Comprehensive health and hospital reform
The new investments in this Budget are part of $7.3 billion* over five years to support the National Health and Hospitals Network (NHHN), including more doctors and nurses, shorter waiting times and more hospital beds.
Better hospitals
An immediate injection of $3.5 billion over five years will flow through to public hospitals.
This will deliver a four hour target for emergency department waiting times, a 95 per cent target for Australians receiving elective surgery on time, and fund at least 1,300 new sub‑acute beds.
Along with the key service coordination role of Local Hospital Networks, these investments will make hospitals more responsive to local needs.
* The $7.3 billion investment reflects the national roll‑out of the NHHN.
Better primary health care
The Government will provide $1.2 billion over four years to improve access to GP services, tackle chronic disease and keep Australians healthy and out of hospital.
Better integration of care for diabetes will be delivered with $449 million of this funding.
Mental health
Mental health will be supported by $104 million to expand programs for young people, $13 million for more mental health nurses to provide services in the community and $59 million to support clinical care for people with severe mental illness.
Aged care
The Government will invest $533 million over five years to improve access in the community to high quality aged care: vital preparation for an ageing population.
A workforce for our future needs
A well‑resourced health system will need a well‑trained workforce.
The Government is investing $1.2 billion over four years in training more health professionals and improving the skills of those already at work.
$7.3 billion: an immediate investment in Australia's health