Health management is Australia’s largest and fastest-growing industry, driven by rising expenditure, an ageing population, and rapid digital transformation across the health system. Over the past decade, the sector has seen a substantial increase in job opportunities, providing health management professionals with a clear and growing career path. This outlook examines the data behind that growth and what it means for the future of health services management in Australia.
How much does Australia spend on health management?
Australian healthcare expenditure continues to rise year on year, with the Australian Government spending approximately $137.6 billion on health, aged care, and support in the 2023–24 period. In 2020–21, Australia spent an estimated $220.9 billion on health goods and services, averaging around $8,617 per person. This sustained investment reflects the national commitment to population health and underpins the demand for skilled health management professionals across public and private systems.
How is Australia’s ageing population changing health management?
Australia’s ageing population is reshaping demand for health services, with the proportion of Australians aged 65 and over predicted to double and reach 23% of the population by 2060–61, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. This demographic shift is expected to drive sustained growth in health expenditure per person, which is projected to rise from $3,250 in 2018–19 to $3,970 in 2031–32, and to $8,700 by 2060–61 (adjusted for inflation).
Meeting this demand will require the health management workforce to:
- Embrace technological advancements that support efficient, large-scale care delivery
- Invest in workforce training to prepare staff for more complex patient needs
- Strengthen preventive care and community-based services to manage costs and improve outcomes
Health organisations that invest in these areas now will be better positioned to deliver high-quality care as the number of older Australians continues to grow.
What job opportunities exist in health services management?
Health services management offers substantial and growing job opportunities, with the health and social assistance sector accounting for 15.6% of the Australian workforce and employing more than 2.2 million people, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. Approximately 30% of this workforce holds hospital-related positions, reflecting the central role hospitals play in the health employment market.
Beyond clinical and hospital roles, the sector includes a wide range of administrative, managerial, and support positions that keep healthcare facilities running. Demand is also rising in specific areas:
- Health informatics, telemedicine, and digital health management, as technology becomes more central to care delivery
- Allied health, social work, and community health roles, as preventive and community-based care expands
This breadth of roles means graduates with health management qualifications can pursue career paths across hospitals, community health, digital health, and healthcare administration.
How has technology changed healthcare delivery in Australia?
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care and digital health services across Australia, a shift that continues to shape health management today. Government funding for telehealth, combined with the rollout of the COVIDSafe app, supported more than 10 million telehealth consultations within two months during the pandemic. This rapid uptake shifted both provider and patient attitudes toward digital healthcare solutions.
That shift has brought lasting changes to the sector:
- Telehealth has improved access to care for patients in remote and underserved areas
- E-commerce has made healthcare products, medications, and services more accessible online
- Digital transformation initiatives such as My Health Record require ongoing attention to cybersecurity and data privacy
Health managers will need to navigate these dynamics carefully, balancing the benefits of digital access with the responsibility of protecting sensitive patient information.
What are the healthcare challenges in rural and remote Australia?
Rural and remote communities, home to approximately 7 million people or 28% of the Australian population, face distinct health management challenges linked to geography and service access. These communities experience poorer health outcomes than urban populations, including higher rates of hospitalisation, injury, and mortality, alongside limited access to primary healthcare services.
The Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure, based on the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia, classifies the population as follows:
- Major cities: 72%
- Inner regional areas: 18%
- Outer regional areas: 8.0%
- Remote areas: 1.1%
- Very remote areas: 0.8%
Initiatives such as telehealth and mobile healthcare units have helped bridge some of these gaps, but closing the outcome disparity further will require continued investment in rural health infrastructure, workforce recruitment and retention, and targeted prevention programs. Health management professionals working in or alongside rural health services play a direct role in shaping how effectively these initiatives reach the communities that need them most.
How can you build a career in health management?
A qualification in health management equips you to step into leadership roles across hospitals, community health services, and healthcare organisations navigating this changing landscape. You will build the skills to manage budgets, lead teams, interpret policy, and respond to the operational pressures created by rising demand, workforce shortages, and digital transformation, preparing you to lead with confidence in a sector that shows no signs of slowing down.
QUT’s health management programs are designed to meet this growing demand for skilled leaders. Options include the Master of Health Management and Leadership, the Graduate Diploma in Health Management and Leadership, and the Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management and Leadership, each giving you a pathway suited to your current experience and career goals.
Frequently asked questions
What does a career in health management involve?
A career in health management involves leading teams, managing budgets and resources, and overseeing the operational and strategic functions of healthcare organisations, including hospitals, community health services, and aged care providers.
Is health management a growing industry in Australia?
Yes. Health management is Australia’s largest employment sector, with sustained growth driven by rising healthcare expenditure, an ageing population, and increasing demand for digital health and community-based services.
What qualifications do you need to work in health management?
Entry pathways vary, but postgraduate qualifications such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master’s degree in health management and leadership build the specialised knowledge and skills needed for management and leadership roles in the sector.
Ready to pursue a career in health management?
QUT’s health management programs prepare you for leadership roles across Australia’s largest and fastest-growing industry, equipping you with the skills to navigate workforce demand, technological change, and evolving patient needs. Explore your course options or connect with a Course Consultant to discuss which pathway suits your career goals.