A-Z listing

A-Z listing of publications relevant to National Medicines Policy (NMP).

A-Z listing of publications relevant to National Medicines Policy (NMP)

Measuring the impact of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

This page provides information on the 2008 Report and Report Summary

Offers scholarships to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake university studies in pharmacy.

Questions and answers about the emergency response in the Northern Territory

Responsibility for managing Medicare-funded Diagnostic Imaging (DI) services and determining strategies for maintaining and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of these services is undertaken cooperatively between DI representative groups and the Government as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department).

Pathology involves testing blood, body secretions and samples of tissue to establish the causes, progression and severity of disease.

This page provides information on all aspects of radiation oncology

Links to a range of information about the Department, including career opportunities, departmental structure and responsibilities, and contact details.

This document sets out the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals used on food producing crops or animals. It includes entries that were recommended by the former Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals Standing Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council until November 1992 and those established by the TGA since assuming responsibility for establishing ADI's on 12 March 1993.

Enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies.

A list of acronyms and glossary terms likely to be found within Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) information.

Provides scholarships and additional tertiary places in mental health nursing and clinical psychology.

Funding for accredited advanced specialist training posts in rural and regional areas.

The Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF) is currently managed by the Healthy Living Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing.

The purpose of the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative is to ensure better access to primary medical care for residents of aged care homes and to enable general practitioners (GPs) and allied health service providers to work with residential aged care facilities (RACFs) on quality improvement strategies for the care of all residents.

The Department of Health and Ageing provides a range of useful information on contacts and services available to assist you with ageing and aged care issues.

The Australian Government's information site for alcohol. Here you will find information on alcohol-related health, science, news, and Australian Government policy.

Medicare rebates are payable for group services provided by eligible diabetes educators, exercise physiologists and dietitians for people with type 2 diabetes, on referral from a GP.

Information on Allied Mental Health Professional Medicare items

Anthrax is a disease normally associated with plant-eating animals (sheep, goats, cattle, and to a lesser extent swine). This fact sheet covers: background; anthrax in Australia; how anthrax is spread; anthrax vaccine; State/Territory and Commonwealth roles.

This document provides technical information about the management of threat, or an outbreak, of anthrax.

Fact sheet on antibiotic resistance: background; Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) - the disease and its agent, transmission, possible links to antibiotic use in animals; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus - the disease and its agent; control of the spread of VRE and MRSA; surveillance and reporting.

Welcome to the Australian Government Arbovirus and Malaria Surveillance Website - an initiative of the National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee (NAMAC)

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects one or more joints. Arthritis conditions are part of a broader group of conditions of the muscles and bones called musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is less common.

The following page contains The Report of the Independent Review of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Information about what asthma is and how you can control it.

This section of the website contains information to the 1997-1998 Budget for the Department of Health and Family Services for the financial year 1997-1998 and to associated media releases and fact sheets.

This section of the website contains information to the 1998-1999 Budget for the Department of Health and Family Services for the financial year 1998-1999 and to associated media releases and fact sheets.

This volume is the third and final report in a series reporting on the National Tobacco Campaign (NTC) and focuses on research conducted from November 1998 to November 2000. It includes the addition of two new television commercials produced during this period.

This is the second volume of a two-part compendium designed to assist in the evaluation of the National Tobacco Campaign (NTC), a major initiative launched in 1997 aimed primarily at assisting smokers aged 18-40 years along the road to quitting.

The report is based on surveys evaluating the first phase of the National Tobacco Campaign. The surveys measured campaign reach and recognition, smoking prevalence, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour.

This volume is the third and final report in a series reporting on the National Tobacco Campaign (NTC) and focuses on research conducted from November 1998 to November 2000. It includes the addition of two new television commercials produced during this period.

This is the second volume of a two-part compendium designed to assist in the evaluation of the National Tobacco Campaign (NTC), a major initiative launched in 1997 aimed primarily at assisting smokers aged 18-40 years along the road to quitting.

The ABS assists and encourages informed decision making, research and discussion within governments and the community, by leading a high quality, objective and responsive national statistical service.

This theme page provides a guide to ABS and non-ABS data, statistics and information on aspects of disability, ageing and carers in the Australian population.

These guidelines were prepared by the Australian Health Protection Committee Working Group.

The Commission has been funded by the Australian, State and Territory Governments to develop a national strategic framework and associated work program that will guide its efforts in improving safety and quality across the health care system in Australia.

This section of the web site contains information to the 1996-1997 Budget for the Department of Health and Family Services for the financial year 1996-1997 and to associated media releases and fact sheets.

Offers postgraduate vocational training placements for medical graduates wanting to pursue a career in general practice in Australia.

The Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Programme is funded by the Federal health department to provide laboratory analysis of gonococcal isolates in Australia. The Programme produces an annual report on its findings as well as a report on the WHO Western Pacific Region Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme. This page links to annual reports published since 1996.

The National Palliative Care Program aims to improve access to and quality of palliative care.

The 2001-02 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Aged Care portfolio.

The purpose of the 2004-05 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES), (like that of the Portfolio Budget Statements) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio. They also facilitate understanding of the proposed appropriations in Appropriation Bills (Nos 3 and 4) 2003–04.

The purpose of the 2005-06 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS), is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolio's outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The 2006-07 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The 2007-08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The purpose of the Portfolio Supplementary Estimates Statements (PSES) is to explain Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bills (No. 1) and (No. 2) 2007 08.

AGIMO is working to make Australia a leader in the productive application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to government administration information and services.

Links to media releases, communiques, and publications from the meetings of the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference.

The AIFS is Australia's foremost centre for research and information on family wellbeing.

The AIHW is Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information.

AUSBURNPLAN Stategy Paper - Australian Mass Casualty Burn Disaster Plan, Prepared by Dr David Cooper, Chair National Burn Response Plan Working Party.

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) have agreed that the following list of communicable diseases are to be notified nationally. CDNA have developed a Surveillance Case definition available from this page. A separate Laboratory definition developed by the Public Health Laboratory Network is also available for some diseases.

A list of communicable diseases to be notified nationally was originally endorsed by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) in September 2003. Subsequent changes to the list have been incorporated.

This report provides an overview of the clinical status of people with diabetes attending specialist diabetes services in October 2004.

This report provides an overview of the clinical status of people with diabetes attending specialist diabetes services in January 2007

Australian Prescriber is an independent publication providing readily accessible information about drugs and therapeutics. It covers topics assisting doctors, dentists, pharmacists and students.

The aims of the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program are to improve clinical health outcomes, reduce lifestyle risk factors, maintain health for chronic and complex conditions and improve access to Australian general practice.

ARPANSA, as part of the Health and Ageing Portfolio, is a Federal Government agency charged with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the environment, from the harmful effects of ionising and non ionising radiation.

