2024–25 Pre-Budget Submission

The Government has an obligation, social and economic contract to rural communities to support the full spectrum of primary healthcare services throughout the country and the need for a multidisciplinary approach which utilises the full skillset of the variety of health practitioners is acknowledged in its work as part of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and Scope of Practice review. [...] Proposal The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care works with the Alliance, state and territory departments of health and rural/regional/remote health ministers, key rural health stakeholders, and rural communities, to develop a contemporary, comprehensive, action-oriented and measurable National Rural Health Strategy and Implementation Plan. [...] This plan will link with the National Health Reform Agreement – Addendum and any future agreements, align with other strategies related to rural health, such as the National Health and Climate Strategy and various health practitioner workforce strategies of the Government, to drive action and sustainable change across the sector and around the nation. [...] This proposal is a collaboration of the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) and the Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH), with the support and input from the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner. [...] • This plan will link with the National Health Reform Agreement – Addendum and any future agreements, align with other strategies related to rural health, such as the National Health and Climate Strategy and various health practitioner workforce strategies of the Government, to drive action and sustainable change across the sector and around the nation.