The 2025-26 ACT Budget is investing in a variety of initiatives that will improve access to high-quality public health care.

They will also address the growing demand for, and rising cost of public hospital services.

This investment includes support to:

• address the growing demand in outpatient services, emergency department presentations and admitted patient care
• enable the delivery of the ACT Government’s commitment of 70,000 elective surgeries over four years
• deliver ongoing chronic disease services and expanded endoscopy services
• meet the needs of long-stay patients and optimise patient flow through public hospitals.

Investing in health infrastructure and services

The 2025–26 Budget also funds:

• early and enabling works for the design and construction of the new northside hospital
• continued work on the Canberra Hospital Master Plan. This includes progressing planning and design for the new Pathology and Clinical Services Building and a feasibility plan for a mental health precinct at the Canberra Hospital campus
• construction of the Inner South Health Centre
• new imaging and x-ray services at the Belconnen Community Health Centre
• improved palliative and end-of-life care services in the community to support people’s end-of-life choices
• continuation of community-led youth mental health programs to provide mental health care that is accessible, timely and effective
• more support for perinatal mental health services for birth parents and families through the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre and Perinatal Mental Health Alliance
• continued operations at the Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Centre.

Improving affordability and access for patients

The Budget supports more affordable local access to primary health care.

It will support GPs and the community through bulk billing incentives.

From 1 July 2025, payroll tax changes for medical practices will exempt income from bulk billed GP services. This will reduce:

• out-of-pocket costs for patients
• administrative burden on practices.

A grants program will also be piloted over two years. It will support general practices that commit to bulk billing all children under 16.

This will make a trip to the doctor more affordable for families.

The investment complements the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Medicare.

Professional development and wellbeing support for staff

Budget investment will boost professional development and wellbeing support for general practice staff.

This includes investment in the Drs4Drs mental health support program.

The ACT Government will also expand Junior Medical Officer (JMO) placements into general practice settings.

This will promote early consideration of a GP career pathway.

More support for the ACT’s First Nations health workforce

The Budget will include support to:

• grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce in the ACT
• address systemic barriers to participation.

This includes investment in:

• new workforce governance structures
• culturally safe supervision
• support for local implementation of the National First Nations Workforce Plan.

There will be new dedicated roles, better training and supervision, and action on systemic racism in the health system.

This will help build a stronger First Nations workforce to deliver culturally safe care in the ACT.

A stronger primary care system

Primary care is the foundation of a strong health system.

This support for the GP workforce will help them continue providing high-quality, accessible care.

Expanding community-based, person-centred health care will:

• help Canberrans get the care they need
• reduce pressure on the hospital system.

The investments are part of a coordinated approach to grow and support the health workforce. They are key actions in the ACT Health Workforce Strategy: Action Plan 2024–2026.

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