This report outlines proposed reforms of the Australian sports system, both at the elite and community level.

The Helping Children with Autism package created new items in the Medicare Benefits Schedule; funding for training teachers and supporting playgroups; and provides early intervention and individual assistance packages for children and their families.

AUSBURNPLAN Stategy Paper - Australian Mass Casualty Burn Disaster Plan, Prepared by Dr David Cooper, Chair National Burn Response Plan Working Party.

This page contains information about Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu.

Provides national leadership to increase community awareness, prevention and early intervention of depression and related illnesses.

Fact sheet on Barmah Forest virus.

Provides Medicare rebates and training to increase community access to mental health professionals and team-based mental health care.

Improves community access to quality primary mental health services by providing better education and training for general practitioners and more support for them from allied health professionals and psychiatrists.

This Bulletin is intended to provide a set of hygiene principles that apply whenever people share a home. It describes a precautionary approach to minimise the risk of transmission of all types of blood borne viruses (BBV) because in many common situations, such as bleeding injuries, the BBV status of a person is unknown.

Offers students a greater chance of entry into medical school by providing funding to universities for more than 600 additional commencing medical places each year.

Bone densitometry items (MBS items 12306 - 12323) are outlined in a Ministerial determination and published in the General Medical Services Table (GMST) which is one of several tables of medical services that collectively comprise the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Entry to the Department's web pages on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in animals and its links to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.

Entry to the Department's web pages on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in animals and its links to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.

The Australian Government is committed to protecting, promoting, supporting and monitoring breastfeeding throughout Australia.

Information on Cancer Screening Programs.

Provides cash bonuses to eligible nurses 6 months and 18 months after returning to work in a public or private hospital or residential aged care facility.

This section of the website contains information to the 1999-2000 Budget for the Department of Health and Aged Care for the financial year 1999-2000 and to associated media releases and fact sheets.

The flagship of the 2000-2001 Federal Budget is the Regional Health Strategy: more doctors, better services. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care encourages you to read on to find out more about the various initiatives under this Budget.

The 2001-02 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Aged Care portfolio.

The publication "Building Healthy Communities - A Guide for Community Projects" is a guide for people in small rural communities who want to try new ways to make a difference to chronic disease at a local level.

Provides details, dates and locations of major awareness days weeks and months, related to health and ageing, in the current year.

In 1996, Australian Health Ministers announced cancer as a National Health Priority Area in recognition of the major burden that cancer places on the Australian community.

Information on Cancer Screening Programs.

The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death in Australia.

This page contains links to various career and employment opportunities within the department such as a list of jobs available and special recruitment programs.

Casemix provides the health care industry with a consistent method of classifying types of patients, their treatment and associated costs. It includes developing and implementing casemix classifications, tools and services.

This issue contains annual reports on adverse events following immunisation, rotavirus and foodborne diseases, plus articles on outbreeaks of Salmonella, as well as the regular quarterly data reports.

Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory Agency, assisting people to become self-sufficient and supporting those in need.

This page provides some facts about chikungunya. There have been a number of recent outbreaks however, no outbreaks have been recorded in Australia.

A good start in life is important to the health and wellbeing of children. This page outlines many of the activities being undertaken to enhance child health and wellbeing.

A range of measures have been implemented following the release of the Little Children are Sacred report from the NT Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

A range of measures have been implemented following the release of the Little Children are Sacred report from the NT Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

Cholera is an acute bacterial enteric disease which is transmitted through the ingestion of food or water which has been contaminated with human excreta. This fact sheet covers: background; occurrence; vaccination requirements for travel; treatment; avoidance; quarantine measures.

Information about chronic disease prevention and management.

Medicare rebates for certain allied health services are available for patients with chronic conditions and complex care needs on referral from their GP.

Information on Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items, including MBS item descriptors, explanatory notes, questions and answers, an overview fact sheet and example scenarios regarding the use of CDM items.

A range of measures have been implemented following the release of the Little Children are Sacred report from the NT Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

The collective agreement provides the terms and conditions of employment for all staff.

The purpose of the 2003-04 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio.

The purpose of the 2003-04 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS), is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolio's outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

Information page about the Communicable Diseases Network Australia. It details the Network's background; its various committees and activities; the composition of the Network; and recent publications and contact details.

The Initiative aims to improve service co-ordination and treatment outcomes for people with coexisting mental health and substance use disorders and focuses on the following priority areas.

Under the Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP), one of the key sub-programs is Quality Consumer Services. The objective of this sub-program is to develop and improve consumer-focussed, accessible and coordinated services that promote informed choice and meet consumer needs.

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine or faeces at an inappropriate time or place (the International Continence Society (ICS), 2005).

The 2nd Round of Coordinated Care Trials gave the Commonwealth, States and Territories, healthcare providers, community and Indigenous organisations, and patients an opportunity to adopt innovative and experimental approaches to health services.

Information about Copyright in relation to the Department of Health and Ageing's website.

The Department of Health and Ageing’s 2006-09 Corporate Plan is a high level document that identifies the key strategic directions of the Department and is operationalised through planning and reporting tools such as the Portfolio Budget Statements and divisional business plans. The plan provides staff and external stakeholders with a snapshot of the Department’s vision, goals and priorities.

Fact sheet - Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and a link to printable version in PDF format

This page contains information on the relation between human pituitary hormone treatment and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) as well as Government's initiatives for the control and prevention of CJD.

This page provides information on the Health Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Group (HIAGG).

This issue contains annual reports on adverse events following immunisation, rotavirus and foodborne diseases, plus articles on outbreeaks of Salmonella, as well as the regular quarterly data reports.

The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death in Australia.

This page provides a series of questions and answers on dengue fever.

The Commonwealth Government is investing $780 million in Australia’s dental health, providing $490 million over five years for the Medicare Teen Dental Plan and $290 million over three years for the Commonwealth Dental Health Program.

Medicare dental items (Medicare items 85011-87777) are available for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs, on referral from a GP. Eligible patients can access up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over two consecutive calendar years.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1997-98 against the performance targets presented in the 1997-98, Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1997-98, Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services. In 1997-98 the Department was called Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1998-99 against the performance targets presented in the 1998-99 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1998-99 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1999-2000 against the performance targets presented in the 1999-2000 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1999-2000 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2000-01 against the performance targets presented in the 2000-01 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2000-01 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2001-02 against the performance targets presented in the 2001-02 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2001-02 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2002-03 against the performance targets presented in the 2002-03 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2002-03 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2006-07 against the performance targets presented in the 2006-07 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2006-07 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The purpose of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is to 'enrich Australia through the well managed entry and settlement of people'.

All research involving humans, funded or conducted by the Department of Health and Ageing must be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Departmental Ethics Committee (DEC) is an approved HREC.

The most recent media releases and speeches released by the Department are listed below.

