In Brief

• The 2025–26 ACT Budget has been handed down.
• This article provides an overview of the key initiatives supported through this year’s Budget.

The 2025–26 ACT Budget is investing in the services and infrastructure our growing city needs.

This year’s Budget makes a record investment in the ACT’s public health system. This will ensure Canberrans have access to the health care they need, when they need it.

The Budget will enable the delivery of more homes for Canberra. Practical initiatives will boost supply, increase affordability and deliver diverse housing options to suit all stages of life.

There is continued cost of living support for those who need it most, as well as new and upgraded suburban infrastructure.

This year’s ACT Budget also invests in a new pool and convention centre for Canberra, and the revitalisation of Telstra Tower.

Health

The 2025–26 ACT Budget will deliver more affordable GP services for families.

A new pilot program to support general practices that commit to bulk billing children will reduce out-of-pocket costs for families.

Junior doctors will start training rotations in general practices, allowing them to begin practising in primary care in the community sooner in their training.

There will be more professional development and wellbeing support for the general practice workforce, ensuring they can keep delivering the best care possible.

The Budget includes support to enable the ACT Government’s commitment of 70,000 elective surgeries over four years.

The ACT Government will also continue to invest in health infrastructure across Canberra, including:

• planning and detailed design work for the new northside hospital in Bruce
• planning and design work for a new pathology and clinical services building at Canberra Hospital
• a new public medical imaging outpatient service at Belconnen Community Health Centre.

Housing

The ACT Government is committed to enabling 30,000 homes by 2030.

The Budget supports a range of practical initiatives to deliver more homes for Canberrans – now and in the future.

Key Budget initiatives include:

• an increase of the stamp duty concession threshold to $1.02 million for eligible buyers
• 85 new public housing dwellings delivered through community housing providers under the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF)
• additional funding for the Affordable Housing Project Fund
• 300 affordable Build-to-Rent homes
• 17 new social housing townhouses acquired in Coombs under the Social Housing Accelerator
• ongoing investment in the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program to maintain and expand Canberra’s public housing portfolio.

Cost of living

The ACT Government will deliver new and continuing cost of living measures through the 2025–26 ACT Budget. The measures focus support where it’s needed most.

These include:

• a permanent increase to the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate of $50 per year. The increase will provide eligible low-income households with a total rebate of $800 on their electricity bills
• support with energy costs through the Energy Bill Relief Fund. All eligible ACT households and small businesses will receive a rebate of up to $150 directly applied to their bill
• a one-off payment of $250 for ACT apprentices and trainees who live and work in Canberra. Apprentices and trainees who are in their first year will receive an additional $250
• the expansion of two key educational programs: the Future of Education Equity Fund and Free School Camps at Birrigai
• a reduction in registration fees for light trailers and caravans. Fees will be reduced by up to $150 for 12 months between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

The 2025–26 ACT Budget also includes investment in:

• a new pool and convention centre for Canberra
• tourism, events, and the revitalisation of Telstra Tower
• a better, safer public transport system
• initiatives to address domestic, family and sexual violence
• mental health services for young people
• ACT Policing’s workforce and infrastructure, as well as targeted justice initiatives
• upgrades at CIT
• sport and recreation facilities.

For all your ACT Budget news in one place, visit the Our CBR website.

To read the 2025-26 ACT Budget papers visit the Budget website.

What's in it for your region?

The Budget invests in new and improved suburban infrastructure across Canberra – from playgrounds to paths, shops and sporting facilities.

Click on the map below to find out what's been funded in the 2025–26 ACT Budget for your region.

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