Health, Disability & Ageing Portfolio

Health & Aged Care

Reform Stream: Care Workforce Development

  • Health support roles

  • Aged care training and capability

Protecting Public Health, Supporting Australians With Disability & Ensuring Dignity in Ageing

The Health, Disability & Ageing Portfolio leads Australia’s national health system, strengthens aged‑care quality, supports people with disability, and ensures essential services are accessible, safe, and effective. It oversees hospitals, Medicare, aged‑care regulation, disability supports, public health emergencies, and long‑term system reform to improve wellbeing for all Australians.

 

Australia’s Health & Care System

What They Do

  • Manage national health policy, hospitals, Medicare & primary care

  • Oversee aged‑care quality, safety & workforce capability

  • Support people with disability through national programs & safeguards

  • Lead public health preparedness, disease prevention & emergency response

Why It Matters

  • Protects the health and wellbeing of all Australians

  • Ensures safe, high‑quality aged‑care and disability supports

  • Strengthens national resilience to health crises

  • Reduces long‑term system pressures and improves quality of life

Key Outputs

  • National health frameworks & funding agreements

  • Aged‑care quality standards & regulatory oversight

  • Disability support programs & safeguards

  • Public health strategies & emergency response plans

Divisions & Sub‑Departments

Health Policy & Primary Care Division

Strengthening Australia’s Health System

  • Manage Medicare, primary care & GP policy

  • Oversee hospital funding & national health agreements

  • Support preventive health & chronic disease programs

  • Coordinate national health workforce planning

Disability Support & Inclusion Division

Supporting Australians With Disability

  • Oversee disability programs & national supports

  • Strengthen disability inclusion & accessibility

  • Coordinate safeguarding & quality frameworks

  • Partner with states, providers & advocacy groups

Public Health & Emergency Response Division

Protecting Australia From Health Threats

  • Lead national disease prevention & immunisation programs

  • Coordinate emergency health response & preparedness

  • Monitor public health risks & outbreaks

  • Support national biosecurity & health surveillance

Public Health & Emergency Response Division

Protecting Australia From Health Threats

  • Lead national disease prevention & immunisation programs

  • Coordinate emergency health response & preparedness

  • Monitor public health risks & outbreaks

  • Support national biosecurity & health surveillance

Medical Research & Innovation Division

Driving Health Innovation & Future Capability

  • Support medical research funding & partnerships

  • Oversee clinical trials & innovation programs

  • Strengthen research translation into health practice

  • Partner with universities, institutes & industry

 

 

Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission

Regulating Aged‑Care Providers

  • Monitor compliance & quality standards

  • Investigate complaints & incidents

  • Support continuous improvement in aged‑care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

Delivering the NDIS

  • Provide disability supports & funding

  • Strengthen participant outcomes & independence

  • Partner with providers & communities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional services

đŸ”· Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)

Trusted National Health & Welfare Data

  • Produce health & aged‑care data reports

  • Support evidence‑based policy & planning

  • Maintain national health datasets

National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

Leading Medical Research Excellence

  • Fund medical research & innovation

  • Develop clinical guidelines & standards

  • Support ethical research practice

Key Problems in Health, Disability & Ageing

Australia faces rising healthcare costs, workforce shortages, ageing population pressures, and increasing demand for disability supports. Aged‑care quality concerns, hospital strain, and public health risks require stronger national coordination, long‑term investment, and system reform. This portfolio plays a critical role in protecting wellbeing, improving care quality, and ensuring sustainable services for future generations.