on rural health incentives and training

The Australian Government has appointed an independent expert panel to consult on how the GPRIP can best encourage doctors to towns in rural, regional and remote areas where they are needed most.

28 November 2014

Joint Media Statement by Senator Fiona Nash, Assistant Minister for Health, and Peter Styles, NT Minister for Infrastructure, regarding the Kaltukatjara Health Clinic

The Northern Territory Government has released a tender for works on upgrades to Kaltukatjara Health clinic in Central Australia.

28 November 2014

Phillip Hughes

The Minister for Sport, Peter Dutton, has extended his and the Government’s deepest sympathies to the family of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes following his tragic passing.

26 November 2014

World Dementia Envoy To Visit

The Australian Government will next week welcome the World Dementia Envoy to discuss how Australia can best contribute to the international effort to find a cure for dementia by 2025.

20 November 2014

Healthy sporting clubs recognised with Good Sports awards

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has congratulated the winners of the Good Sports Awards which recognise sporting clubs that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

20 November 2014

Joint statement by Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Health for Australia, and Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health for New Zealand, regarding ANZTPA

The Australian and New Zealand Governments have agreed to cease efforts to establish a joint therapeutic products regulator, the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency (ANZTPA).

20 November 2014

Ken Sutcliffe Wins ASC Lifetime Achievement Award

The Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has congratulated long time Channel Nine sports broadcaster Ken Sutcliffe after he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2014 Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Media Awards.

20 November 2014

New $40 Million Medicine Distribution Centre Opens in Melbourne

A new $40 million medicine distribution centre in Melbourne will ensure Victorians continue to have reliable and affordable access to important medications.

20 November 2014

New Centre Puts Focus On Men's Health

The first Australian health care service focussed specifically on the health of men has been officially opened in North Melbourne.

17 November 2014

Antibiotic Awareness Week

This week (17-23 November) is Antibiotic Awareness Week – a worldwide initiative to promote greater understanding of antibiotic resistance and the responsible use of antibiotics.

17 November 2014

Investing In Australian Sporting Innovation

Federal Sports Minister Peter Dutton has announced $1.6 million in funding for 11 different projects which encourage innovation and collaboration in high performance sport.

14 November 2014

Take care of your sight this World Diabetes Day

Australians affected by diabetes are being urged to take regular eye tests to reduce the risk of serious vision loss or blindness.

13 November 2014

Ric Charlesworth Crowned AIS World’s Best

Australian sporting legend Ric Charlesworth AM has been crowned the inaugural recipient of the AIS World’s Best Award for his outstanding contribution as an Olympic and Commonwealth Games hockey player, coach and leader.

13 November 2014

Working together for better rural mental health

Improving access to mental health services and support in rural communities is a priority for the Australian Government.

07 November 2014

Logan Hospital Redevelopment to Benefit Local Community

The Logan community will have access to better and expanded hospital care and support closer to home through a $188 million redevelopment of the Logan Hospital.

07 November 2014

Tackling impact of alcohol on babies and children

The Australian Government has welcomed a new report from the AIHW which identifies strategies to address information gaps regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

05 November 2014

New Measures in the Fight Against Ebola

The Commonwealth Government will increase Australia’s $18 million contribution to the response to Ebola in West Africa and strengthen preparations to detect and respond to a possible Ebola case in Australia.

31 October 2014

Government Announces Changes to Attract More Doctors to the Bush

The first steps toward easing regional, rural and remote doctor shortages have been delivered with major changes to workforce classification systems.

30 October 2014

New National Plan to Tackle the Impact of Asthma

A new National Asthma Strategy will be developed to address the toll the condition has on the lives of more than two million Australians.

29 October 2014

A Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Key to Closing the Gap

The Australian Government has made a $3.1 billion commitment to Indigenous health funding for the next four years, a crucial part of which is supporting the role of Indigenous health workers.

