Key Facts:
Community Health First 2026-27 Victorian Budget Asks:
1. Reduce waiting list for affordable care by investing $7.5 million to provide over 60,000 hours of additional community-based care.
2. Increase community health infrastructure funding from 0.3% to 1.5% of the total health infrastructure spend to expand and improve facilities to reach more Victorians. Note Infrastructure Victoria report released August 2025: Investing in Community Health Infrastructure
3. Support 10,000 Victorians who need chronic disease support by investing $10 million in the Care Pathways for Chronic Disease program and simultaneously avoiding up to $13 in future healthcare costs for every $1 invested.
4. Improve health equity in regional Victoria through a $10 million investment in the Connecting Community to Care program and reduce ambulance calls outs by up to 25%
5. Invest in a Virtual Connected Care Pilot to give Victorians statewide more access to critical nursing, allied health and chronic disease support through a $2.5 million virtual community health pilot.
Community Health First (CHF), representing Victoria's 22 independent registered community health services, has today released its 2026–27 Victorian Budget Submission, calling for a strategic investment of $75 million per year to unlock better health outcomes, reduce hospital demand and improve health equity across the state.
"With strategic investment, community health can unlock up to $700 million in avoided healthcare costs, ensure tens of thousands more Victorians get the care they need when and where they need it, and deliver greater equity across our communities. This is smart, targeted investment with real impact," said Anna Robinson, Chair, Community Health First.
Community health is already the most cost-effective part of the Victorian health system. The sector already reaches 1 in 10 Victorians, despite receiving less than 0.5% of Victoria's $27 billion health budget and is ready to scale to meet the growing health and wellbeing needs of our communities.
"Over the past two years, record investments by the Victorian Government have strengthened acute health services and launched critical health reforms. With these foundations in place, now is the time to amplify that impact by investing in community health – the services that keep Victorians well, prevent hospitalisations, and ensure timely, affordable support close to home," said Robinson.
Community Health First's 2026–27 Victorian Budget Submission outlines five targeted initiatives that align with the Victorian Government's Health Services Plan and promise high returns on investment, including up to $700 million in avoided future healthcare costs.
Community Health First's submission responds directly to the challenges outlined in the Department of Health Expert Advisory Committee's Health Services Plan report, which identified fragmentation and inefficiency in the current system. By investing in community health, the Victorian government can deliver more connected, preventative, and person-centred care – especially for vulnerable and regional communities.
"Community health is ready to scale. With the right support, we can reduce hospital demand, improve health outcomes, and build a more resilient health system for the future," said Robinson.
"This is a defining moment for the future of health care in our state. With smart investment, we can deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place – for every Victorian."
