Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, previously the Department of Health and Aged Care, is the Australian Government department responsible for funding and regulation of health care, aged care and some disability programs. It also is involved in preventative health promotion programs. The department manages schemes such as Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and agencies such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and National Blood Authority.

The department is responsible to parliament through the Minister for Health and Ageing, a cabinet minister, and is supported by two other ministers and two assistant ministers. The department secretary, Blair Comley, is responsible for the day-to-day accountability of the organisation. The Chief Medical Officer is Professor Tony Lawler and the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer is Allison McMillan, who both oversee clinical operations.