29 October 2014

Danny Green Goes Another Round Against Alcohol-Related Violence

The Australian Government will contribute $200,000 to the Danny Green Fighting Chance Foundation to support the successful Coward Punch campaign.

29 October 2014

Review to Strengthen Independent Medical Research Institutes

The Australian Government will conduct a review of independent Medical Research Institutes (iMRIs) to identify what is required to ensure that they can continue to make a strong contribution to health and medical research in Australia.

26 October 2014

PBS Listing for Kalydeco and Soliris

Kalydeco and Soliris – new treatments for cystic fibrosis and aHUS respectively – will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from December 1.

24 October 2014

Expert Panel to Review Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation

The Australian Government has announced an independent review of the regulation of medicines and medical devices.

22 October 2014

Establishing the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research

The NHMRC has opened an Expression-of-Interest (EOI) process for organisations interested in providing services to establish the institute.

20 October 2014

$3.6 Million for Research to Address Hearing Loss

The Assistant Minister for Health has welcomed a $3.6 million Australian Government funding boost for research into hearing loss prevention.

20 October 2014

New Mobile Clinic Receives Support from the Australian Government

The Federal Assistant Minister for Health was in Broken Hill recently and had the opportunity to inspect a new way of delivering health services to local Aboriginal people.

19 October 2014

Million Dollar Funding Boost for Hello Sunday Morning

The Australian Government has committed $1.1 million for a digital, evidence-based early intervention and treatment programme to help people change their relationship with alcohol.

17 October 2014

Commonwealth Government Delivers Funding for New Medical Research Discoveries

The Australian Government has announced $538.8 million to help Australian health and medical researchers find the cures, treatments and medical devices of the future.

17 October 2014

Ebola Health Protection Update

Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley, said that he was confident that State and Territory health authorities have well developed systems in place to protect the community if a case of Ebola is found in Australia.

17 October 2014

Major Hospital Upgrade Provides Significant New Services

The $200 million redevelopment of the Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) – New South Wales biggest private hospital - was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

17 October 2014

New online mental health service helps young people affected by cancer

Australia’s first ever online mental health service for young people affected by cancer was officially launched on 17 October 2014.

16 October 2014

Tribute to health professionals living and working in remote Australia

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has paid tribute to the nurses and other allied health professionals who deliver health services in Australia's remote communities.

15 October 2014

Australian manufacturers of medical devices given a level playing field

New regulations will be introduced to allow Australian manufacturers to obtain market approval for most medical devices using conformity assessment certification from European notified bodies.

15 October 2014

Primary Health Networks to Drive Better Primary Health Care

A total of 30 Primary Health Networks will be established to lead improvements to the quality and delivery of primary health care throughout Australia.

13 October 2014

$2.93 Million to Support Ballarat Medical Students

The Federal Assistant Minister for Health was in Ballarat to open a new student accommodation facility designed to help universities train medical students locally, giving them a taste of living and working in regional Victoria.

10 October 2014

$10.5 Million for Armidale Clinical School

An Australia-first medical student programme offered jointly by two universities – one city-based, the other in the country – is providing a unique approach to overcoming doctor shortages in rural Australia.

10 October 2014

COAG Health Council Communique

The Australian and state and territory health ministers met in Melbourne to discuss a range of national health issues.

10 October 2014

World Mental Health Day

The Australian Government had a deep commitment to improving mental health services.

09 October 2014

Today is World Sight Day

World Sight Day is a joint initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

08 October 2014

headspace Helps 80,000 Young Australians

Around 80,000 young Australians will benefit each year from the headspace programme with the locations of 15 new headspace centres now finalised.

03 October 2014

Mobile Cardiac Care for Regional Queensland

A new Australian Government-supported mobile clinic that will bring quality cardiac and respiratory care within easier reach for people living in regional, rural and remote Queensland has been announced.

03 October 2014

More funding will mean better health services in small country towns

Australians living in seven rural and remote communities across New South Wales will now have better access to health care and improved services.

