• Population and Life Expectancy

  Australians over 65 are forecast to grow at 3.1% p.a. over the next decade. Government data estimates by 2055, average life expectancy will be 95.1 for men and 96.6 years for women.

• Chronic Illness

  67% of Australian adults are overweight or obese, 14.5% of people aged 18 years and over smoked daily (16.9% of men and 12.1% of women). In 2017-18, 580,000 Australians aged 18 years and over had some type of “heart disease”.

• Government Spending

  During 2020-21, spending on health by all governments amounted to $156 billion, which accounted for 15.4% of total government tax expenses and represented 26.8% of government tax revenue.

• Real Per Capita Expenditure

  Over the last 20 years, health expenditure has increased from $91 billion to $201 billion, an average growth rate of 4.0% per year, compared to average annual inflation of 2.4% over the same period.

• Per Capita Utilisation

  78.6% of people, or 20 million Australians, had a long-term health condition in 2020-21, with 46.6% (11.9 million) reporting at least one selected chronic condition, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Sources: ABS Census Data 2021, National Health Survey 2020-21, AIWHHealth expenditure Australia 2020-21.

• Day Surgery

  Operating theatres in day hospitals have increased by 56% between 2000-16. Efficiency in surgery is leading to more convenience-based health solutions.

• Mental Health

  Private mental health hospitalisation increased between 2010-11 and 2020-21 at an average annual rate of 5%. Expenditure increased 4% between 2016-17 and 2020-21.

• Private Health

  Private episodes of care showed an increase of 7.3% on the previous quarter and up 4.4% over the year, in December 2022.

• Medical Technology

  Minimally invasive techniques and advance in anaesthesia result in less tissue damage and post-operative pain and require less time in hospital.