The organization and funding of the treatment of end-stage renal disease in Australia.

Treatment rates for end-stage renal disease have risen over the last 25 years in Australia, from 3,181 patients in 1981 to 14,221 patients (707 per million) in 2004. Access to dialysis services is largely through the national public insurance system, with more than 85% of services provided by public hospitals for outpatient (68%) or home-based (32%) care. Annual payment rates per patient are around AU$53,500 for hemodialysis (78% of patients). Total recurrent health expenditure on all chronic kidney disease was AU$647 million, or 1.3% of the total recurrent health expenditure that could be allocated by disease.