30 September 2014

Government Moves to Cut Drowning Deaths

The Australian Government is providing $4 million across five years to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia – part of a $15 million package to cut drowning deaths across the nation.

29 September 2014

Work to Commence on Upgrade of Pirtek Stadium

The Federal Minister for Sport Peter Dutton and NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Stuart Ayres have announced the finalised scope for a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium.

24 September 2014

New study highlights positive outcomes for donor families

Organ and tissue donation can bring comfort to donor family members in their loss of a loved one and enable something positive to come out of tragedy.

22 September 2014

DonateLife community awareness grants

Community groups and local organisations throughout Australia are invited to apply for awareness grants to promote organ and tissue donation.

22 September 2014

Research to help save PNG mothers and babies

A new Australian health research initiative will help to lower mortality rates and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in Papua New Guinea.

19 September 2014

Statement from the Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee on eculizumab (Soliris®)

Statement from the Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Associate Professor Suzanne Hill on eculizumab (Soliris®)

18 September 2014

Government Announces Funding Available for Soliris

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended to the Australian Government that Soliris be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

18 September 2014

Healthy bodies need healthy drinks

Indigenous communities throughout Australia are being encouraged to reach for water instead of high sugar drinks in an effort to cut obesity rates and prevent chronic disease.

16 September 2014

New Treatment for Cancer Approved for PBS Listing

Pancreatic cancer drug Abraxane will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from November 1.

15 September 2014

Government Moves on Dispensing from Unapproved Pharmacies

The Australian Government is moving to support pharmacists who are being undermined by a small number of pharmacists who claim payment for dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines from unapproved premises.

11 September 2014

Australia’s World Class Preparedness Against Ebola

Emergency and health workers on the Gold Coast should be praised for their professionalism in dealing with a suspected case of Ebola virus disease today.

11 September 2014

Indigenous youth urged to seek headspace help

The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, has launched a new campaign to encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to seek help when they are having difficulties.

10 September 2014

Research to Improve Access to Health Services for Regional and Rural Australians

A new Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) in Telehealth will work to improve access to health services for people living in rural and remote Australia.

10 September 2014

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness of the impact of suicide.

05 September 2014

Journey continues to close the gap

A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlights that while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy.

05 September 2014

Water Safety Initiative to Save Australian Kids

A new water safety initiative for young children aims to halve the number of drowning deaths in Australian by 2020.

04 September 2014

Australian women living with undiagnosed osteoporosis

A new report suggests that many women may have osteoporosis without knowing it.

01 September 2014

Minister Opens Asia-Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference

The Minister for Health Peter Dutton has welcomed hundreds of delegates to the 15th Asia-Pacific conference on prostate cancer in Melbourne.

29 August 2014

More Grants to Support Medical Research

Researchers will benefit from 95 National Health and Medical Research Council grants totalling almost $70 million.

27 August 2014

New Online Forums to Support People Living with Mental Illness

Support for people living with mental illness and their family, friends and carers is the focus of two new online forums launched by the Minister for Health, Peter Dutton.

24 August 2014

Australian Assistance to Control the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

The Australian Government is contributing $1 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to help control the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and prevent further spread of the disease.

20 August 2014

New Centre to Deliver More Health Professionals

A new Australian Government-funded training centre in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell will mean a major boost to the health workforce and improved patient access to health services.

20 August 2014

Volunteers are Sports Heroes

Volunteers are the backbone of Australian sporting organisations which would be unable to function or even exist without them.

19 August 2014

Review of After-Hours Service Delivery

The Minister for Health has announced an independent review of after-hours primary health care services in Australia.

14 August 2014

More Support for Patients with Prostate Cancer

The Australian Government is funding 14 specialist prostate cancer nurses to provide support for patients, their families and carers, particularly in rural and regional areas.

14 August 2014

Start soon on more key Commonwealth Games facilities

Work on key facilities for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast will get underway in coming months.

