Australian Government is delivering a record $115.5 billion in 2020–21 and $467 billion over the forward estimates to deliver the essential health services Australians need under the Long Term National Health Plan.
The 2020–21 Budget funds the Government’s ongoing health response under the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan, extending initial key COVID-19 health initiatives. It helps chart the road out, including through unprecedented mental health support, and implementation of our COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy.
Our Government has committed more than $16 billion to the emergency health response to the pandemic. Aged care is a particular focus. Since the pandemic began, we have invested more than $1.6 billion to protect senior Australians and workers in aged care, and support providers.
At the same time, this year’s Budget strengthens the four pillars of our Long Term National Health Plan. It guarantees Medicare, delivers a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) New Medicines Funding Guarantee, invests in mental health and backs medical research.
Since January we have funded initiatives across all pillars of the health and aged care system. This includes Medicare, health and aged care workforce capacity, improvements to health infrastructure and systems, hospitals, primary care, mental health, medical research, and the important COVID-19 Vaccination and Treatment Strategy. It also includes the implementation of the COVID-19 Health Plan and the COVID-19 Aged Care Response Plan.
