The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is responsible for achieving the Government’s priorities for population health, primary health care, mental health, Indigenous health and community participation in sport and recreation.
The department administers programs to meet the Government’s objectives in health infrastructure, regulation, safety and quality, health workforce, acute care, dental care, biosecurity and emergency response.
The department supports the Australian community's access to affordable private health services and is responsible for policy on Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.