08 August 2014

EOI for Medicare-PBS Payment Services

The Australian Government allocated funding in the 2014-15 Budget to go to the commercial market calling for Expressions of Interest from the private sector to provide claims and payment services for Medicare (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

08 August 2014

Funding to Find Dementia Breakthrough

Australia’s best researchers have been urged to come together to help solve one of the world’s major health issues – dementia.

05 August 2014

Improvement in Low Birthweights Welcome News

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash welcomed an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released that shows improvement in a key indicator for Indigenous health.

05 August 2014

Warwick Anderson Congratulated on New Role

The Australian Government extends its congratulations to Professor Warwick Anderson on his appointment as Secretary-General of the Human Frontier Science Program.

04 August 2014

$3.8 Million Investment to Boost Medical Training in Wagga Wagga

More medical students will study at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s (UNDA) Rural Clinical School campus in Wagga Wagga following the opening of its new training facility.

04 August 2014

Minister Congratulates Commonwealth Games Team

Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has congratulated the Australian athletes that competed in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

31 July 2014

New Chair for Australian Sports Foundation

Businessman and Olympian Mark Stockwell is the new Chair of the Australian Sports Foundation.

30 July 2014

Leading Doctor to Head AIHW

Eminent doctor and leader in the medical profession, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, will be the new Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

24 July 2014

Commonwealth Games Team Strives for Gold

The eyes of the nation will be trained on Glasgow for the next two weeks as our team of more than 400 athletes strives to remain the dominant sporting nation of the Commonwealth.

22 July 2014

Australia Acts on Rising New HIV Infections

While Australia has made great progress in addressing HIV over the last three decades there are still an estimated 26 800 people living with HIV infection.

20 July 2014

Health Ministers sign on to end HIV transmissions by 2020

All Australian Health Ministers have committed to working towards the virtual elimination of new Australian HIV transmissions by the end of 2020.

19 July 2014

Tribute to AIDS delegates in MH17 plane crash

On the eve of the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne the Australian Minister for Health, Peter Dutton, and the Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King, have extended their joint condolences to the family and friends of people killed on board flight MH17 as they travelled to the AIDS 2014 Conference in Melbourne.

18 July 2014

Condolences for MH17 victims, families and AIDS 2014 delegates

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, and the Minister for Health, Peter Dutton, offer condolences to MH17 victims, their families and the delegates to the International AIDS Conference, which begins in Melbourne on Sunday, 20 July.

17 July 2014

Survey Reinforces Fight Against Smoking and Substance Abuse

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has welcomed the release of key findings from the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey which show smoking rates in Australia are falling and young people are putting off their first drink of alcohol.

16 July 2014

Check Yourself This National Diabetes Week

It’s National Diabetes Week and Australians are reminded about an online tool that can assess whether they’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

15 July 2014

Passing of an Indigenous Advocate and Managing Director of Vibe Australia

Statement of condolence on the passing of an Indigenous Advocate and Managing Director of Vibe Australia.

14 July 2014

New Report Identifies Australia’s Stroke ‘Hotspots’

A new report released by the National Stroke Foundation identifies the current and future ‘hotspots’ for stroke which will help inform Australia’s response to the disease.

11 July 2014

Electronic Donor Record Enhances Australian Organ and Tissue Donation Processes

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has announced a new national clinical information system to streamline organ and tissue donation processes across Australian hospital networks.

10 July 2014

$35 million to advance Type 1 juvenile diabetes research

Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne MP and Minister for Health, Peter Dutton MP have announced the Australian Government’s approval of $35 million to advance research in the critical area of diabetes.

10 July 2014

New Agreement Will Continue Australia’s Efforts to Eradicate Trachoma

The Australian Government will provide $16.5 million over four years to prevent and treat trachoma in Indigenous communities in NSW, NT, SA and WA.

