Investing in better health now
From this year, the Government will invest $7.3 billion in hospitals, GP and primary health care, mental health care, aged care and the health workforce.
These investments focus on the health services thatAustralians rely on most to keep them healthy, and to help them get better if they happen to fall ill.
Immediate investments
The Government is investing $7.3 billion over five years as part of the National Health and Hospitals Network to help deliver immediate health and hospital service improvements. This includes:
- $3.5 billion to improve hospital performance through reduced waiting times in emergency departments and improved access to elective surgery;
- $1.2 billion to train more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals;
- $1.2 billion to improve GP and primary health care services;
- $533 million to better support older Australians by investing in aged care;
- $237 million to improve how the system works through a national standards and performance framework; and
- $123 million to improve funding for mental health programs, including headspace.
This funding is in addition to the Australian Government's guaranteed top‑up payment to the States of $15.6 billion from 2014‑15 to 2019‑20.
Immediate additional Australian Government investment in
Australia's health
