Australians enjoy a world-class health system provided by a mix of public and private services and professionals. All Australians are covered by Medicare, a public health insurance system, while 43 per cent also have private health insurance. Medicare covers medical and some optical expenses but not dental or complementary healthcare.
The outlook for the industry is positive, with expected growth in demand for services. The ongoing skills shortages in the sector means that demand for related health, disability services workers, aged care, children’s services and nursing is expected to remain high. For more information, visit Skills Victoria.
Melbourne’s health services
Melbourne has a number of well regarded public and private hospitals in or near the city, including the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Private Hospital. In the last 10 years, the Victorian Government has had a particular focus on rebuilding Victoria's health infrastructure. In Melbourne's case, the Royal Melbourne, Royal Women's and Royal Children's Hospitals have undergone major redevelopments.
Local health businesses can draw on a large pool of health graduates in Melbourne. The city’s well-respected institutions for studying medicine, health and support services include the University of Melbourne, Endeavour College of Natural Health,Victoria University and RMIT University.
Victoria’s health sector also includes the full range of specialist services, from mental health care to hearing services, general practitioners and a wide variety of other healthcare specialists. The Albert Road Clinic is an 80-bed private psychiatric unit close to the city centre.
The city is a world-renowned centre for cancer research and treatment, with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute a key example. Joint federal and state funding has recently been announced for a new integrated cancer treatment and research centre to be located in Parkville. See Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Research and conferences
Major health conferences are held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For example, the World Congress of Internal Medicine will be held there in March 2010.
Melbourne is at the cutting edge of medical research with key players including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Baker IDI Institute and the Burnet Institute for Medical Research. See Biotechnology overview for more information.
Setting up a health business
Funding and regulation is shared between federal, state and local governments. Most healthcare businesses will need to be registered with some level of government before commencing operation.
The following health professionals must register with the state of Victoria:
- Chinese medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners and Chinese herbal dispensers)
- chiropractors
- dental care providers (dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental prosthetists)
- medical practitioners
- medical radiation practitioners
- nurses
- optometrists
- osteopaths
- pharmacists
- physiotherapists
- podiatrists
- psychologists.
See Health Practitioner Regulation in Victoria.
Other businesses under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act
Some businesses that are not obviously related to medicine and health are also subject to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act, including accommodation and hairdressing.
Any business that involves the following procedures needs to comply with the act:
- Facial or body treatment
- Application of cosmetics
- Manicure or pedicure
- Application or mending of artificial nails
- Hair removal (including waxing and electrolysis)
- Hairdressing
- Tattooing
- Piercing or other skin penetration
- Colonic irrigation
- Prescribed accommodation.
See Information for health businesses.
Research