ABSTRACT
The Australian health care system is segmented according to the eight main geographic and political divisions of the country, namely the six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania) and two territories (Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory)—hereafter referred to as ‘the states’. Inevitably, a degree of structural fragmentation results and this is compounded by diverse and sometimes contradictory socio-political values underpinning health care. Consequently the health care system in Australia is complex and exhibits a high level of interweaving of the public and private sectors. Any attempt to describe and explain the nature of Australian health care provision must make reference both to the country’s physical characteristics and to its socio-political culture.