Links to indexed listings of Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing and other relevant portfolio agency's files, from 2004 onwards.

Links to indexed listings of Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing and other relevant portfolio agency's files, from 2004 onwards.

This paper outlines why the Government is developing a National Male Health Policy, what the Government wants the Policy to achieve, and gives information on the consultation process and how you can have your say.

This report presents the main findings of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study, which was the first accurate national study of diabetes prevalence.

Diabetes mellitus was endorsed as a National Health Priority Area at the Australian Health Ministers' Conference in 1996 in recognition of the high prevalence of the disease in Australia, its impact on morbidity and mortality, and its potential for health improvements through prevention and treatment programs.

Responsibility for managing Medicare-funded Diagnostic Imaging (DI) services and determining strategies for maintaining and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of these services is undertaken cooperatively between DI representative groups and the Government as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department).

In June 2007, legislation was enacted to amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 to enable a diagnostic imaging accreditation scheme to be established. Stage 1 of the scheme commenced on 1 July 2008 and covers all diagnostic imaging services except cardiac imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, and obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound.

This section contains all the information you need to know for your practice to obtain accreditation under the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme.

Find out more about the work the Department is currently undertaking to inform the development of the next phase of the Scheme and the proposals for implementation.

This section explains what you need to do by 30 June 2009 to ensure your practice continues to be eligible to provide diagnostic imaging services funded under Medicare

In June 2007, legislation was enacted to amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 to enable a diagnostic imaging accreditation scheme to be established. Stage 1 of the scheme commenced on 1 July 2008 and covers all diagnostic imaging services except cardiac imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, and obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound.

The Diagnostic Imaging Review Consultation Committee (the Committee) will be established to enable diagnostic imaging stakeholders to contribute effectively to the Detailed Review of Funding for Diagnostic Imaging Services (the review) process. Input from diagnostic imaging stakeholders is vital to ensure that the review process is fully informed of relevant issues by providers, referrers, requesters and consumers of diagnostic imaging.

Diphtheria is caused by a toxigenic strain of the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

Pharmaceutical Health and Rational Use of Medicines Committee (PHARM) Direct to consumer advertising of prescription medicines and the quality use of medicines.

Information on the Australian Governments data response

Disclaimer information for users of the Department of Health and Ageing website.

Information for Discretionary Grants

This discussion paper has been prepared by the Department of Health and Ageing as a basis for consultation with diagnostic imaging stakeholders. These consultations will inform the development of advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, regarding options for future funding of diagnostic imaging services. This paper has been developed to guide consultation and discussion by providing an overview of some of the issues identified in respect of the current funding arrangements and to help identify possible alternative options for consideration. These options have not been endorsed by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Minister or the Australian Government.

This discussion paper has been prepared by the Department of Health and Ageing as a basis for consultation with pathology stakeholders. These consultations will inform the development of advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, regarding options for future funding of pathology services. This paper has been developed to guide consultation and discussion by providing an overview of some of the issues identified in respect of the current funding arrangements and to help identify possible alternative options for consideration. These options have not been endorsed by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Minister or the Australian Government.

This section of the website contains information on the Department's divisions.

DoctorConnect has been produced by the Department of Health and Ageing to provide a starting point for both overseas trained doctors (OTDs) who may be considering work in Australia and for employers seeking to recruit them.

Questions and Answers

Information about the Dose Administration Aids and Patient Medication Profile Programs

The Dose Administration Aids (DAA) Program is a component of the Better Community Health Initiative established under Part 5 of the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement. The aim of the DAA Program is to provide an opportunity for prolonging the ability of patients to remain living effectively and confidently within their own homes, through the provision of a DAA service from their community pharmacy.

This section of the site contains a comprehensive range of information relating to eHealth.

for AHMAC meeting 4 October 2007

The early years are a critical period for establishing healthy eating and physical activity behaviours in children. Nutritious food and regular physical activity supports the normal growth and development of children and reduces the risk of developing chronic lifestyle diseases including obesity.

An assessment of access to and use of electronic resources on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses

The various ways you can communicate electronically with the Department.

Application of legal requirements to electronic communications.

Information on how to contact staff in the Department via email.

The Emergency Triage Education Kit (ETEK) provides a nationally consistent approach to the educational preparation of emergency clinicians for the triage role, and promotes the consistent application of the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS).

List of Publications on environmental health currently distributed by the Office of Health Protection of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. This definition excludes behaviour not related to environment, as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural environment, and genetics.

The Environmental Health Committee (enHealth) is a subcommittee of the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC).

This report provides estimates and projections to inform an appropriate public health response to the hepatitis C virus epidemic in Australia, both in terms of preventive measures and treatment needs.

All research involving humans, funded or conducted by the Department of Health and Ageing must be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Departmental Ethics Committee (DEC) is an approved HREC.

A list of the Executives of the Department and Health and Ageing.

Supports medical specialist training opportunities in a broad range of settings to augment the training received in traditional teaching hospitals.

This section of the site provides more detailed information about the National Primary Health Care Strategy External Reference Group.

This section provides an overview of eye conditions in Australia.

Information on the guidelines for sending facsimiles (faxes) to the Department.

FaHCSIA is responsible for social policies and support affecting Australian society and the living standards of Australian families.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED

Handbook of first aid instructions, safety directions and warning statements for agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
Current to 31 December 2009, Edition 4/2009.

Allied health items (Medicare items 813000 to 81360) are available for follow-up services for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent who have had a health assessment conducted by their GP.

The system is based upon a strengthening of the partnership between government, consumers and industry, increased Ministerial direction on policy and a continued close relationship between Australia and New Zealand in the development of joint food standards.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an independent statutory agency established by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. Working within an integrated food regulatory system involving the governments of Australia and the New Zealand Government, we set food standards for the two countries. FSANZ is part of the Australian Government’s Health and Ageing portfolio.

Information about the Department of Health and Ageing's handling of FOI requests.

Provides increased funding to non-government organisations for telephone and web based services, and expanded and enhanced on-line interactive tools.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

Welcome to the Australian Government’s GP Super Clinics Program.

This page provides information to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements relating to grants administered by the Department of Health and Ageing.

This page provides information to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements relating to grants administered by the Department of Health and Ageing.

The health and corrections sectors are committed to working jointly to strengthen the response to emerging public health issues in custodial settings.

The health and corrections sectors are committed to working jointly to strengthen the response to emerging public health issues in custodial settings.

The guidelines provide technical information about the management of a threat, or an outbreak, of smallpox.

Haemophilus influenza type b is a highly contagious bacterium which is known to cause meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, septic arthritis, cellulitis, pericarditis, empyema and osteomyelitis. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

The 2004-2005 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The 2003-04 Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statement for the Department of Health and Ageing for the financial year 2003-04.

