Public Economics Forum - Affordable Specialist Care
Date
From: Tuesday March 17, 2026, 12:00 pm
To: Tuesday March 17, 2026, 2:00 pm
This Public Economics Forum, hosted by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, will showcase the latest Policy Issue of The Australian Economic Review on the topic of affordable specialist care, fee setting, and health equity. This forum is dedicated to non-GP medical specialists and the discussion aims to inform federal health reforms to ensure all Australians can access affordable, high-quality specialist care.
Non-GP specialists are key decision makers in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of complex conditions. As pressure on the health system grows due to population ageing, rising demand for more complex care and technological change, there is a pressing need to examine the economic and policy dimensions of specialised care. Understanding and addressing these issues is essential for designing a more equitable, efficient, and responsive health system.
Join us for lunch and contribute to this vital discourse on affordable specialist care.
Program
| Time | Forum at the National Portrait Gallery |
|---|---|
| 11.30am | Registration opens |
| 12.00pm | Welcome |
| 12.05pm | Welcome from our Moderator - Natasha Robinson, Health Editor, The Australian |
| 12.15pm | Rethinking healthcare co-payments to improve efficiency and equity, the Australian Catholic University - Professor Kees van Gool, The University of Sydney |
| 12.30pm | Australia’s specialist fee failure: three principles for a way forward - Professor Yuting Zhang, Melbourne |
| 12.45pm | Price transparency in specialist markets - Dr Susan Méndez, Melbourne Institute |
| 1.00pm | InstituteSpecialist affordability and access for people with disability - Mr James Taylor, Monash University |
| 1.15pm | Panel discussion and audience Q&A |
| 2.00pm | Event concludes |
This event will include a seated lunch.
Registration:
$90 per person
$395 group of five peope
If you require an invoice please contact melbinstitute-tickets@unimelb.edu.au
Registrations close 5pm, Monday 9 March.
Cancellations after this date will not be refunded but can be transferred.
For further details and to register please visit the event website here.
Website
https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/events-folder/conferences/2026/public-economics-forum-affordable-specialist-careVenue
National Portrait Gallery
King Edward Terrace , Parkes ACT 3145

