The Victorian Budget invests a record $13 billion in our public health system so all Victorians can get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. The Budget focuses on Victorian families and that includes their health and wellbeing.
This Budget includes the largest ongoing operational investment in our healthcare system, ever – giving health services certainty about their funding future.
This $8.8 billion investment will kickstart a change in the way our hospitals are funded, so they can more effectively and efficiently deliver world-class care – and plan for the future.
To deliver world-class healthcare, we need world-class facilities. This Budget delivers $1.7 billion to build and upgrade hospitals and health facilities across our state, including three of our busiest hospitals – Austin Hospital, Northern Hospital and Monash Medical Centre.
More than $118 million is being invested at the Alfred Hospital to deliver a program of works to help maintain the operating theatres, intensive care and inpatient units, so our healthcare workers can continue their life-saving work.
There is also operational and establishment funding for hospitals to continue delivering high-quality care for our growing communities, including Northern Health, Latrobe Regional Hospital and Footscray Hospital, with a total investment of nearly $755 million.
The Budget supports the ambulance service to deliver timely care closer to home, with a $146.3 million investment to provide the level of care people need, when they need it.
Victoria remains a national leader when it comes to transforming the delivery of women’s health with an $18.3 million boost to help us continue unlocking the gender gaps in our health system.
The budget strengthens Public Sector Residential Aged Care – the largest in Australia – with $31.2 million to provide high-quality care and maintain nurse to resident ratios.
And a $38 million investment for palliative care services in aged care facilities, hospitals and patients’ homes will help Victorians at the end of their life get the care and comfort they deserve.
An investment of nearly $2 million will support the vital work of our Public Fertility Care egg and sperm bank – an Australian-first in a public health system, helping more Victorians realise their dream of starting a family.
Being a mum can be both rewarding and challenging, and for those mums who need extra support, the Budget invests $5.7 million into the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies initiative.
Victoria’s population is growing fast and to make sure every family has the best possible start with their new baby, the Budget invests $28.8 million into statewide Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services – giving children and their families from birth to school age the support they need to grow, learn and thrive as they navigate the early years of life.
The Budget continues investing towards a future that is cancer-free – with $7.5 million to help improve cancer outcomes through the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, including better responding to the complex cancer care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse people.
Patients at the new Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre will also benefit from a $12 million investment from the Victorian Government and the Alfred Foundation to deliver the latest scanning technology and double the centre’s initial capacity.
The Victorian Government is continuing to act on the priorities in the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Agreement and action plan, with an investment of $10.8 million to begin implementation of a self-determined cultural safety accreditation scheme in public hospitals, encompassing the development of culturally safe standards to enable better health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians in public health services. This investment will also deliver an expanded self-determined Culture and Kindship program and continue vital IT systems for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
The budget provides $4 million for the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service to provide better access to specialist paediatric medical and allied health services for Aboriginal children.
In Victoria, equality is not negotiable – and the budget provides funding to continue nation-leading support for LGBTIQA+ communities, with $2.1 million to make sure trans and gender diverse Victorians have the healthcare they deserve.
The Budget provides $4.4 million to help refugees and asylum seekers coming to Victoria feel safe and supported in their new home and can access the care they need.
There is $1 million to continue the peer-led sexual health program for sex workers to ensure they have access to high-quality health services.
This Budget supports the ongoing transformation of our mental health system - with work underway on more than 90 per cent of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and an investment of more than $6 billion already delivering better mental healthcare across the state.
The Budget invests $15.8 million to continue expanding the workforce with a graduate program helping to establish a pipeline of future skilled workers for Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.
An investment of $31 million will make sure people with an eating disorder get the care they need – whether it’s at home, in the community or as a hospital inpatient. This includes the establishment of a day program in regional Victoria.
It also supports the continuation of suicide prevention programs that support groups disproportionately impacted by suicide, with $3.8 million to continue LGBTIQA+ aftercare support and Youth Live4Life programs, as well as Strong Brother Strong Sister and Yarning SafeNStrong for Aboriginal Victorians, and the Peer CARE Companion Warmline.
For Victorians struggling with chronic addiction, we want them to have the best chance at recovery, no matter where they live. The $95 million Statewide Action Plan will save lives, reduce drug harm and give more people the care they need – in the CBD and across Victoria.
We’re also delivering a health-led approach to reduce drug harm, including boosting access to pharmacotherapy and naloxone, trialling a ‘Never Use Alone’ helpline, expanding outreach services and appointing a Chief Addiction Adviser.
Made possible through $36.4 million in this year’s Budget, we will partner with cohealth to establish the new Community Health Hub at 244 Flinders Street.
You can find details of all Budget announcements on the State Government Budget or read the Victorian Government media
Reviewed 09 May 2024