The 7th Australian Healthcare Index is here! More than 8,000 Australians have shared their experiences, and the findings are clear: cost-of-living pressures are reshaping access to care.
The 7th Australian Healthcare Index is here! More than 8,000 Australians have shared their experiences, and the findings are clear: cost-of-living pressures are reshaping access to care.
Rising out-of-pocket costs remain the top concern for patients, influencing how often people visit their GP, access dental care, and fill prescriptions. Younger Australians are most affected.
A majority of Australians said rising living costs had affected their healthcare decisions, leading many to delay or skip GP, specialist or allied health visits, dental care, medications, or tests.
One in four people have waited over a year for elective surgery. Among those needing treatment within 30 days, over half experienced longer waits – highlighting ongoing pressure.
More than one in three Australians have skipped or reduced prescription medication due to cost, despite reforms to make medications more financially accessible.
More than half of emergency department visits did not result in admissions, and for the third consecutive year, many patients later felt their care could have been provided elsewhere.
Pharmacists were rated most positively overall, valued for helpful staff and convenience. However, rising concerns about prescription wait times may point to increasing service demands.
Satisfaction with private health insurance remains low, with far more people critical than supportive. Many Australians view it as poor value for money and increasingly unaffordable.
Mental health care remains inconsistent across the system. While some people access support quickly, nearly half of those still waiting have been on a waitlist for more than three months.
To see more learnings & insights, download the full report here
© 2025 Australian Healthcare Index.
