The ACT Government is establishing new health services and expanding capacity to keep pace with our growing city, ensuring Canberrans can access world‑class care when and where they need it.
The 2026-27 ACT Budget will fund a package of initiatives to boost vital public health services that support our health workforce.
These investments reflect the Government's commitment to improving access to health care, strengthening services, and driving better health outcomes across the Territory.
We will invest $23.4 million to operate the new Acute Palliative Care Unit at Canberra Hospital, with construction expected to be complete in December 2026.
An ACT Labor election commitment, the new unit will provide a dedicated space that is culturally safe and trauma-informed to support patients and their families when they need it most. This investment will initially fund eight beds, with the capacity to expand to 12 beds over time.
An investment of $3.9 million will provide better access to specialised life-saving screening, treatment and support services at North Canberra Hospital for people at higher risk of breast cancer. This vital work will deliver on another ACT Labor election commitment.
These public health service initiatives are supported by a range of other investments including:
- An injection of $8.2 million to expand the Canberra Hospital Paediatric Fracture Clinic and establish a dedicated paediatric orthopaedic service, improving care closer to home for children with bone and soft tissue conditions.
- Investing $12.1 million to increase lung cancer specialist services, including the rapid access lung cancer clinic, supporting delivery of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and enabling earlier detection.
- Supporting, growing and retaining ACT's health workforce through $14.1 million to continue Junior Medical Officer wellbeing and workforce initiatives, supporting pastoral care, wellbeing and career development – and promoting Canberra Health Services as an employer of choice.
The Government will also invest $169.5 million to continue its response to growing demand for, and the rising cost of, public hospital services.
This investment, combined with the other initiatives in this package, will provide an additional $231.2 million for our public hospital and community-based health services and workforce over the next four years, to ensure Canberrans receive timely, high-quality care from well-supported staff.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Chris Steel:
"This budget responds to the needs in our health system by investing in better health services for Canberrans.
"Expanding critical and specialist services means the health system can meet the needs of our growing community.
"We're also investing in the wellbeing of our health workforce so that they can continue to provide the best care possible."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
"Through this Budget we are improving access to health care and supporting better experiences for patients and staff.
"We are delivering more services, expanding specialist care and investing in early detection, which will lead to better health outcomes.
"At the same time, we're continuing to support our workforce through targeted wellbeing initiatives and career development, building on what we know is working to ensure Canberra Health Services remains a great place to work."