09 July 2014

Tobacco Plain Packaging Enforcement Policy

The Tobacco Plain Packaging Enforcement Policy ('Enforcement Policy') explains the options for enforcement of the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 and the Tobacco Plain Packaging Regulations 2011 (together, the legislation) and the strategies and priorities that will guide decisions about enforcement actions.

09 July 2014

Tobacco Plain Packaging Enforcement Policy February 2013

The Tobacco Plain Packaging Enforcement Policy ('Enforcement Policy') explains the options for enforcement of the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 and the Tobacco Plain Packaging Regulations 2011 (together, the legislation) and the strategies and priorities that will guide decisions about enforcement actions.

08 July 2014

Non-English speaking background resources

Resources relating to tobacco plain packaging and health warnings for people from non-English speaking backgrounds

07 July 2014

New Access to HIV Tests and Treatments

Testing and treatment for HIV will be easier and more accessible under changes being made by the Australian Government.

07 July 2014

New Strategies on Blood Borne and Sexually Transmissible Diseases

Five new and improved national strategies to target HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections were launched.

04 July 2014

Ingredients used in cigarettes produced by Philip Morris in 2014

Ingredients used in cigarettes produced by Philip Morris in the year 2014.

04 July 2014

Membership of the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group

The membership of the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group is below.

04 July 2014

Terms of Reference - National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group

These are the Terms of Reference for the time limited National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group.

03 July 2014

Fighting Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Queensland

A partnership between the Australian and Queensland Governments is targeting the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya at the source.

03 July 2014

Improved Primary Health Care for South-East Queensland Indigenous Patients

Two new Australian Government-funded clinics in the rapidly growing South-East Queensland region will provide essential primary health care services to Indigenous Australians.

01 July 2014

Funding to Improve Health and Safety of Farmers

An innovative programme that seeks to prevent Australian farmers from being injured or dying at work has received a $375,000 funding boost from the Australian Government.

01 July 2014

Funding to Improve Health and Safety of Farmers

An innovative programme that seeks to prevent Australian farmers from being injured or dying at work has received a $375,000 funding boost from the Australian Government.

01 July 2014

New Campaign Encourages New and Expecting Mums to Protect Their Babies by Not Drinking Alcohol

Reducing the impact of alcohol-related harm on unborn and newborn babies is the focus of a new health campaign.

27 June 2014

$120 million for sport for 2014-15

Australian elite and grassroots sport will be supported with $120 million in funding through the next year from July 2014.

27 June 2014

Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation - Final Communique

The Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation has met in Sydney.

26 June 2014

Pay for Quality Initiative

Health Minister Peter Dutton congratulated private hospital operator Healthscope and health insurer BUPA on their Pay for Quality initiative.

25 June 2014

Government Funds National Strategy to Target Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

The Australian Government will provide $9.2 million to the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Action Plan to address the harmful impact of FASD on children and families.

25 June 2014

Rising Cost of Good Health

Australia’s health system is facing sharply rising costs and a growing number of demands, according to a new report released on 25 June 2014.

24 June 2014

Another Step Towards Indigenous Health Equality

The Australian Government is taking another important step towards securing health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

23 June 2014

Australia Signs Agreement with Spain on Sports Cooperation

Australia has signed an historic agreement with European sporting powerhouse Spain, which will encourage the exchange of information and resources between the two nations.

23 June 2014

Australians Urged to Take Bowel Cancer Screening Test

Thousands of Australians are dying of bowel cancer every year, yet a disturbing number of people are failing to return a simple test that could save their lives, according to a new report.

19 June 2014

A Better Start to Life for Indigenous Children

The Australian Government's Better Start to Life approach targets the health of Indigenous mothers and babies so children are given the best possible start to life.

19 June 2014

DonateLife Resources Launched

DonateLife resources are now available to support decision-making about organ and tissue donation in 18 languages.

17 June 2014

Better Mental Health Care in Australia

The Australian Government is bolstering mental health services in Australia, with a $6.5 million initiative to train primary health practitioners in the use of e-mental health therapies and associated technologies.

