Australia

Australia’s Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan (2022–2032) focuses on strengthening primary care, integrating digital health, and improving access to services across diverse populations. The plan is structured around three key areas: future-focused health care, person-centered primary care with funding reform, and integrated, locally delivered care. It aims to enhance telehealth, strengthen multidisciplinary care, and improve data integration for better patient outcomes. Significant progress has been made in expanding telehealth services, rural health programs, and primary care investments. The plan builds on initiatives such as the Practice Incentives Program (PIP), Medicare-funded telehealth, and digital health innovations. However, workforce shortages, funding inefficiencies, and disparities in rural and Indigenous health services remain critical challenges. The government has committed substantial funding to improving workforce distribution, incentivizing rural healthcare, and strengthening allied health services. Despite these efforts, fragmented healthcare financing, high out-of-pocket costs, and uneven access to services for disadvantaged groups persist. The plan prioritizes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, chronic disease prevention, and expanded multidisciplinary care models. It also emphasizes research, data-driven decision-making, and health system integration to improve efficiency and patient outcomes. While the plan provides a strong foundation for reform, its success depends on effective implementation, sustainable funding, and continued policy coordination across all levels of government. Ensuring long-term investments in workforce training, telehealth, and preventive care will be crucial in achieving its objectives​.