Sector Size
The scale of Australia's allied health sector by workforce, expenditure, and economic footprint.
959,838
Total AHPRA-Registered Health Practitioners
Across 16 regulated professions. Up from 920,535 in 2023-24
300,000+
Allied Health Professionals in Australia
More than a quarter of the total health workforce
$270.5B
Total Health Expenditure (2023-24)
10.1% of GDP. Up $2.8B from the prior year in nominal terms
200M+
Allied Health Services Delivered Per Year
Includes physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech pathology, and more
14.5%
of Australian Workforce in Health Care & Social Assistance
Australia's largest employing industry, with 1.7 million workers
$89.1B
Primary Health Care Expenditure (2023-24)
33% of total health spending. Includes GP, dental, allied health, pharmacy, and community health
Growth Trends
How the allied health workforce and demand are expanding, and which professions are growing fastest.
67%
Allied Health Workforce Growth (2013-2022)
Highest of any health workforce category. Medical practitioners grew 41%, dental 29%, nursing/midwifery 26% over the same period
4.3%
Annual AHPRA Registration Growth (2024-25)
From 920,535 to 959,838 registered practitioners in one year
7.2%
Occupational Therapy Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2016-2021)
Fastest-growing allied health profession. 57% total growth from 2016-2021, 171% since 2013
5.6%
Physiotherapy Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2016-2021)
Second-fastest growing major allied health profession after occupational therapy
25,000
Additional Allied Health Workers Needed by 2033
To meet recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety alone
Funding
How allied health services are funded across Medicare, the NDIS, private health insurance, and out-of-pocket payments.
$45.9B
NDIS Total Supports Paid (Year to June 2025)
Supporting 717,000+ participants. Total scheme expenses $46.3B on accrual basis
~12%
NDIS Spending on Capacity Building Daily Activities (Therapy)
Roughly $5.5B. Includes allied health therapy supports such as physiotherapy, OT, psychology, and speech pathology
$6.8B
Private Health Insurance General Treatment Benefits Paid (2024-25)
Total ancillary/extras benefits. $493.75 per insured person per year. Covers dental, physio, chiro, optical, psychology, and other extras
54.9%
Australians with Private Health Insurance Extras Cover
Over 15.2 million people covered by some form of private health insurance
5
Medicare-Subsidised Allied Health Sessions per Year (CDM)
Under a GP Chronic Disease Management plan. Covers physio, OT, psychology, dietetics, podiatry, and more
<60%
NDIS Therapy Budget Utilisation Rate
Participants in most states spend less than 60% of therapy budgets due to inability to access allied health providers
Workforce Challenges
Rural shortages, burnout, retention pressures, and vacancy data facing the allied health workforce.
36%
Rural Allied Health Workforce vs Metro Areas
Small rural towns (MM5) have only 36% of allied health professionals per 1,000 people compared to metropolitan areas
32.9%
Cite Mental Burnout as Top Reason for Leaving
Survey of 25,752 practitioners across 9 professions. Other top reasons: retirement (30.5%), feeling undervalued (28.5%)
12.1%
Practitioners Intending to Leave or Unsure About Staying
5.3% intending to leave, 6.8% unsure. Of those leaving, 72.8% planned to do so within one year
29%
Assessed Occupations in National Shortage
293 of 1,022 occupations. Physiotherapy, OT, radiography, and speech pathology all classified as national shortages
44%
Fill Rate for Health Professional Vacancies
Only 1.3 suitable applicants per vacancy for health professional roles
85%
of OTs Reconsidering Their Future in the NDIS
74% of exercise physiologists and 60% of music therapists also reconsidering. Driven by price caps, cost pressures, and administrative burden
Sources
Verified directly from source| Awaiting verification