Victoria's leading network of women's health organisations has welcomed the Allan Government's investment in the cost-of-living relief for families in this week's budget release.
The 2025/26 Victorian State Budget, with its focus on improving healthcare and easing financial pressure on families, contains some important wins for women and for women's health.
The Women's Health Services Network (WHSN) is pleased to see the Victorian Government's ongoing commitment to a Gender Equality Budget statement and the Gender Responsive Budgeting Unit. Although there are fewer gender-specific initiatives to previous budgets, we acknowledge that cost-of-living relief will have positive impacts for many women, which include initiatives related to travel, energy savings initiatives, increased food bank support, childcare and education.
The WHSN Chair, Dr Adele Murdolo, stated, "The reduction of cost-of-living pressures, which we know disproportionately impact women, is a welcome focus of the 2025/26 state budget.
"Because economic security is a social determinant of health, we are cautiously optimistic that measures within the budget to offer economic relief to families and strengthen women's economic inclusion will contribute to increased access to health and wellbeing."
In the area of health, the expansion of the community pharmacy scheme that enables improved access to prescriptions for oral contraceptives and immediate treatment for conditions such as urinary tract infections, is a welcome initiative, as are the initiatives to increase hospital, urgent care and community-based healthcare access.
The WHSN is delighted with the Allan Government's announcement to fund 1800 My Options, Women's Health Victoria's abortion and contraception information and referral service, supporting more women and gender diverse people to access the support they need.
Recognising Victoria's leading work in preventing gendered violence, the WHSN welcomes the ongoing commitment of $39.1m over four years to Respectful Relationships in Victorian schools and was very pleased to see an additional four-year funding commitment for prevention and early intervention work in multicultural and multifaith communities.
This budget has been handed down in a challenging fiscal environment. We know that effective prevention of chronic disease, health promotion, improved access to timely and appropriate health services and initiatives that stop violence against women before it starts requires sustained, long-term investment hasn't been realised in this budget. However, we look forward to a more robust investment in prevention in future budgets with a focus on women's health and wellbeing.
"As the only infrastructure in Victoria dedicated to women's health and wellbeing, we see every day the real difference that investment in primary prevention and health promotion makes. The work of Victoria's Women's Health Services delivers healthier communities, reduces pressure on our hospitals and crisis services, and supports lasting change in people's lives. A stronger, sustained investment in gendered health promotion is not just the smart thing to do — it's the essential thing to do if we want a safer, healthier Victoria."
Dr Murdolo said "It is crucial to acknowledge we still have a long way to go in achieving optimal health, wellbeing and safety for all Victorians. The WHSN maintain their collaboration to develop strategies and a business case that will demonstrate the return on equity to Government for their investment in women's health promotion and prevention of violence initiatives, ensuring future Victorian budgets continue with a commitment to gender responsive initiatives with a focus on equitable health care and prevention of violence."
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About Women's Health Services Network
The Women's Health Services Network has been a driving force progressing and shaping Victoria's women's health and equality space for four decades. While our services were established and funded independently of one another, collaboration has been a strong part of our history. Today, the 12 women's health services funded through the state government's Victorian Women's Health Program collaborate under the title the 'Victorian Women's Health Services Network'. This enables us to work as a coordinated, mutually-reinforcing statewide network comprising both place-based and specialist services.
Website: www.whsn.org.au
WHSN Members: Women's Health Victoria | Multicultural Centre for Women's Health | Women with Disabilities Victoria | GenWest | Women's Health in the North | Women's Health East | Women's Health in the South East | Women's Health Loddon Mallee | Women's Health Grampians | Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West | Women's Health Goulburn North East | Gippsland Women's Health
