Our Purpose

Better Access Australia contributes to the public policy debate in Australia through research, publications, public discussion and advocacy. We recognise that Australia’s health, disability and social services systems (the social sector) work best when all parties, public, private and not-for-profit, engage in good faith with the existing systems and processes, and that each party’s contribution is recognised and valued. We partner with consumers, peak bodies, industry, and academia to identify and promote better outcomes in Australia’s social sector.

We believe that the foundations of Australia’s social sector are solid and deliver reasonable quality services to most Australians. However, there are significant challenges and opportunities in the short term and over the longer term horizon, and Australia’s governments, industry and not-for-profit sectors need quality advice and strong advocacy if they are to be responsive and agile in addressing the policy implementation reforms necessary to keep pace or surpass international best practice by 2030. 

A decade can be both a short and long time depending on your focus. At Better Access Australia, we believe that it is important to start now with a dual focus on improving access within the current systems while also framing the systems of the future. We believe that through our strong and persuasive advocacy we can support the delivery of a better social sector in Australia both now and in the future.

High quality, evidence-based policy has never been more important. Existing challenges in the social sector have been brought to the fore. Systemic issues such as the divide between Commonwealth and state/territory funding and management responsibilities, integration between mainstream health and other care sectors and potential trade-offs between health outcomes and the economy are all critical and current debates.

These challenges, however, present us with opportunities to test and confirm our deeply held goals as a society, explore innovative solutions, consider best practice and learn from lessons from around the globe to build a better social sector.