A new report by The McKell Institute Queensland has revealed the state’s health system has remained resilient and continues to perform at or above national averages across several critical metrics, despite unprecedented population growth and rising healthcare demands.
The report, titled A Healthy Queensland: A snapshot of the Queensland health sector, highlights the strength of the state’s healthcare services despite significant workforce shortages, increasing patient numbers and an ageing population.
The Queensland Government’s record investment in the sector has ensured residents across the state are receiving quality care.
But record population growth in recent years, as well as higher costs, an increase in service usage and an ageing population is placing a strain on the system.
Queensland currently manages more than 230 health facilities including public hospitals, community health centres and specialist services. This network supports 12,538 doctors, 52,455 nurses and 15,251 allied health professionals. The state has also seen a significant growth in its infrastructure with more than 13,800 hospital beds and alternatives available across the state.
In the 2024-25 State Budget, the government allocated a record $28.9 billion to healthcare, a 60 per cent increase since 2014-15. This investment has helped Queensland meet growing healthcare demands while maintaining quality across key areas.
While Queensland boasts a strong public health system, access to affordable primary care remains a concern. A record 7.6 per cent of Queenslanders have delayed or avoided visiting their GP due to rising out-of-pocket costs, a rate higher than the national average of 7 per cent.
There are 118 GPs per 100,000 residents - a 10 per cent increase since 2014 - showing there is clear capacity but the affordability is making it difficult for Queenslanders to seek timely care.
Ambulance services are also facing challenges, with the number of calls received by Triple 0 in requiring an ambulance increasing by 65 per cent since 2014-15. Meeting this demand has pushed ambulance wait times to 12.5 minutes, up from 8.3 minutes in 2014-15. However, when comparing this to other states and territories, median wait time in Queensland is comparable to Victoria and better than NSW.
Key recommendations to enhance the quality of the health system include increasing bulk-billed GP services to help improve access and ensure more people see a doctor without out-of-pocket costs.
The report also recommends the government prioritise the recruitment and retention of health workers to ensure the growing demands of the population are met, and long-term funding sustainability.
“Queensland’s health system has expanded its capacity over the past decade, showing remarkable resilience as population pressures grow,” Executive Director of McKell Institute Queensland Sarah Mawhinney said.
“To maintain these standards, we need continued investment in our workforce and affordable access to care.
“With the election approaching we have seen very little policy debate - voters deserve clear debate on how each party plans to address the growing challenges in healthcare.
“While the system is not in crisis, both sides must focus on fact-based policy to tackle the pressing healthcare issues that matter most to Queenslanders.”
About the McKell Institute:
The McKell Institute is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation dedicated to developing practical policy ideas and contributing to public debate.
Contact details:
Sarah Mawhinney 0413 738 841
Lauren Ferri 0422 581 506
