What the federal budget means for public health

The recent federal budget for 2024-25 brings significant investments in public health research and healthcare services, impacting various areas of the sector.

The budget includes a total investment of $8.5 billion into health, focusing on several key initiatives. There is sizable funding for medical research, with $1.89 billion directed towards the Medical Research Future Fund, which will prioritise areas such as cancer, health inequities, and women’s health.

Women’s health received specific attention with $49.1 million allocated for increased Medicare rebates for complex gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. This will allow for longer GP consultations. There is also $56.5 million is set aside for new Medicare services to support midwives to provide extended pre- and postnatal care consultations to improve patient care and experience during pregnancy.

In the broader healthcare landscape, the budget commits $469.1 million to reduce patient costs for medications and improve access to essential drugs, alongside significant investments to expand mental health services and support early intervention programs. This includes a new national service to help people access mental health support before their issues escalate. Moreover, the budget provides $227 million to increase the number of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics from 58 to 87, aiming to alleviate the pressure on hospital emergency departments.

The government’s third budget also made commitments to bolster the public health prevention agenda. Key measures include investment in The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, which is part of the Sax Institute. We were delighted to see the Prevention Centre in the Federal Budget factsheet on ‘A fit and healthy Australia’ with funding for research to “help deliver solid evidence base for policy makers in preventative health”. This continues the long-standing relationship with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care alongside other funding partners.

These investments reflect a comprehensive approach to improving public health research and healthcare delivery, with an emphasis on addressing critical health challenges and improving access to quality care across Australia.