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Primary care provides the foundation for universal healthcare, working hard to keep all Australians healthy and well in the community, and to deliver care that meets the needs of people and communities at all stages of life, no matter where they live and when they need care.

Generally, primary care is the first service people access for healthcare. Primary care can be informed by a relationship built over time in the context of a person’s family, carers and cultural background. Primary care providers can play a critical function in connecting patients to other services including community-based services, hospitals and specialist providers.

Primary care includes diagnosis and treatment of health conditions and long-term care, health promotion and prevention services. Types of primary care in Australia include, but are not limited to:

  • general practice (GP)
  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
  • community health centres and walk-in clinics
  • community pharmacies
  • community nursing services
  • oral health and dental services
  • mental health services
  • drug and alcohol treatment services
  • sexual and reproductive health services
  • maternal and child health services
  • allied health services including care provided by psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors.

Effective primary care benefits patients, their carers, families and the broader health system, and leads to lower costs, improved health outcomes and reduced pressure on hospital emergency departments.