SYSTEM-WIDE HEALTHCARE REFORM: THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE

Governments around the world are confronting markedly similar issues and challenges with their healthcare systems. This chapter describes recent health reforms in Australia and their potential application to the development of a Canadian healthcare strategy. First, it explores the context for Australian healthcare reform. Second, it evaluates the structure of Australia’s healthcare system, providing an understanding of the context in which these changes occurred. Last, it discusses the development of a Primary Health Care Strategy as an example of strategic reform in the Australian context. Such reforms have occurred in an environment of mixed responsibilities for healthcare among both the