Australia’s health outcomes are among the best in the world. At the same time, as Australia’s Health 2018 notes, our health system is a complex network of services and settings, involving a mix of health professionals, service providers, funders and regulators.

This updated guide provides an overview of Australia’s complex health system: what governments do, the role of private health insurance, how much we spend on health care, how Australian health outcomes compare internationally, the health care workforce and links to further information and resources.