Australia Healthcare

Australia is the ninth-largest export market for U.S. manufacturers of medical products. Australia’s world-class health system and high standard of medical practice aims to support universal and affordable access to high-quality medical, pharmaceutical and hospital services. With more than 85 percent of its medical products coming from abroad, the Australian medical industry is dependent on imports. The United States is Australia’s principal supplier of medical equipment followed by China and Germany.

Australia is a mature market for medical equipment. Due to the demand for the full range of sophisticated medical equipment and the expectation for state-of-the-art medical treatment, there is a continuing need for high quality, innovative medical products. Opportunities exist for state-of-the-art medical technology that can result in a significant improvement in clinical outcomes.

Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world and ranks seventh amongst OECD countries – 80.7 years for males and 84.9 years for females.  However, Australia is facing a challenging chronic disease burden and its consequent effect on disability and death. Prevalent conditions include asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, vascular heart disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.

The key findings of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) recently released report on Australia’s Burden of Disease identified the five disease groups that caused the most burden: cancer (18%), musculoskeletal conditions (13%), cardiovascular diseases (13%), mental and substance use disorders (13%) and injuries (8%).  Together these disease groups accounted for two-thirds of total burden, and except for injuries, these disease groups include mostly chronic or long-lasting conditions. When considering individual diseases, the leading five diseases causing burden are: coronary heart disease (6%), back pain (4.5%), dementia (4%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.5%) and lung cancer (3%).

For more information contact office.sydney@trade.gov.