The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to recommended use of BCG vaccines to prevent tuberculosis for inclusion in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, with an intention to submit the recommendation to the National...More
Obesity is a complex condition affecting our whole community. A range of social, environmental, and economic factors contribute to obesity and impact a person’s ability to maintain a healthy weight. If the current trend continues, more than 18 million Australians (two-thirds of our projected...More
The Department of Health is seeking input and feedback on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Genomics Health Guiding Principles (the Guiding Principles) and the associated Guiding Principles Summary Document.
The Guiding Principles have been developed by the Aboriginal...More
The Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy (Strategy) is determined by the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB). The current Strategy covers the period 2016-2021, with the next Strategy (2021-2026) to be registered before 8 November 2021. The Medical Research...More
Published in 2000, Australia’s National Medicines Policy (NMP) aims to deliver positive health outcomes for all Australians through their access to and appropriate use of medicines. It is a well-established and universally endorsed framework based on partnerships between consumers and all...More
There are currently three medicines available for the treatment of opioid dependence under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Opiate Dependence Treatment Program (ODTP). These medicines are buprenorphine (tablets and modified release injections), buprenorphine with naloxone (films) and...More
The Department of Health invites submissions in relation to proposed improvements to the Private Health Insurance (PHI) Prostheses List (PL). Consultation paper 1 concerns to the purpose, definitions and scope of the Prostheses List.
In the 2021-22 Federal Budget, the Australian...More
The Department of Health has commissioned an independent review of general practice accreditation arrangements.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek stakeholder feedback on the strengths and limitations of general practice accreditation and its intersection with educational...More
On 1 March 2021 the Government announced that it would review and enhance the Aged Care Quality Standards in response to a recommendation made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. To inform this review, the department has engaged KPMG to undertake an evaluation of the...More
The Serious Incident Response Scheme for residential aged care commenced on 1 April 2021. The SIRS sets new arrangements for residential aged care providers, including flexible care in a residential setting, to manage and take reasonable steps to prevent incidents, with a focus on the safety,...More
Healthy Food Partnership
Portion sizes of many foods are increasing in Australia (1). In late 2015, the Australian Government established the Healthy Food Partnership (HFP) with the aim of improving the dietary habits of Australians by making healthier food choices easier and more...More
On 11 May 2021, the Australian Government announced changes to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to help position the aged care sector as it moves towards a new support at home program commencing in July 2023. The new program will replace the CHSP, Home Care Packages, Short-Term...More
The National Key Performance Indicators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care (nKPIs) collects information from organisations that are funded under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme to provide primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait...More
The Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy (EFC) Program provides funding for chemotherapy medicines used for the treatment of cancer that are administered through infusion or injection at public or private hospitals. Not all chemotherapy medicines are provided through the EFC Program, but may be...More
The Australian Government has a clear and bold vision for sport integrity in Australia, and is committed to ensuring Australian sport is appropriately protected in the rapidly evolving sports integrity threat environment .
The reforms announced as part of this package will require...More
There are currently three medicines available for the treatment of opioid dependence under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Opiate Dependence Treatment Program (ODTP). These medicines are buprenorphine (tablets and modified release injections), buprenorphine with naloxone...More
On 14 August 2020, the Hon Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, announced a review into the Hearing Services Program.
An Independent Expert Panel comprising Professor Mike Woods (Chair) and Dr Zena Burgess is conducting the Review. The...More
Health services funded under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme (IAHP) collect and supply important Indigenous health data sets to the Department of Health as part of their funding agreements. These are the:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Key Performance...More
Introduction
In November 2019 the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation endorsed an ambitious plan to reform the Bi-national Food Regulation System to ensure it remains strong, robust and agile into the future. A...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Indigenous Health Research Fund (IHRF) was announced in February 2019 to provide $160 million for research to improve the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
An Expert Advisory Panel was appointed in September 2019 to...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission (the Mission) was announced in December 2018 to provide $185 million for research to support older people to maintain their health and quality of life as they age, live independently for longer and access quality...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Stem Cell Therapies Mission (the Mission) was announced as part of the 2019-20 budget to provide $150 million for research to develop innovative, safe and effective treatments accessible to all Australians who need them.
An Expert Advisory Panel ...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Genomics Health Futures Mission (the Mission) was announced as part of the 2018-19 budget to provide $500 million for research to deliver better testing, diagnosis and treatment.
An Expert Advisory Committee was appointed in April 2019 to provide...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Traumatic Brain Injury Mission (the Mission) was announced as part of the 2019-20 budget to provide $50 million for research to improve patient recovery after Brain injury. It will support projects that predict recovery outcomes, or identify the most...More
The Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Cardiovascular Health Mission (the Mission) was announced as part of the 2019-20 budget to provide $220 million for research to make transformative improvements in cardiovascular health and stroke for all Australians.
An Expert Advisory Panel was...More
Preventive health is a key pillar of Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan with mental health.
In June 2019, the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP announced that the Australian Government would develop a 10-year National Preventive Health Strategy (the...More
The Australian Government, through the Critical Technologies Policy Coordination Office (CTPCO), is undertaking consultation on the future of critical technologies in the Australian agriculture and health sectors. Critical technologies are current and emerging technologies...More
The Department of Health is introducing a number of changes to the Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) commencing with the submission of the 2020-21 ACFR.
Major changes include:
detailed residential segment income and expense statement at the facility level
enhanced approved...More
In July 2017 the Legislative and Governance Forum on Gene Technology (the Forum) formally commenced the Third Review (Third Review) of the National Gene Technology Scheme (the Scheme). The initial aim of the Review was to assess the operation of the Scheme with respect to its policy...More