Every Australian citizen has a right to medicare and we are a very fortunate nation to have such a universal healthcare care policy.

Medicare is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents in Australia, and people from countries with reciprocal agreements. Medicare covers all of the cost of public hospital services. It also covers some or all of the costs of other health services. These can include services provided by GPs and medical specialists. They can also include physiotherapy, community nurses and basic dental services for children. The other important part of Medicare is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The PBS makes some prescription medicines cheaper.

At the Australian Family Network, we intend to bridge the gap between medicare subsidies and the total cost of services offered by a medical practitioner on a case-by-case basis. We also intend to support International students and new arrivals to our country whom Medicare does not cover.

People that are unable to afford the additional cost due to their limited financial abilities, we intend to provide them with some financial aid to help them keep receiving the care they require.

At Australian Family Network, we will also rally support from medical practitioners that are willing to donate their time and skillsets to help ease medical sufferings of individuals who unfortunately find themselves in financial hardship and often go without receiving medical aid.

Many Australians have been impacted by fear, anxiety and panic since the COVID-19 pandemic. The bushfire disasters over summer still remain raw and fresh in most of our minds, especially those who were directly impacted by the fires.

Unemployed workforce, single parents, children are all at increased risk of worse mental health during times of economic instability created due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the summer bushfires.

Each year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness. Many people are not knowledgeable or confident to offer assistance. Physical first aid is accepted and widespread in our community, however most do not cover mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people the skills to help someone who they're concerned about.

At Australian Family Network, we intend to offer stay at home mums, single parents, teenagers free Mental Health First Aid programmes and pay for certifications that will enable them to assist a vulnerable family member and help navigate through the challenging times we face since COVID-19 pandemic and the bushfires.

Rumours, myths and misinformation, sensationalised and alarmist media coverage create mistrust and add further to anxiety and mental stress people are already under. By providing access to free and trustworthy information and references about the pandemic in various languages at Australian Family Network we intend to provide comfort through education.