Q. What are the three most important issues in Australia’s health system for you personally? (Number from 1 to 3)
| Total 3 most important
|
First | Second | Third | |
| Cost of health insurance | 44% | 19% | 11% | 14% |
| Quality of care in hospitals | 39% | 15% | 13% | 11% |
| Cost of primary care i.e. GP, specialists | 34% | 10% | 13% | 11% |
| Access to a GP | 32% | 14% | 11% | 7% |
| Cost of dental services | 32% | 9% | 11% | 12% |
| Access to emergency departments | 30% | 9% | 11% | 10% |
| Elective surgery waiting lists | 26% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
| Cost of hospital care | 19% | 4% | 8% | 7% |
| Availability of mental health services | 12% | 4% | 3% | 5% |
| Support for aged care | 12% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Don’t know | 5% | 5% | 1% | 1% |
The most important health issues were thought to be cost of health insurance (44%), quality of care in hospitals (39%) and cost of primary care (34%). Access to a GP (32%), cost of dental services (32%) and access to emergency departments were also important.
Those on lower incomes tended to give greater importance to access to a GP (37% of those earning under $1,000pw) and cost of dental services (42% of those earning under $1,000pw). 24% of those aged 55+ nominated support for aged care as important.
