With the introduction of private health insurance rebate in 2000-01, the percentage of population taken the private insurance cover dramatically increased by 11 % (from 24% to 35%) in NT as against a national average increase of 12% (from 31% to 43%). The percentage of population covered by private insurance in NT is 9% lower than the national average and this must be because of the reasons ( 1) indigenous population in NT
is around 26% and most of them might not have private insurance and (2) limited accessibility to private health services in NT. It is too early to measure the impact of an increasing number of private health insurance cover taken by the population in NT since June 2000. It could be measured after another 2-3 years time.