11 June 2014

$700,000 Investment to Support More Medical Trainees in Griffith

More medical students are training at the University of New South Wales’ Rural Clinical School campus in Griffith following an Australian Government-funded upgrade of the training facility.

04 June 2014

Indigenous Knowledge Centre to Help Reduce Alcohol and Substance Misuse

A new national information service has been established to support the reduction of alcohol and other drug misuse in Indigenous communities.

31 May 2014

Campaign Launched on World No Tobacco Day

The Australian Government has launched a new phase of the National Tobacco Campaign to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.

31 May 2014

Minister Nash attends the Long Walk

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash joined hundreds of fellow Australians at the start of the 10th Anniversary of the Long Walk Fun Walk at Melbourne’s Domain Gardens on 31 May 2014.

30 May 2014

National Indigenous Health Plan to Focus on Outcomes

The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as a priority.

29 May 2014

$52 Million to Improve Palliative Care Services and Training

The Australian Government will provide $52 million over three years to improve palliative care services and training.

26 May 2014

Improved Information on Medicine Shortages

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash launched the Medicine Shortages Information Initiative on 26 May 2014.

23 May 2014

Cutting Red Tape for Doctors

The process for prescribing hundreds of drugs, including cancer treatments, will be reviewed and simplified to benefit both patients and doctors.

22 May 2014

GP training places in rural and regional areas

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash said the Australian Government was committed to GP training in rural and regional areas.

22 May 2014

Living Donors Participate in Australia’s First 6-Way Domino Kidney Transplant Exchange

In an Australian first, 12 Australians have today participated in an anonymous live kidney donation and transplantation exchange.

22 May 2014

Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Closing The Gap

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has met with Indigenous health stakeholders, including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and state and territory peak bodies.

22 May 2014

Revised recall protocol an essential part of food safety armoury for food businesses

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has launched a new food recall protocol saying every Australian food manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and distributor should have a copy.

21 May 2014

More Funding For Flying Doctors

The Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) will receive an additional $6 million from the Abbott Government for health services in rural and remote areas.

21 May 2014

What the budget means for rural and regional Australians

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash said the Australian Government had reaffirmed its commitment to rural and regional Australians.

20 May 2014

Indigenous Health Services

The Australian Government has a strong commitment to front line, core essential health service delivery, reducing red tape overheads and better supporting efforts to achieve health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

19 May 2014

Report into the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record

A review into the implementation and uptake of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record system has made 38 recommendations.

10 May 2014

More Funding for Australia’s Athletes

650 of Australia's best athletes will benefit from a newly designed program that reallocates $1.6 million directly towards our best medal hopes and emerging talent.

10 May 2014

Nutrition Survey Gives Insight on Australia’s Diet

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has welcomed yesterday’s release of the first nutrition results from the 2011-13 Australian Health Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

09 May 2014

New CEO for ASADA

The Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has appointed Australian Crime Commission Queensland Manager Ben McDevitt as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

05 May 2014

Australians with Hearing Loss to Have Faster, Easier Access to Hearing Services

A new website gives eligible Australians better access to services available through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.

05 May 2014

Commission Report on Delivery of Health Services in Tasmania

A Report by the Commission on Delivery of Health Services in Tasmania has been released by Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton and Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson.

05 May 2014

Community Sport Gives Kids a Healthy Start

Minister for Sport, Peter Dutton has reinforced the Government’s commitment to local sport on a visit to Brendale Sporting Complex to watch the U11s Aspley v Elimbah game on 3 May 2014.

05 May 2014

Ear Health Vital as Australians Age

Up to one in every four Australians could be affected by hearing loss in future as the population aged, Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash has warned.

02 May 2014

Paul Ramsay AO

Statement from Minister Dutton on the passing of Mr Paul Ramsay AO.

