What was the Submission About?
This submission provides expert advice from Deakin Health Economics on how Australia can deliver better, more efficient care for the community. It responds to the Productivity Commission’s consultation on improving quality and safety regulation, strengthening collaboration between health and care services, and increasing government investment in prevention. The submission explains why smarter, long‑term planning and more coordinated systems are essential to meeting rising demand for care, supporting the workforce, and improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
Key points included
- Making the Care System Easier to Navigate. The submission explains that the rules and requirements across health, aged care, disability and other services are often inconsistent, which makes the system complicated and costly for providers and confusing for the public. Making these rules more aligned and coherent would help services operate more smoothly and ensure people receive safe, reliable care no matter where they enter the system.
- Improving How Services Work Together. Better coordination between hospitals, primary care, community organisations and other service providers would mean people experience fewer gaps in care and receive more joined up support. At the moment, different parts of the care system work separately due to split responsibilities and funding structures. The submission argues that encouraging more collaboration would lead to better outcomes, especially for people with complex health needs.
- Investing in Prevention for Better Long Term Health. Preventive programs—those that help people stay healthy and avoid disease—often miss out on funding because their benefits take longer to show. The submission highlights that Australia needs a stronger, national approach to prevention so governments can better recognise the long term value of these programs. Investing earlier would improve community health and reduce pressure on hospitals and other services.
- Building a Stronger, More Connected System. The submission points out that government decision making is often split into separate “silos,” making it hard to invest in initiatives that benefit multiple parts of the system. It also notes that industries affected by preventive health policies can influence political decisions, slowing progress. To address this, the submission recommends better coordination across all levels of government, clearer communication about the benefits of prevention and stronger structures to support long term health planning
In summary
Overall, the submission calls for a care system that is easier to navigate, more connected and more focused on keeping people healthy in the first place. By simplifying rules, improving teamwork between services and investing earlier in prevention, Australia can reduce pressure on hospitals, support the workforce and deliver better outcomes for communities. With stronger coordination across governments and a long‑term approach to planning, the care system can become more efficient, fairer and better prepared to meet the needs of all Australians.
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