The 7th edition of the Health and Ageing Thesaurus is a list of subject terms covering concepts of interest to the Department and is a basis for common terminology across the Department.

The 1997-1998 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.

The 1998-99 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.

Australia has a robust health system with measures in place to provide a comprehensive and effective health response in the event of a disaster or mass casualty event, including a bioterrorist act, natural disaster, bombing or communicable disease outbreak.

The Health Services and Information Branch is currently lead by Assistant Secretary Louise Clarke and is part of the Acute Care Division.

An overarching national change management strategy to improve safety and quality in health care by establishing and maintaining a range of standardised electronic health information products and services for health care providers and consumers.

Your gateway to reliable health information.

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

If body art is not done properly you could suffer nerve damage, scarring or infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. This pamphlet is written in conjunction the Body Art industry and is designed to advise people about the health and safety precautions associated with tattoos, body piercing, branding, cutting and scarification.

If body art is not done properly you could suffer nerve damage, scarring or infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. This pamphlet is written in conjunction the Body Art industry and is designed to advise people about the health and safety precautions associated with tattoos, body piercing, branding, cutting and scarification.

Provides access to practical information and up-dates, news for families, parents, teenagers, children and their carers and older Australians on healthy eating, regular physical activity, overweight and obesity, particularly for children and adolescents and active living.

This page provides a list of all forms used under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program

The Helping Children with Autism package created new items in the Medicare Benefits Schedule; funding for training teachers and supporting playgroups; and provides early intervention and individual assistance packages for children and their families.

The Helping Children with Autism package created new items in the Medicare Benefits Schedule; funding for training teachers and supporting playgroups; and provides early intervention and individual assistance packages for children and their families.

Information about hepatitis C; populations most at risk of hepatitis C in Australia; and Australia's response to the hepatitis C epidemic.

The health and corrections sectors are committed to working jointly to strengthen the response to emerging public health issues in custodial settings.

The health and corrections sectors are committed to working jointly to strengthen the response to emerging public health issues in custodial settings.

The 2nd Edition of the National Hepatitis C Resource Manual aims to enhance the health outcomes of people affected or potentially affected by hepatitis C, by providing standardised, accurate and current information about hepatitis C and associated issues to a wide range of health care providers.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED: The review documents the extent of the problem posed by Hepatitis C - in terms of the prevalence and incidence of infection, the economic costs to Australia, and the social impact of the disease; assesses the performance of the National Hepatitis C Action Plan and the Nationally Coordinated Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Approach; provides a broad analysis of the current national and State- and Territory-level responses to the epidemic; and recommendations on directions and priorities for national action.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED: Eight papers were commissioned to inform of the development of the National Hepatitis C Strategy 1999-2000 to 2003-2004. The papers span the areas of: clinical research, epidemiology, social and behavioural research, and virology and basic scientific research. This publication represents the technical core of the policy development process.

The Department of Health was established in 1921 and has since undergone a number of changes in its name function and structure. The changes are briefly outlined below, including name changes, Health Ministers and Heads of Department.

This page contains the Final Report for the Home Medicines Review Qualitative Research Project

The Australia and New Zealand Horizon Scanning Network (ANZHSN) is an initiative of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and all Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) jurisdictions.

Poor infection control knowledge can contribute to the transmission of bacterial infections, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and HIV. This booklet describes the basic steps body piercers can take to help protect themselves and their customers against the diseases associated with body piercing.

Poor infection control knowledge can contribute to the transmission of bacterial infections, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and HIV. This booklet describes the basic steps body piercers can take to help protect themselves and their customers against the diseases associated with body piercing.

This section contains all the information you need to know for your practice to obtain accreditation under the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme.

The Department provides funding for a range of programs addressing the use of illicit drugs.

Immunisation can protect people against harmful infections, which can cause serious complications, including death.

Provides information about immunisation and Australian immunisation standards, including translations of some materials. See Common questions and answers (fact sheets) and Publications for further information.

Booklet containing four implementation plans: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy 2005-2008; National Hepatitis C Strategy 2005-2008; National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2005-2008; National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2008

The Commonwealth Government Response to the Report of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (JETACAR) highlights the need for a coordinated and balanced approach to better manage the use of antibiotics in humans and food producing animals.

This document outlines the principles involved in, and the procedures necessary for, the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting, referred to as infection control or infection control procedures.

A package of information incorporating posters and pamphlets for the public and health care professionals

Injury is a major cause of preventable death and disability in Australia. Whether intended or accidental, most physical injuries can be prevented by identifying their causes and removing these, or reducing people’s exposure to them.

The International Surveillance Report contains information on the surveillance of various disease outbreaks of significance outside of Australia.

This page contains introductory information on the aims and accessibility of the Communicable Diseases Intelligence journal.

An annual report on invasive pneumococcal disease is produced each year. The report includes information on incidence of disease and on laboratory surveillance. This page contains links to the annual reports from 2001.

This page contains general facts about Japanese encephalitis virus.

The Commonwealth Government Response to the Report of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (JETACAR) highlights the need for a coordinated and balanced approach to better manage the use of antibiotics in humans and food producing animals.

Kunjin virus (KUNV) was first isolated from mosquitoes collected in north Queensland in 1960. It is closely related to the West Nile virus.

A listing of Legislation administered by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

The Department of Health and Ageing's Regulatory Plan for 2008-09

The Lifescripts initiative provides general practice with tools and skills to help patients address the main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease: smoking; poor nutrition; alcohol misuse; physical inactivity; and unhealthy weight. The initiative assists with the provision of tailored advice to patients on modifying their lifestyle.

This section of the website lists all current tenders and grants.

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health is a landmark 20-year study to identify trends in women’s health. The study is now past its halfway point and continues to provide valuable information on women across three generations, as a guide to future policy.

MRI is an expensive and sophisticated technology and since its introduction on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), MRI has been carefully managed through requester, provider and item level restrictions. These controls help support the provision of high quality, safe and cost-effective health care for all Australians.

A list of medicare eligible units for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and their locations.

Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by one or more of four Plasmodium species - vivax, falciparum, malariae and ovale. The incidence and severity of malaria worldwide is increasing and its prevention and treatment is becoming more difficult due to resistance of the parasites to currently available drugs.

Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by one or more of four Plasmodium species. The disease is transmitted between humans by an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

The structure of the Department of Health and Ageing's Central Office, its Divisions and their roles within the Department.

MBS Online contains the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), a listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian government.

In facilitating a more transparent approach to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) listing process, the Department has replaced the informal internal assessment of new MBS item applications with a more formal process that will determine eligibility for MBS listing and the appropriate assessment pathway.

