Consumers Health Forum of Australia

16/04/2026

This morning CHF released the results of its latest survey, looking at Australian's healthcare experiences within dental and oral care. After surveying more than 900 consumers, the results highlighted the financial strain associated with dental care that affects 80% of people.

CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) alongside health consumer Ally to give their insights into access and affordability. CHF is calling on the Australian Government to provide targeted oral health access schemes for older people, First Nations people and those on low incomes, alongside increased public dental capacity as the first steps towards universal dental healthcare.

Listen to the ABC story here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/worldtoday/push-for-budget-dental-money/106571728

14/04/2026

As part of our commitment to preventative health, you're invited to join us for the final CHF Talks webinar for 2025-26. Here we will discuss how the social and commercial determinants of health influence care.

Bringing together consumers, experts, and advocates to explore this theme, we invite you to join us in the discussion.

Part 4 of CHF Talks will take place on Tuesday 19th May from 11:30am AEDT. Register below.
https://www.chf.org.au/events/chf-talks-webinar-4-how-do-the-social-and-commercial-determinants-of-health-influ

09/04/2026

Our recent National Consumer Sentiment Survey revealed that 1 in 2 Australians had at least one unmet healthcare need in 2025. Unmet needs remained a concern in 2025 with access continuing to be a factor in healthcare. We surveyed over 5000 Australians to learn about their healthcare experience, you can read the results here: https://www.chf.org.au/our-work/national-consumer-sentiment-survey

09/04/2026

Recent ABC coverage on the impact of rising fuel costs on health consumers shows how a long‑standing access problem is being pushed to breaking point.

Consumers have told us for years that transport costs put healthcare out of reach, particularly for regional and low‑income Australians, and CHF continues to advocate for patient travel schemes that better reflect travel costs. In the short term, we urge state governments to consider additional payments to help consumers meet the immediate cost pressures they are facing.

If governments are serious about access and equity, they must address the real cost of getting to care, not just what happens once people arrive.

Paige Edgar never imagined the hardest part of her one-year-old son's brain cancer diagnosis would be getting him to treatment five hours from her home.

08/04/2026

Health consumer, Saad, shares his experiences within the healthcare system revealing what he believes can be done to improve it. These relate closely to the data within the 2025 NCSS Report, echoing key themes of inclusion and safety. We surveyed over 5000 other consumers like Saad to see how they are experiencing healthcare, read the results here: https://www.chf.org.au/our-work/national-consumer-sentiment-survey

07/04/2026

We launched the 2025 NCSS Report at Parliament House on Wednesday. Thanks to ABC Australia for the opportunity to talk about the report, which captures the healthcare experiences of over 5,000 Australians.

Have a listen to our CEO, alongside health consumer Ella, who shared her lived experience and perspective.

Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/one-in-two-australians-delay-healthcare-report/106514434

01/04/2026

This morning at Parliament House, we launched the latest National Consumer Sentiment Survey, drawing on the views of 5,000 people across the country from 2025.

Joined by the Hon Rebecca White MP, CHF members, consumers and staff came together to discuss the issues shaping Australians’ access to, affordability of, and agency within their healthcare.

The data from the survey reinforced why consumer perspectives are so critical in informing policy and decision‑making. We heard from consumers about their thoughts on the 2025 NCSS Report and their experiences with the healthcare system through the NCSS Consumer Video.

We'd like to thank all that joined us and helped make the launch happen. See the NCSS Consumer Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02jxvoAxGnM

31/03/2026

CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, waiting patiently out the front of Parliament House before the launch of the 2025 National Consumer Sentiment Survey.

We look forward to sharing the findings within the 2025 NCSS data and welcome the Hon Rebecca White MP to help present.

31/03/2026

Tomorrow, we release the findings from the 2025 NCSS Report.

If you're interested to hear the data presented, tune into the launch event that will be livestreamed through our Facebook.

We can't wait to reveal the insights this data has revealed and hope you can be a part of the celebration.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/national-consumer-sentiment-survey-2025-report-launch-livestream

31/03/2026

50 per cent of Australians avoid health care they need due to cost, according to Consumers Health Forum report.

One in two Australians missed out on health care they needed last year mainly because they could not afford it, according to a new report by the peak healthcare consumers group.

31/03/2026

As reported in the Guardian over the weekend, AI is already being used in some Australian clinics to help doctors write notes, As Consumers Health Forum of Australia CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny says, “Technology can support better care, but only when consumers understand how it’s being used and trust that their information is safe. AI in healthcare needs clear rules, transparency and a strong focus on patients, not just efficiency.”

This is a conversation worth having early and openly, with consumers at the centre. It’s good to see it being discussed publicly, and we’ll continue to advocate for strong safeguards and to reduce the unwarranted variation in its consenting processes as digital health evolves.

Read the Guardian article:

Some doctors argue it allows them to better connect with patients, but advocates warn the AI technology risks the opposite

30/03/2026

On Thursday, we gathered on Turrbal and Yuggera country with the Consumer Assembly group where the dedicated consumers were able to meet in person. The meeting looked into the ways consumers can impact decision makers in creating a health system that favours the people navigating the system.

Creating a plan to make this happen, the consumers will work together with CHF in the upcoming months to drive change and inspire one another. We had a wonderful time working with the Consumer Assembly, allowing them to meet in person and online, and look forward to meeting again soon.

Pictured is the Consumer Assembly and CHF staff in front of the Consumer Recognition Statement - a piece of work developed together with the Assembly that recognises consumers. Read it here: https://www.chf.org.au/about-us/consumer-recognition-statement