Health and Aged Care Services in Rural and Remote Australia

Abstract

Expansive in territory and relatively sparse in population, Australia has long faced disparities in healthcare access, service use, and quality of life between urban cities and remote rural areas. To address these issues, the Australian government has helped develop geographical classification systems like the ASGS-RA and the Monash Model and put them to use in determining the eligibility, scope, and levels of government support. Various policy instruments have been employed, including financial support, IT-assisted remote services, and integrated healthcare, caregiving, and social services, all aimed at better assisting areas that lack infrastructure and human resources. Australia’s geographical classification systems, tailored support policy, and service provision methods could offer valuable lessons for Korea—where the circumstances are such that with populations declining in an increasing number of localities, concerns are rising over the potential extinction of non-urban areas—to improve access to health and caregiving services for older adults and ensure a standard quality of life for all residents throughout the country.