30 April 2014

$11.4 Million for Health and Medical Research

Australian researchers who have formed community partnerships to improve health outcomes across Australia have received $11.4 million in Federal Government funding.

16 April 2014

Rural Health a Priority During New Zealand Visit

The Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash visited businesses and a health service in regional New Zealand.

15 April 2014

Forging Closer Trans-Tasman Ties on Food and Nutrition Policy

Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash met with Ministers in New Zealand to progress a range of discussions on key food and nutrition policies.

14 April 2014

Food and Nutrition on the Menu

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash heads to New Zealand for talks with New Zealand Ministers.

11 April 2014

Standing Council on Health Communique - 11 April 2014

Australian Health Ministers met in Brisbane for a meeting of the Standing Council on Health (SCoH).

09 April 2014

Review of Life Saving Drugs Programme

The Australian Government will review the Life Saving Drugs Programme - a move aimed at ensuring that Australians with very rare conditions continue to have subsidised access to much-needed, expensive medicines.

08 April 2014

Better Training Available for Rural WA Health Professionals

Health professionals and students in rural and remote Western Australia are set to receive better training opportunities with the opening of a simulation training and education (EdSIM) centre in Geraldton.

08 April 2014

Salt in Fast Food Down But More Work to be Done

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash welcomed research showing that levels of salt in fast food are slowly but surely reducing.

08 April 2014

Victoria Leads the Nation in treating Type 1 Diabetes

Victoria is home to a new centre that will deliver a revolutionary medical treatment to people across Australia suffering from life-threatening Type 1 diabetes.

04 April 2014

Funding for Mental Health

The Australian Government has provided $170 million for the continuation of 150 programs as part of its ongoing commitment to mental health.

01 April 2014

Helping to Change Perceptions of Suicide and Mental Illness

Media reporting and commenting on suicide and mental illness will be assisted by an improved national guide.

01 April 2014

Major Boost for Health Services in Regional WA

People living in regional WA will get a major boost in health and hospital services – including kidney dialysis treatment, pathology and dental care – under Australian Government funding.

31 March 2014

Tasmanians to Get Better Access to Palliative Care

More Tasmanians will be able to access end of life care in their own home under a first of its kind initiative launched by the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash.

26 March 2014

Asian Football Cup, Celebrating Football in Our Region

Australia’s Socceroos will join 15 Asian countries when they compete in the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, uniting the region through the common language of sport.

21 March 2014

New mobile app an e-Health world first for people with bleeding disorders

The official launch of a new mobile application makes Australia a world leader in assisting people with bleeding disorders.

20 March 2014

Partnering to Close the Gap in Indigenous Health

The Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash, has welcomed the signing of a Statement of Intent aimed at closing the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

18 March 2014

Latest PBS Listings Include Medicines For Children

Ten new medicines to treat a range of illnesses from rare forms of cancer to skin conditions will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April.

17 March 2014

Minister Congratulates Winter Paralympians

The Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has congratulated the Australian team on their performances in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

13 March 2014

Address to Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference

Minister for Health Peter Dutton address to Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference

13 March 2014

Malaria experts call for redoubled efforts on drug resistance

Some of the world's foremost malaria experts have warned that failure to act on the growing resistance to the first line drug for malaria, artemisinin, will set back efforts to reduce and eliminate malaria in the Asia Pacific region.

11 March 2014

Fight Back Against Flu

The Minister for Health Peter Dutton urged older people, pregnant women, indigenous Australians and people with chronic health conditions to get their annual flu shot.

10 March 2014

Australia Hosts Asia-Pacific Offensive on Malaria

The Secretaries of the Australian and Indian Health Departments Professor Jane Halton and Mr Lov Verma will co-chair a high level international meeting in Sydney aimed at strengthening measures to counter malaria.

06 March 2014

Paralympians Set For Success at Sochi Games

Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has wished Australia’s Paralympians the best of luck as they ready for competition on the eve of 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

04 March 2014

Minister Launches New Asthma Handbook

Health Minister Peter Dutton has launched the seventh edition of the Australian Asthma Handbook.

