Health policy priorities FY26

As a trusted voice in health policy and reform, we work across government, industry and the broader health sector to advocate for opportunities where reform can deliver the greatest impact to consumers and the broader health system. Our focus is on areas where reform can have the greatest impact to improve value, choice and control for Australians while supporting a more sustainable health system.   

We advocate for our policy priorities through stakeholder engagement, roundtables, forums and public consultation channels.  

Our priorities are centred on three critical domains:   

1. Private healthcare and private health insurance (PHI): 

We advocate for policy settings that improve affordability, choice and value for customers through reform and innovation. We are shaping a comprehensive reform agenda to deliver better value for consumers and improve the sustainability of the health system. Our priorities include improving out-of-pocket cost transparency, expanding access to personalised models of care, reducing waste and modernising PHI risk equalisation settings. We are working with partners across the sector to co-design and advance reforms that support a more sustainable and equitable private health system for all Australians.    

2. Primary care and prevention funding reform:  

Strengthening Australia's primary care system and embedding prevention at its core are key policy priorities in line with the Australian Government’s Strengthening Primary Care reform agenda. Our focus is to enable multidisciplinary teams to operate at scale, supporting proactive and team-based care for people with chronic and complex conditions, and creating more coordinated and seamless care pathways across the health system. We are advancing this agenda through evidence generation, policy development and stakeholder engagement. In June 2025, the Medibank Better Health Research Hub convened more than 70 stakeholders from peak medical and allied health bodies, private health insurers and industry to explore the future of primary care. A second symposium, focused on prevention in primary care, will be held in October.  

3. Ageing well:   

We want to support older Australians to remain safe, healthy and independent for longer. With aged care reform underway, we believe that expanding virtual and home-based care presents a significant opportunity to improve access, consumer experience and health system sustainability. Where clinically appropriate, Australians should have the option to receive care in the comfort and familiarity of their home, including within residential aged care homes. Models such as hospital-in-the-home, transition care, remote monitoring and telehealth can reduce pressure on hospitals, support continuity of care, and help people remain independent for longer. Our focus is on advancing the policy and funding settings needed to scale these models safely, equitably and sustainably, while ensuring safety, quality and consumer choice remain at the centre of implementation.