In the 2009-10 Budget, the Australian Government announced that it would provide $9.3 million over two years to develop and implement a new evidence-based framework for managing the MBS into the future – the MBS Quality Framework. The Quality Framework will establish new listing, pricing and review mechanisms that ensure that prospective and already listed items are effective and safe, likely to lead to improved health outcomes for patients and represent value for money. The Australian Government will consider the future of the program in the 2011-12 Budget.

Measles is a highly infectious acute disease caused by a virus of the genus Morbillivirus, of the family Paramyxoviridae. This fact sheet covers the disease and its agent, spread of infection, prevention, surveillance and reporting.

Links to the most recently issued media releases, speeches, newsletters and health warnings.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is the cornerstone of the Australian health care system as it facilitates universal access to allied health, general practice and specialist medical services. The Australian Government announced in the 2009-10 Budget that it would provide $9.3 million over two years to develop and implement a new evidence-based framework for managing the MBS into the future – the MBS Quality Framework.

This section of the site contains information relating to medical indemnity programs.

Scholarships for students who agree to practise in rural or remote areas of Australia upon completion of basic medical and postgraduate training.

The principal role of the MSAC is to advise the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing on evidence relating to the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new medical technologies and procedures. This advice informs Australian Government decisions about public funding for new and in some cases existing medical procedures.

The Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program improves access to specialist services in rural and remote Australia.

The Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program improves access to specialist services in rural and remote Australia.

MBS Online contains the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), a listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian government.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) health assessment items represent a cross-section of the Australian Government's initiatives in the area of primary health care.

Medicare statisitcs for the December Quarter 2007 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the December Quarter 2008 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statistics for the December Quarter 2009 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the June Quarter 2008 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the June Quarter 2009 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the March Quarter 2008 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the March Quarter 2009 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statisitcs for the September Quarter 2008 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Medicare statistics for the September Quarter 2009 together with data for earlier quarters and financial years.

Information on Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews (DMMR), a collaborative medication review for people in the community, and the Residential Medication Review (RMMR) for residents of aged care facilities.

Meningococcal disease is an invasive bacteria which presents as meningitis, or rarely, as chronic meningococcaemia or septic arthritis. This fact sheet covers: background; meningococcal disease in Australia; spread of infection; treatment; vaccination; and State/Territory and Commonwealth roles.

Information on initiatives to build the capacity of the mental health care system to ensure that Australians with or at risk of mental illness, and their families and carers, have access to quality health and support services to meet their needs.

The peak national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector.

Improves training programs for health professionals by expanding the mental health components of undergraduate health training.

Provides a non-MBS incentive payment to organisations which engage mental health nurses to assist in the provision of coordinated clinical care for people with severe mental disorders.

Offers scholarships for graduate studies in mental health nursing or clinical psychology.

Builds the capacity of rural and remote drought affected communities to respond to the psychological impact of drought through community outreach and crisis counselling, and awareness and education.

IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

The Commonwealth assumed ownership of the Mersey Community Hospital from the Tasmanian Government on 23 November 2007.

Heads of Agreement for the management, operation and funding of the Mersey Community Hospital

The Department of Health and Ageing has four Ministers and one Parliamentary Secretary.

Scholarships for students who agree to practise in rural or remote areas of Australia upon completion of basic medical and postgraduate training.

Ms Jane Halton, PSM, is Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing.

Mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is a flavivirus. It has the capacity to cause severe human disease, with encephalitis being the most notable clinical feature.

This section explains what you need to do by 30 June 2009 to ensure your practice continues to be eligible to provide diagnostic imaging services funded under Medicare

The Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy 2005-2008 has been developed to assist key stakeholders to progress and monitor activities on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and should be read in conjunction with the strategy.

The Australian Government's information site for alcohol. Here you will find information on alcohol-related health, science, news, and Australian Government policy.

The National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy 2008-2011 (the Strategy) has been developed within the existing legislative framework and focuses on prevention, supply reduction and treatment in a partnership framework.

Monograph Series No. 69 - This background paper is a companion paper to the National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy 2008-2011, and describes the goals and objectives of the Strategy and the priority areas for action. It was prepared to provide greater insight into the Strategy for researchers and other interested parties.

This page contains links to the NAMAC annual reports, which are published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence. The reports also inlcude data on the Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Programme, which is used to provide an early warning of increased flavivirus activity in Australia.

Information on Cancer Screening Programs.

Provides details, dates and locations of major awareness days weeks and months, related to health and ageing, in the current year.

Information on Cancer Screening Programs.

The Initiative aims to improve service co-ordination and treatment outcomes for people with coexisting mental health and substance use disorders and focuses on the following priority areas.

The National Drug Strategy (NDS) aims to prevent and reduce the uptake of harmful drug use and minimise the harmful effects of licit and illicit drug use in Australian society. The NDS adopts a comprehensive approach which encompasses the misuse of both licit and illicit drugs.

The National Drugs Campaign is part of the National Illicit Drug Strategy and specifically aims to reduce young Australians' motivation to use illicit drugs by increasing their knowledge about the potential negative consequences of drug use.

The National E-Health Strategy

Brings together eating disorder experts to help develop a consistent approach to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

These Guidelines have been developed by the Blood Borne Virus and Sexually Transmissible Infections Sub-Committee (BBVSS) of the Australian Population Health Development Principal Committee (APHDPC), to inform, support and harmonise approaches by Australia’s States and Territories to the management of people with HIV who place others at risk of HIV infection.

These Guidelines have been developed by the Blood Borne Virus and Sexually Transmissible Infections Sub-Committee (BBVSS) of the Australian Population Health Development Principal Committee (APHDPC), to inform, support and harmonise approaches by Australia’s States and Territories to the management of people with HIV who place others at risk of HIV infection.

NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research; for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments; and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.

An Act relating to the provision of pharmaceutical, sickness and hospital benefits, and of medical and dental services.

The 2nd Edition of the National Hepatitis C Resource Manual aims to enhance the health outcomes of people affected or potentially affected by hepatitis C, by providing standardised, accurate and current information about hepatitis C and associated issues to a wide range of health care providers.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED: The National Hepatitis C Strategy 1999-2000 to 2003-2004 was launched in June 2000 by the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. The Strategy has two primary aims to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C in Australia, and to minimise the personal and social impacts of hepatitis C infection.

The National Hepatitis C Strategy provides a foundation for national action that will guide Australia’s response to hepatitis C over the next three years.

The Implementation Plan for the National Hepatitis C Strategy 2005-2008 has been developed to assist key stakeholders to progress and monitor activities on hepatitis C across the health sector and should be read in conjunction with the strategy.

The National Hepatitis C Testing Policy has been developed as a concise source of standardised currently available information to assist government, health professionals, industry, people living with hepatitis C, and the community in general, about matters associated with hepatitis C testing.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN RESCINDED: The National HIV/AIDS Strategy 1999-2000 to 2003-2004 builds on an important foundation established under previous HIV/AIDS Strategies - the partnership between and with affected communities, governments at all levels, and medical, scientific and healthcare professionals.