27 February 2014

Diabetes, Glaucoma, Cancer and Growth Hormone Patients Benefit From PBS Changes

New medicines for glaucoma, diabetes and advanced soft tissue sarcoma have been approved for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

26 February 2014

Walk and Have the Chat That Saves Lives

Thousands of Canberrans of all ages had the chat that saves lives as part of the annual DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin.

25 February 2014

Inspiring Smarter Brain Research in Australia

Minister for Health Peter Dutton has launched a paper on the future of brain research in Australia.

24 February 2014

Athletes Did Australia Proud in Sochi

The Minister for Sport, Peter Dutton, said Australia was proud of the achievements of its athletes at the Winter Olympics Games at Sochi.

24 February 2014

Statement - Matthew Robinson

Last Friday Matthew Robinson passed away after being seriously injured earlier this month while competing for Australia at the International Paralympic Committee’s Para-snowboard World Cup Finals.

21 February 2014

Funding Boost for NT Thunder

The Australian Government will provide more than $800,000 over two years to AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) to further develop sporting programs across the Territory.

20 February 2014

Government Support for Cancer Care

The Australian Government is making significant improvements to ensure cancer patients are able to access quality chemotherapy treatment, when and where they need it.

20 February 2014

More Doctors in Regional Areas

Australian-trained international medical graduates are now working in private hospitals and regional areas in Queensland and Western Australia as part of a new Commonwealth Medical Internship Scheme.

20 February 2014

Significant Progress on Palmerston Hospital

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton has welcomed the NT Government’s release of the scoping study for Stage One of the Palmerston Hospital and the NT health capability framework.

20 February 2014

Tribute to Typhoon Haiyan Teams

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton commended the doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals deployed to the Philippines to respond to Typhoon Haiyan which claimed more than 6000 lives and injured 27,000 others.

18 February 2014

$133 Million Boost For Medical Research

The Australian Government has announced $133 million in funding to help Australian researchers find new health treatments and cures.

18 February 2014

Statement - ASADA CEO To Retire

Ms Aurora Andruska, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), has informed the Minister for Sport her decision to retire.

14 February 2014

Cricket World Cup Now Just One Year Away

The official countdown to the 2015 International Cricket Council World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand has begun.

14 February 2014

Redcliffe headspace To Support Youth Mental Health

Mental health services for young people in Redcliffe and across Brisbane’s north have received a boost with the opening of the headspace Redcliffe centre.

12 February 2014

Minister Lauds 50 Years of Independent Expert Advice

The Australian Government has paid tribute to the work of a committee of eminent health experts.

04 February 2014

Mental Health Review

The Minister for Health Peter Dutton has announced the Terms of Reference for the review of mental health services and programmes.

03 February 2014

Former Judge to assist ASADA Investigations

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has engaged a former Federal Court Judge to assist with its anti-doping investigations.

29 January 2014

Health Training Expansion

More medicine, nursing and allied health students will be able to complete a key part of their clinical training following the expansion of the UnitingCare Clinical School at Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.

29 January 2014

More Australian lives transformed as organ donation rates at all-time high

Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash has announced that Australian organ donation rates were at record levels.

29 January 2014

New World Class Cancer Care Facility

Cancer patients living in the Wide Bay-Burnett region will have better access to world-class treatment and therapy with the opening of a new $11.3 million Oncology Centre in Bundaberg.

17 January 2014

More Help For Blue Mountains Women After Fires

Women in the Blue Mountains will have better access to drug and alcohol treatment programs as a result of additional funding being provided by the Australian Government.

09 January 2014

One year to Asian Cup

The countdown to the biggest football tournament ever staged in Australia – the AFC Asian Cup – has begun with one year to go to the tournament kick off.

31 October 2013

National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework

17 December 2012

Tobacco Plain Packaging Complaints Form