The Albanese Government is helping to deliver healthcare to Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness with a $31 million investment over two years in the Homelessness Access Program.
Administered by Primary Health Networks (PHN) around Australia, this program is helping to connect people with the care they need, when and where they need it.
Minister for Health, Ageing, Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler MP, made the announcement while visiting Adelaide homeless support service, Hutt St Centre, today.
Hutt St Centre clients access GP and nurse services as part of the Homelessness Access Program. Adelaide Primary Health Network administers the services, delivered by medical staff from Adelaide City General Practice, bringing preventative and needs based healthcare directly to Hutt St Centre.
Primary Health Networks right around the country commission and tailor other health services specific to the needs of their regions.
At least 122,000 Australians are estimated to be experiencing homelessness.
People who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness face significantly poorer health outcomes, with much higher rates of chronic illness, disability and premature death.
The Homelessness Access Program helps people in these circumstances reduce barriers to care, which often include:
- costs that put essential treatment and medicines out of reach
- a lack of reliable transport
- no identification or Medicare card
- difficulty keeping appointments or continuing treatment, and
- stigma and discrimination.
The Albanese Government's $31 million investment in the Homelessness Access program builds on previous investments of $45.7 million since 2023, reinforcing the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Albanese Government is committed to delivering a better and fairer Australia for everyone, and this funding supports some of our most vulnerable people to access much-needed health care and social supports.
"It is clear this program is working for some of Australia's most vulnerable people, by delivering accessible and affordable medical care and treating people who might otherwise have gone to a hospital emergency department.
"I am pleased to make this announcement from Adelaide's Hutt St Centre, where this funding is reducing barriers to accessing health care for people experiencing homelessness."
Quotes attributable to Hutt St Centre CEO Chris Burns:
"We welcome today's funding announcement and the recognition that healthcare for people experiencing homelessness is essential for our whole community.
Since launching in October last year, our team has delivered more than 2,350 healthcare interactions. Many of those presentations would otherwise have ended up in hospital emergency departments.
This is not only compassionate care - it is smart healthcare policy that improves outcomes for vulnerable people while reducing pressure on the broader health system.
Quotes attributable to Australian Alliance to End Homelessness CEO David Pearson:
"We are thrilled to see this investment in the Homelessness Access Program. This is quite literally lifesaving care that is having a big impact.
"We know that experiencing rough sleeping homelessness can reduce life expectancy by approximately 30 years and that as many as one in three deaths were attributable to conditions that could have been prevented or treated.
"The Homelessness Access Program is not only helping make lifesaving healthcare available to people experiencing homelessness, it is changing the way we plan and integrate supports for healthcare, housing and homelessness across Australia."