The Implementation Plan for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2005-2008 has been developed to assist key stakeholders to progress and monitor activities on HIV/AIDS across the health sector and should be read in conjunction with the strategy.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2005-2008 has identified five priority areas for action to be addressed over the life of the Strategy: development of a targeted prevention education and health promotion program for HIV; improving the health of people living with HIV/AIDS; developing an effective response to the changing care and support needs of people living with HIV/AIDS; a review of the National HIV Testing Policy; and the provision of a clearer direction for HIV/AIDS research.

The National Drugs Campaign is part of the National Illicit Drug Strategy and specifically aims to reduce young Australians' motivation to use illicit drugs by increasing their knowledge about the potential negative consequences of drug use.

The National Incident Room was established to ensure a nationally consistent and coordinated response to a national health emergency.

The Australian Government regulator of industrial chemicals.

Phone numbers for national programs and information lines (eg. Aged Care Information Line).

As part of the NHMRC, NICS works to improve health care by helping close important gaps between best available evidence (what we know) and current clinical practice (what we do).

The Government has committed to developing National Male and Women's Health Policies, to ensure that specific health needs of both men and women are addressed.

The Government is developing a National Male Health Policy. The Policy will focus on reducing the barriers men experience in accessing health services, tackling widespread reticence amongst men to seek treatment, improving male-friendly health services, and raising awareness of preventable health problems that affect men.

Australia's National Medicines Policy is a cooperative endeavour to bring about better health outcomes for all Australians, focusing especially on people’s access to, and wise use of, medicines. The term “medicine” includes prescription and non-prescription medicines, including complementary healthcare products.

A-Z listing of publications relevant to National Medicines Policy (NMP).

A project to reduce and, where possible, eliminate seclusion and restraint in public mental health services.

This collection will enable the further development of outcomes and casemix concepts in mental health.

Describes Australia's policy for palliative care.

An initiative to improve prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression and provide better support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing depression.

Free, confidential, professional telephone counselling for women or their partners who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, announced on 11 June 2008 that the Rudd Government will develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st century, and make sure that families can get the health care they need.

This section of the site provides more detailed information about the National Primary Health Care Strategy External Reference Group.

The National Psychostimulants Initiative (NPI) aims to reduce harms and prevent harms associated with psychostimulant use in the Australian community.

The National Public Toilet Map (the Map) shows the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia.

The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP) aims to improve access to health services by providing funding to rural and remote communities where the lack of infrastructure is a barrier to the establishment of new, or the enhancement of existing health services.

Represents Rural Health Clubs, whose members are medical, nursing and allied health students at universities throughout Australia

The Implementation Plan for the National STIs Strategy 2005-2008 has been developed to assist key stakeholders to progress and monitor activities on sexually transmissible infections across the health sector and should be read in conjunction with the strategy.

Promotes suicide prevention activities across the Australian population, as well as for specific at-risk groups.

A collaborative quit-smoking health initiative between federal, state, and territory governments and non-government organisations. This is the first time all have come together on this scale in a campaign to reduce smoking. Between 1996 and 2004 the federal government has committed $21.3 million to the campaign.

A collaborative quit-smoking health initiative between federal, state, and territory governments and non-government organisations. This is the first time all have come together on this scale in a campaign to reduce smoking. Between 1996 and 2004 the federal government has committed $21.3 million to the campaign.

This page contains an overview of the National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee (NAMAC).

The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) supports increased education, counselling and referral services provided through community based programs; and diversification of NSPs to increase accessibility through pharmacies and other outlets and provide information and training support.

Supports early intervention for children and young people who are at highest risk of developing mental health problems, or who are showing early behavioural signs or symptoms of mental health problems.

Questions and answers about the emergency response in the Northern Territory

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) have agreed that the following list of communicable diseases are to be notified nationally. CDNA have developed a Surveillance Case definition available from this page. A separate Laboratory definition developed by the Public Health Laboratory Network is also available for some diseases.

A list of communicable diseases to be notified nationally was originally endorsed by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) in September 2003. Subsequent changes to the list have been incorporated.

This page contains a report on the progress of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Child Health Check Initiative

A range of measures have been implemented following the release of the Little Children are Sacred report from the NT Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

A range of measures have been implemented following the release of the Little Children are Sacred report from the NT Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

Responsibility for managing Medicare-funded Diagnostic Imaging (DI) services and determining strategies for maintaining and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of these services is undertaken cooperatively between DI representative groups and the Government as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department).

Scholarships to assist registered nurses to upgrade their skills to nurse practitioners.

Offers incentives to individuals wishing to pursue or build on a career in rural or remote area nursing and to nurses wishing to re-enter the nursing workforce anywhere in Australia.

Encourages general practice to employ more practice nurses.

The Healthy Living Branch is responsible for developing and evaluating national policy, resources and initiatives in the areas of nutrition and healthy eating, health promoting physical activity and promoting healthy weight.

This section of the website contains information on nutrition and healthy eating, physical activity and promoting healthy weight.

Welcome to the Australian Government’s Office of Rural Health website.

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has been established within the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to provide administrative support to the Gene Technology Regulator in the performance of her functions under the Gene Technology Act 2000.

This page contains information on how service providers may apply for Extra Service Status in the March 2010 round.

This page provides general information on organ and tissue donation and the answers to a number of frequently asked questions.

This section of the website provides an overview of the information on organ and tissue donation and links to further information.

Australia’s health system is world class, supporting universal and affordable access to high quality medical, pharmaceutical and hospital services, while helping people to stay healthy through health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. This definition excludes behaviour not related to environment, as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural environment, and genetics.

The purpose of the Divisions of General Practice Program (the Divisions Program) is to provide services and support to general practice at the local level, through Divisions of General Practice, to achieve health outcomes for the community that would not otherwise be achieved on an individual GP basis.

PHERP is an Australian Government initiative that aims to strengthen national capacity to educate and train Australia's public health workforce, so that it is well-prepared and responsive in the protection, improvement and promotion of Australia's health.

Enhancing surveillance for foodborne disease in Australia

This section of the website contains information on the Pacific Senior Health Officials Network.

The Packer Policy Fellowship Program commenced in the 2004-05 financial year and is named in honour of the late Mr Kerry Packer AC, Chairman of Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, for his generous support of the program.

What is meant by the term palliative care, when and where it is provided and by whom.

The National Palliative Care Program aims to improve access to and quality of palliative care.

Describes Australia's policy for palliative care.

Pathology involves testing blood, body secretions and samples of tissue to establish the causes, progression and severity of disease.

