National Health and Hospitals Network — a comprehensive reform package

The Government has announced a comprehensive package totalling $7.3 billion over five years* to reform Australia's health and hospital system:

Hospitals — funded nationally, run locally

For the first time, the Australian Government will become the majority funder of the Australian public hospital system and will shoulder a greater burden of growth in health and hospital costs. The running of hospitals will be devolved to Local Hospital Networks.
The Government is investing an additional $3.5 billion to improve access to emergency departments and elective surgery, to provide at least 1,300 new sub-acute beds, and to fast-track the introduction of activity-based funding.

Better access to GP and primary health care services

For the first time, the Australian Government is taking full funding and policy responsibility for GP and primary health care and it will provide additional funding of $1.2 billion to improve access to services, including after-hours services.

Training more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals

The Government is investing $1.2 billion to support Australia's health workforce, including more doctors, scholarships for allied health students, rural locum schemes for nurses and allied health professionals and providing financial support for nurses in general practices.

Supporting aged care

For the first time, the Australian Government is taking full funding and policy responsibility for aged care and it will invest $533 million to help take pressure off our hospitals and ensure the needs of Australia's growing number of elderly people are met.

Investing in prevention

To reduce the prevalence of smoking, the Government has increased tobacco excise.
The Government is providing $2.6 million to support the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products and continuing to fund a National Tobacco Campaign.

Helping those with mental illness

For the first time, the Australian Government is taking funding and policy responsibility for primary mental health care and it will invest $123 million to help people with a mental illness.

* Funding reflects national roll‑out of the National Health and Hospitals Network.