Statement on the 2026-27 Federal Budget

The 2026-27 Federal Budget delivers substantial investment across Australia’s health, aged care, disability and social care systems. Commitments including $25 billion in additional public hospital funding through the National Health Reform Agreement, an $11.4 billion Medicare package to strengthen bulk billing, $1.8 billion for Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, lower PBS co-payments and major aged care reforms have the potential to improve outcomes for millions of Australians.

For multicultural communities, the central question is how these investments translate into improved access, better experiences of care and stronger health outcomes. The opportunity presented by this Budget is not only to strengthen services, but to ensure those services reach communities that have historically experienced poorer access and outcomes.