The Latest Breaking News from Department of Health and Aged Care

Breast cancer screening is ripe for change. We need to assess a woman’s risk – not just her age

Australia’s BreastScreen program offers women regular mammograms (breast X-rays) based on their age. And this screening for breast cancer saves lives.

The Conversation · Mar 24, 2025

Australia has an ongoing GP shortage. Why can’t we just train more GPs?

Australia is critically short of GPs – and the shortfall is growing, predicted to be 8,600 GPs by 2048.

The Conversation · Dec 18, 2024

More than half of people who use party drugs take ADHD medicines without a prescription, new research shows

Each year, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSW Sydney surveys hundreds of people who regularly use drugs in Australia to understand trends in substance use around the country.

The Conversation · Sep 19, 2024

Public service contractor stole more than $40k from major department

The former government contractor was sentenced to a suspended sentence order.

The Canberra Times · Oct 31, 2022

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly downplayed long COVID while justifying end of isolation requirements, medical specialist says

Academic Pippa Yeoman is among a number of Australians, including a leading medical specialist, accusing the chief medical officer of downplaying the threat posed by long COVID while justifying the end of national isolation requirements.

ABC News · Oct 11, 2022

Refurbished Rockhampton aged care facility has 22 empty beds due to staff shortage

Though it has up to 80 people waiting to move in, the newly refurbished Queensland centre has an entire floor of empty beds. Industry lobby groups say it's a widespread issue and solutions are needed fast.

ABC News · Aug 27, 2022