The 2025-26 ACT Budget delivers a record $1.19 billion investment in Canberra's public health system - the largest single health investment in the Territory's history.
This investment will support key initiatives to meet rising demand, expand services and strengthen primary care - ensuring Canberrans receive high-quality care when and where they need it.
"We are making the biggest single investment in our public health system in the ACT's history because the health of Canberrans is a priority for the Government," Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
"This record funding will strengthen our hospitals and ensure people receive quality care when and where they need it most.
"It will help our hospitals meet growing demand and provide better support for thousands of Canberrans living with chronic illness."
This record investment will support:
- Delivery of 70,000 elective surgeries over four years, helping thousands of Canberrans access timely treatment.
- Expanded support for chronic disease management, improving long-term health outcomes.
- A stronger primary care system, with $7.3 million over four years to support general practice through bulk billing incentives, wellbeing and professional development for GPs, and more junior doctor placements in ACT general practices.
- A more inclusive health workforce, with $2.36 million over four years (ongoing and indexed) to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and address systemic barriers to participation.
- Payroll tax changes from 1 July 2025 that will exempt income from bulk billed GP services - supporting affordability and reducing administrative burden on practices.
- Responding to growing demand in outpatient services, emergency department presentations and admitted patient care and the rising cost of public health service delivery.
- Delivery of expanded endoscopy services to address the ongoing high demand reduce the public endoscopy waitlist.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this Budget was about delivering accessible and affordable care for Canberrans, whether that's in our hospitals, at their local GP, or through culturally safe services led by First Nations health professionals.
"We made a clear commitment to invest in the health of our community, and we are delivering," the Chief Minister said.
"This Budget reflects our commitment to a stronger, fairer and more accessible health system. One that supports our workforce, strengthens primary care and delivers better outcomes for all Canberrans
"The initiatives we are rolling out also complement Federal Labor's commitments to expanding bulk billing and build on the ACT Government's broader work to expand community-based, person-centred healthcare and reduce pressure on the hospital system."
The ACT Government continues to invest in modern, accessible health infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our community, including:
- Continuing to progress early works for the new Northside hospital;
- Delivering extra carparking at Canberra Hospital
- Funding the construction of a new Inner South health centre;
- Funding to deliver a new public medical imaging service at the Belconnen Community Health Centre;
- Progressing early works for a new health Centre in North Gungahlin.
Minister Stephen-Smith said this Budget delivers on key commitments that Canberrans voted for last year, delivering new health facilities and infrastructure across Canberra.
"From new public outpatient medical imaging in Belconnen to a new Health Centre in the Inner South this Budget is delivering on the health infrastructure that will ensure Canberrans can access the care they need closer to home," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
The ACT Government's record health investment is part of a broader Budget focused on building more homes, supporting strong economic growth, and delivering better services for all Canberrans.
