What Values that underpin the health care system in Australia?

The Australian healthcare system is based on the principle of equity, which means that everyone should have access to the same quality of healthcare regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. This is achieved through a number of mechanisms, including:

* Medicare, the universal health insurance scheme that provides all Australians with access to free or low-cost healthcare

* The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which provides subsidised access to prescription medicines

* The Safety Net, which provides additional financial support to people who have high out-of-pocket medical expenses

Access

The Australian healthcare system is committed to providing access to healthcare services for all Australians, regardless of their location or circumstances. This is achieved through a number of initiatives, including:

* The Rural and Remote Health Strategy, which provides funding for healthcare services in rural and remote areas

* The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy, which provides funding for healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

* The Mental Health Strategy, which provides funding for mental health services

Quality

The Australian healthcare system is committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to all Australians. This is achieved through a number of mechanisms, including:

* The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, which set out the minimum standards for the delivery of healthcare in Australia

* The accreditation of healthcare organisations by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

* The registration of healthcare professionals with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Efficiency

The Australian healthcare system is committed to providing healthcare services in an efficient manner. This is achieved through a number of measures, including:

* The use of evidence-based medicine to guide clinical decision-making

* The use of health technology to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery

* The collaboration between healthcare providers to reduce duplication of services

Innovation

The Australian healthcare system is committed to fostering innovation in healthcare. This is achieved through a number of initiatives, including:

* The Medical Research Future Fund, which provides funding for medical research

* The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which provides research and evidence on the Australian healthcare system

* The National Innovation Centre for Health, which provides support for healthcare innovators