The ACT Government welcomes the agreement that has been reached at National Cabinet today on the health and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms.
We are pleased the Commonwealth has acknowledged the pressure in meeting our future hospital and public health demands, particularly for a smaller jurisdiction like the ACT where it costs more to run a health system.
The Commonwealth's investment is welcome, and the outcomes reached today are a way forward. We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government and all states and territories over the longer term to ease pressure in all aspects of our health system.
As part of the agreement today, the ACT is forecasted to receive from the Commonwealth $4.1 billion over five years to 2030-31. This includes an additional $557 million in public hospital funding and a significant uplift of $150 million over the next two years to address the challenges smaller jurisdictions face delivering health services, while more permanent arrangements are concluded.
We have advocated strongly for two years to have this acknowledged and welcome the agreement will now more equitably fund hospitals in the ACT.
National Cabinet has also agreed to an extension of time to implement the Thriving Kids program with the rollout to now commence on 1 October 2026, and full implementation by 1 January 2028.
As part of reforms to continue to secure the future of the NDIS and make the scheme more sustainable long term, states and territories will increase the escalation rate of their contribution to the NDIS in line with actual Scheme growth capped at 8 per cent from 1 July 2028, with a review point in 2030-31.
$2 billion will be matched to deliver Thriving Kids as the first phase of Foundational Supports, with the Commonwealth providing $1.4 billion of its contribution to support states.
The ACT, along with all jurisdictions, is committed to improving the health outcomes for all Australians and putting the NDIS on a sustainable pathway.
