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The latest Health Insights Report provides a national view of how Australians are accessing and engaging with healthcare. Drawing on transaction data from approximately 7 million Australians, Medicare activity and industry research. It explores evolving demand, changing patient pathways and healthcare utilisation across general practice, pharmacy, allied health and dental services.
These insights can help healthcare businesses:
Australians are spending more on healthcare, revealing new trends and behaviour which are shaping the sector.
Consumer spending increased across every health sector analysed, outpacing annual health inflation of 3.8%.
482.5 million Medicare services were delivered nationally, with benefits paid increasing 8.1% year-on-year.
Pharmacy spending rose 10.9% year on year, with almost 94% of Australians spending in the sector.
Private GP spending rose 5.1%, while bulk billing rates increased to more than 80% nationally.
Allied health spending increased 9.9%, reflecting more frequent engagement with healthcare services.
Technology, automation and AI are reshaping healthcare delivery, helping providers improve workflows, patient experiences and service accessibility.
Healthcare demand is evolving as Australians access care in new ways, influencing how services are delivered across the healthcare ecosystem.
Demand is evolving across the health system Healthcare spending increased year on year, with pharmacy (+10.9%), allied health (+9.9%) and dental (+8.0%) among the most utilised services.
Care journeys are becoming more connected Australians are accessing a broader mix of healthcare services, reflecting increasingly connected models of healthcare.
Patients are playing a more active role in their care Australians visited pharmacies an average of 17.5 times during the year.
Community healthcare is expanding its roleMore than 2.7 million influenza vaccinations were administered through pharmacies between March and August 2026.
Healthcare utilisation continues to grow Medicare benefits paid increased 8.1% year-on-year to $35 billion, while service volumes increased 1.5%.
Explore the trends shaping healthcare demand, patient behaviour and service utilisation across Australia.
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About CommBank Health Insights Report 2026
About the data
This report has been developed using de-identified transaction data from approximately 7 million Australians through CommBank iQ, complemented by Medicare data and industry research to provide a national view of healthcare demand, utilisation and consumer spending. The analysis is based on healthcare spending activity between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026, compared with the corresponding period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025. The healthcare sectors analysed include health insurance, pharmacies, general practitioners, dental services, allied health providers, radiologists, optometrists and veterinarians.
Important information
The report has been published for general information purposes only. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances, if necessary, seek professional advice. The Bank believes that the information in the report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of its compilation, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in the report. Any projections and forecasts are based on a number of assumptions and estimates and are subject to contingencies and uncertainties. Different assumptions and estimates could result in materially different results. All analysis and views of future market conditions are solely those of the Commonwealth Bank.