The Pathology Review Consultation Committee (the Committee) will be established to enable pathology stakeholders to contribute effectively to the Detailed Review of Funding for Pathology Services (the review) process. Input from pathology stakeholders is vital to ensure that the review process is fully informed of relevant issues by providers, requesters and consumers of pathology.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a serious, sometimes fatal, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium, Bordetella pertussis. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

This web page has been designed to provide up to date information about the Australian Government’s Petrol Sniffing Prevention Program (PSPP).

Contains the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, a listing of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme administered by the Department of Health and Ageing and Medicare Australia.

The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians outline the minimum levels of physical activity required to gain a health benefit and ways to incorporate incidental physical activity into everyday life.

Various ways you can communicate with the Department via physical media (eg CD-ROM, disk).

Population Health Division is committed to improving the health and well being of Australians and to reducing preventable mortality and morbidity caused by chronic disease.

This page contains information on the relation between human pituitary hormone treatment and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) as well as Government's initiatives for the control and prevention of CJD.

Fact sheet on plague including background; occurrence; vaccination requirements for travel; treatment; avoidance; quarantine measures.

The Point of Care Testing (PoCT) in General Practice Trial was an Australian Government funded multi-centre, cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT), to investigate and evaluate the safety, clinical effectiveness cost effectiveness and satisfaction of PoCT in a general practice environment. This is the executive summary of the Point of Care Testing Trial Report

Poliomyelitis (polio) is an acute illness following gastrointestinal infection by one of the three types of poliovirus. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

Contains the 1999-2000 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

These statements have been developed, and are submitted to the parliament, as a statement on the funding requirements being sought for the portfolio.

This page gives access to the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements for the Department of Health and Ageing for the financial year 2002-2003.

The purpose of the 2004-05 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES), (like that of the Portfolio Budget Statements) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio. They also facilitate understanding of the proposed appropriations in Appropriation Bills (Nos 3 and 4) 2003–04.

The 1996-97 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.

The 1999-2000 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.

The purpose of the 2002-03 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS), is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolio's outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

The services provided by the Health and Ageing portfolio are delivered through 23 portfolio outcomes.

The Diagnostic Services Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for managing public funding of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) services in Australia

A retro picture postcard for body artists, to provide health information to clients.

There have been improvements to the availability of counselling and support for women and their partners who are concerned about a pregnancy through the provision of Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling MBS Items and the National Pregnancy Support Helpline.

Free, confidential, professional telephone counselling for women or their partners who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

Free, confidential, professional telephone counselling for women or their partners who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

The Prevention of type 2 diabetes program is designed to help delay or possibly prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by targeting the associated risk factors.

A comparative analysis of preventive health services in Australia and the USA - By Dr Joan Stieber - February 2005

Encourages junior doctors to take up general practice as a career by funding placements in outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas, and other areas of medical service need.

The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, announced on 11 June 2008 that the Rudd Government will develop a National Primary Health Care Strategy to better tackle the health challenges of the 21st century, and make sure that families can get the health care they need.

Privacy and security information for users of the Department of Health and Ageing website.

The Private Health Insurance Branch supports the Australian community's access to affordable private health services through maintaining the public/private mix and choice in health services through a viable private health insurance industry.

Promotes the health and wellbeing of people who have experienced torture and trauma prior to their arrival in Australia.

This page contains a report on the progress of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Child Health Check Initiative

Promoting healthy weight focuses on the prevention and management of overweight and obesity. In Australia, the 2007-08 National Health Survey showed that some 61% of the adult population (18 years and over) were overweight or obese, with 25% of these classified as obese.

Home page for Public Health Laboratory Network.

The PHOFAs are bilateral funding agreements between the Commonwealth and each state and territory.

This is the documents page where a list of all publications relevant to the National Medicines Policy can be found. Search under title of document, author or find the document using the alphabetical listings.

The objective of human quarantine activities is to prevent the introduction into Australia of potentially fatal communicable human diseases. Those diseases which are currently subject to quarantine controls are cholera, plague, rabies, yellow fever and viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Quarantine Act

A collaborative quit-smoking health initiative between federal, state, and territory governments and non-government organisations. This is the first time all have come together on this scale in a campaign to reduce smoking. Between 1996 and 2004 the federal government has committed $21.3 million to the campaign.

Newsletters are published periodically about the work and priorities of the Quality Use of Pathology Committee (QUPC) which oversees the Quality Use of Pathology Program (QUPP)

Rabies is an ancient viral disease which exists in a carrier state in certain wild animal populations. This fact sheet covers general information for the general public.

Rabies is an ancient viral disease which exists in a carrier state in certain wild animal populations. This fact sheet covers: background; occurrence; vaccination requirements for travel; treatment; avoidance; quarantine measures.

The National Single Machine Unit (SMU) Radiotherapy Trial was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and commenced in 1999. The aim of the trial was to improve access to, and utilisation of, radiotherapy services for Victorian rural patients, while maintaining acceptable standards of care.

Provides financial incentives for general practice registrars who undertake the majority of their general practice training in rural and remote locations.

The Department of Health and Ageing's Regulatory Plan for 2008-09

The project sought to establish the best material and preparation method of specimens to issue to laboratories as a means of assessing laboratory testing performance to HPV DNA. Two pilot studies were conducted with Quality Use of Pathology Program funds to ensure that changes/adjustments to the material preparation were satisfactory and appropriate for evaluating testing performance of participating laboratories using a variety of assays.

A comparative analysis of preventive health services in Australia and the USA - By Dr Joan Stieber - February 2005

This is a publication of the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council which is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and defines the requirements for cytogenetic testing.

This is a publication of the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) which is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

From 1 November 2004 a new item has been available for Medication Management Reviews in residential aged care homes. GPs are now able to claim item 903 for a Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR).

The Government has requested a detailed review of funding arrangements for diagnostic imaging, to ensure that the Government is paying the right amount in the right way to support access for patients to quality diagnostic imaging services.

The Government has requested a detailed review of funding arrangements for pathology, to ensure that the Government is paying the right amount to support access for patients to quality pathology services.

An independent review has been undertaken by Professor John Mathews, an eminent scientist with 40 years experience as a medical researcher. This report provides updates and describes the advances in scientific knowledge in relation to food and the flow on implications to human blood, human blood products and other human therapeutic goods since the last update in 2006.

The Medicare provider number legislation is reviewed every five years.

This page contains information on the roles of the Office of Health Protection and the responsibilities of each Branch and Section.

Ross River virus (RRV) infection is the most common and most widespread arboviral disease in Australia, with sometimes thousands of clinical cases occurring in epidemics. Disease notifications in Australia average about 4,800 per year.

This section of the website contains information on the Australian Governement's new General Practice After Hours and the former Round the Clock Medicare: Investing in After Hours GP Services Programs.

