The Commonwealth should increase its funding of public hospitals to a 50-50 share with the states and territories, Catholic Health Australia said today as health ministers meet in Brisbane.
Analysis of AIHW data by Catholic Health Australia finds public hospitals are under severe pressure, leading to sliding performance in recent years.
Only 67% of patients were seen on time in 2025, down from 71% in 2021. Only 53% of ED visits were completed within four hours in 2025, down from 67% in 2021.
In some states, patients wait more than a year after the clinically recommended deadline for their surgery.
"It is crystal clear that public hospitals need significant extra funding. Public hospitals are in crisis and the Commonwealth has the fiscal firepower to turn this around," said Dr Katharine Bassett, Director of Health Policy at Catholic Health Australia.
"However, extra federal funding should not be unconditional. States should be required to prove they are not short-changing their hospitals and using funding for purposes other than health.
"The Commonwealth should also adopt a pay for performance model to incentivise states to clear their surging waitlists."
