About us

What we do

We are the Australian Government’s main adviser on:

• health
• aged care
• sport.

We design, develop, implement and oversee policy and programs in these three areas.

We work with a wide range of stakeholders and use the best evidence from experts inside and outside the department, and research and data analytics.

We deliver programs that work for you, your family and the community.

We aim for the highest standards so that you get quality, safe care.

Our priorities

Better health and ageing outcomes for all Australians by:

• ensuring your doctor, other health providers, hospital and community-based services are connected and working together to deliver your care
• helping you to be more involved in your own health and health care
• helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to get better access to health and aged care services.

An affordable and quality health and aged care system by:

• working with a range of stakeholders to deliver programs
• improving the quality and reducing the cost of care through research, innovation and technology
• protecting our community by checking and regulating the safety and quality of medicines, devices and treatments.

Better sport outcomes through:

• encouraging all Australians to play sport
• supporting our elite athletes on the world stage
• keeping sport ‘clean’.

Behind the scenes at Health

More than 4,000 people work at the Department of Health in locations around Australia.

Health portfolio agencies and statutory office holders also help us to achieve our goals.

Our stakeholders include:

• patients, consumers, families and communities
• state and territory governments
• health and aged care organisations and providers
• sports agencies and organisations.

Find out more

Find out more about:

• how we make Australia's health system one of the best in the world
• what we do
• our people and priorities.