Information on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and its delivery of primary health services to people in rural and remote Australia.

The RFDS services rural and remote Australia by providing a comprehensive range of health services.

Rubella (German measles) is usually a mild febrile disease caused by a virus of the family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

Funding to specialist colleges for specialist training initiatives such as mentoring, workshops and distance education in rural Australia.

Funds a network of rural clinical schools to enable students to undertake extended clinical training placements in rural locations.

Provides television-based health education for doctors, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals in rural and remote areas.

Funds initiatives to recruit and retain rural health workers by providing them with appropriate support, education and training.

Comprises various initiatives, including undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and an emergency locum scheme, designed to recruit, train and retain pharmacists in rural and remote areas.

Funds Australian medical schools to promote the selection of rural applicants, develop support systems for students with an interest in rural medicine, and provide short-term rural placements for medical students.

Contains the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, a listing of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme administered by the Department of Health and Ageing and Medicare Australia.

This page contains a list of contracts of $100,000 or more which are current or were entered into by the Department of Health and Ageing during the previous twelve months

This page contains information on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Smallpox is a serious infectious disease, which was once frequent, particularly in socially disadvantaged countries. Smallpox infection was eradicated from Australia many years ago, and WHO announced worldwide eradication in 1979.

Information on the development of a stronger and internationally competitive Australian sports sector and encouragement of greater participation in sport by all Australians.

Provides funding to support the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in the development of a flexible, more transparent Fellowship training program

Submissions received by the Department in response to the February 2009 Information Paper, Moving to the Next Phase of Accreditation

Provides additional places in programs that promote healthy social interaction and community participation for people with a severe mental illness.

Introduction to the work undertaken by the Surveillance Branch, Office of Health Protection, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The Government has requested a detailed review of funding arrangements for diagnostic imaging, to ensure that the Government is paying the right amount in the right way to support access for patients to quality diagnostic imaging services.

The Government has requested a detailed review of funding arrangements for pathology, to ensure that the Government is paying the right amount to support access for patients to quality pathology services.

Tetanus, sometimes called lock-jaw, is an acute disease caused by a neurotoxic exotoxin of the acteria, Clostridium tetani. This fact sheet covers: the disease and its agent; spread of infection; prevention; surveillance and reporting.

The TGA carries out a range of assessment and monitoring activities to ensure therapeutic goods available in Australia are of an acceptable standard with the aim of ensuring that the Australian community has access, within a reasonable time, to therapeutic advances.

The National Tobacco Strategy aims to improve the health of all Australians by eliminating or reducing their exposure to tobacco in all its forms.

The National Public Toilet Map (the Map) shows the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia.

Training manuals designed for the education and training of frontline workers in the illcit drugs field.

The Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health (OCSEH) is responsible for granting permits and licenses that authorise the import and export of certain narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, antibiotics and androgenic/anabolic substances controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation and Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations.

Funding for universities to provide opportunities for students to practise their clinical skills in a rural environment.

Find out more about the work the Department is currently undertaking to inform the development of the next phase of the Scheme and the proposals for implementation.

This report was commissioned by the Department of Health and Ageing. It uses mathematical transmission models to evaluate the alternative interventions available for the control of an emerged pandemic of influenza.

This is the second report on vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and complements the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Vaccination Coverage reports produced biannually since 2000.

Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) is a highly infectious, and often fatal, disease. This fact sheet covers: background; occurrence; vaccination; treatment; avoidance; quarantine measures.

Viral Hepatitis is a condition of the liver. This can be caused by a number of things, such as chemicals, alcohol, drugs and infection by viruses.

The Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS) aims to improve the access of people living and working in remote and very remote communities to optometric services.

Introduction to the work undertaken by the Surveillance Branch, Office of Health Protection, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health is a landmark 20-year study to identify trends in women’s health. The study is now past its halfway point and continues to provide valuable information on women across three generations, as a guide to future policy.

Information about the Australian Government’s proposed reform package for organ and tissue donation for transplantation.

Yellow fever is a viral disease of short duration and varying severity that is transmitted primarily by various mosquito species. This fact sheet covers: background; occurrence; vaccination requirement for travel; treatment; avoidance; quarantine measures; yellow fever vaccination certificate.

The information contained on the sheet is intented to provide advice for health professionals.

Overview of the health of Australia's young people.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1997-98 against the performance targets presented in the 1997-98, Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1997-98, Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services. In 1997-98 the Department was called Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1998-99 against the performance targets presented in the 1998-99 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1998-99 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 1999-2000 against the performance targets presented in the 1999-2000 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 1999-2000 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2000-01 against the performance targets presented in the 2000-01 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2000-01 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Aged Care Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2001-02 against the performance targets presented in the 2001-02 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2001-02 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

Components of Budget 2001-02 relating to the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2002-03 against the performance targets presented in the 2002-03 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2002-03 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2003-04 against the performance targets presented in the 2003-04 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2003-04 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2003-04 against the performance targets presented in the 2003-04 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2003-04 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The purpose of the Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements No 2 (PSAES2) is to explain Appropriation Bill No 5 2004-05 and Appropriation Bill No 6 2004-05. This document serves to inform senators and members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of extra appropriation resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio.

The purpose of the Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements No 2 (PSAES2) is to explain Appropriation Bill No 5 2004-05 and Appropriation Bill No 6 2004-05. This document serves to inform senators and members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of extra appropriation resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2004-05 against the performance targets presented in the 2004-05 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2004-05 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The purpose of the 2005-06 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES), (like that of the Portfolio Budget Statements) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio. They also facilitate understanding of the proposed appropriations in Appropriation Bills (Nos 3 and 4) 2005–06. Please find attached PDF and RTF of the 2005-06 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2005-06 against the performance targets presented in the 2005-06 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2005-06 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament and Senators with a detailed description of the Department's activities during 2006-07 against the performance targets presented in the 2006-07 Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2006-07 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements, for the Health and Ageing Portfolio.

The purpose of the 2006-07 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES), (like that of the Portfolio Budget Statements) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio. They also facilitate understanding of the proposed appropriations in Appropriation Bills (Nos 3 and 4) 2006-07.

The Department of Health and Ageing’s 2006-09 Corporate Plan is a high level document that identifies the key strategic directions of the Department and is operationalised through planning and reporting tools such as the Portfolio Budget Statements and divisional business plans. The plan provides staff and external stakeholders with a snapshot of the Department’s vision, goals and priorities.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament, Senators and the public with a detailed description of the Department’s activities during 2007-08, reporting against the performance and financial information presented in the 2007-08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2007-08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.

The primary purpose of the Annual Report is to provide Members of Parliament, Senators and the public with a detailed description of the Department’s activities during 2007-08, reporting against the performance and financial information presented in the 2007-08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements and the 2007-08 Health and Ageing Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements.