The ACT Government is delivering a new hospital on Canberra's northside to provide modern facilities, improve patient access and support Canberra's growing health needs.
The new seven-storey clinical services building represents the first stage of redevelopment of the North Canberra Hospital campus and will include more than 300 treatment spaces.
It will provide easy access to the emergency department for patients and ambulances, deliver integrated spaces for medical services, teaching and training and feature modern spaces that welcome patients and their families.
With critical planning and early design work now completed, the 2026-27 ACT Budget funds the construction of this vital infrastructure that will support Canberrans for decades to come.
The new hospital is a key election commitment that the ACT Labor Government is proud to be delivering for our community.
Key features of the new hospital include:
- a state-of-the-art emergency department with a dedicated paediatric short stay unit and better support for mental health presentations
- a modern 14-bed intensive care unit
- a co-designed Birth Centre, six birthing suites, maternity inpatient unit and special care nursery
- eight operating theatres with future proofing for two more to be brought online when required
- two endoscopy suites with space for a third
- more than 200 new inpatients beds, and
- expanded outpatient spaces to support pre‑admission clinics, specialised outpatient clinics and allied health clinics.
The project will also include upgrades to the Haydon Drive intersections to access North Canberra Hospital, more than 700 additional carparking spaces and a new 100-place childcare centre, which will replace and expand the existing facility.
The redevelopment will pave the way for replacement of the ageing North Canberra Hospital, which was built in 1979. North Canberra Hospital will continue to operate while construction is underway.
Extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including clinicians, consumer advocates and community organisations, has provided early and active involvement in shaping the design and planning to date.
Further detailed design work is still to be undertaken, with engagement continuing as the design evolves.
The Budget delivers a carefully staged investment of $1.34 billion over the next seven years, prioritising critical health infrastructure while maintaining a responsible approach to the Territory's finances, bringing the Government's total commitment to the new northside hospital to almost $1.5 billion over a decade.
Early works are already underway, with main construction expected to start in 2027‑28.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:
"This project will transform healthcare on Canberra's northside, improving access to care and delivering better outcomes for patients and their families.
"It reflects our priority to invest in the infrastructure our health system needs to keep pace with a growing city, ensuring services are accessible, modern and built for the future. Importantly, this development will also deliver practical benefits for the community, including significantly expanded parking and easier access to care when it's needed most.
"We made a clear commitment to deliver a new northside hospital, and this Budget ensures we are getting on with building it for the benefit of all Canberrans."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
"No matter where they live, Canberrans expect to be able to access quality clinical care from a supported workforce that has access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
"By delivering modern hospital infrastructure, we're enabling our doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to deliver safe, quality care in an environment that supports their wellbeing and that of their patients, carers and families.
"We have listened and engaged with stakeholders to design a hospital that supports the community's needs, and we will continue that engagement throughout the detailed design and construction stages."
Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Chris Steel:
"This infrastructure project is a priority for our Government, and a once-in-a-generation investment in the Territory's healthcare system.
"The new Northside Hospital is critical to provide additional capacity across our hospital network to meet the growing demands that we will see on acute services over next decade and beyond."
