Investing in a healthier future

Record investment in our health system delivers world-class care

Guaranteeing Medicare

Medicare will be updated to include new services, including for diagnosis of cancer, genetic testing and to support pregnant women’s health.

From 1 January this year, the Government made Telehealth a permanent part of Medicare. This will support more Australians to easily access high-quality care.

Ensuring access to affordable medicines

The Government is ensuring Australians have affordable access to medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From 1 July 2022, the Government is again reducing the PBS Safety Net thresholds. As a result, patients will reach the safety net with around 12 fewer scripts for concessional patients and two fewer scripts for general patients in a calendar year. Around 2.4 million Australians will benefit from reducing the concessional and general PBS Safety Net thresholds.

Funding of $2.4 billion over four years for new and amended listings will also reduce out‑of‑pocket costs. This includes treatments for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and bowel cancer. Since 2013, the Government has approved more than 2,800 new or amended PBS listings.

Modernising the mental health system

Landmark reforms to ensure we act early to safeguard the wellbeing of all Australians

The Government is transforming the mental health sector to achieve a more compassionate and caring system with a greater focus on prevention and early intervention supports. Through establishing community-based, multidisciplinary treatment centres and investing in digital mental health services, the Government is addressing service gaps and improving mental health care for all Australians.

Supporting quality aged care

Ensuring loved ones are treated with respect, care and dignity

All Australians can be confident they will be able to access high-quality aged care when they need it.

Record funding for aged care

The Government is delivering record funding for aged care. In 2022‑23, spending on aged care is expected to be $29.8 billion, up from $13.3 billion in 2012‑13.

Improving the quality and safety of aged care

Building on the $18.3 billion committed in 2021‑22, the Government is continuing to implement comprehensive aged care reforms and additional services in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Government is committing a further $468.3 million in support for the aged care sector and the 1.3 million senior Australians using these services.

The Government's record investment in aged care is funding

The next stage of reform is underway

Investing in schools and students

A world-class education sector is essential to unlocking our economic potential

Record funding for schools

The Government is investing record funding in Australian schools to ensure that all students are equipped with the necessary skills as part of our plan for a stronger future.

The Government's recurrent annual funding for schools has increased from $13.7 billion in 2014 to $25.3 billion in 2022.

In this Budget, the Government is providing an additional $225.8 million to improve educational outcomes of school students, particularly for those who are disadvantaged.

Preschools

Children who engage in quality play-based early childhood education are generally better prepared to start primary school and enjoy better educational outcomes.

All preschool age children will be supported to access at least 15 hours a week of quality learning, as part of the Government's $2 billion Preschool Reform Agreement.

Higher education

The Government is committed to a world-class higher education system and is investing $19.7 billion in the university sector in 2022, up from $15.3 billion in 2014.

The Government's Job‑ready Graduates package delivered 30,000 new university places in 2021. During COVID, we delivered 55,000 new short course places in 2021 and 2022, and provided additional support for students in regional and remote Australia.

The Government is also supporting higher education with a $2.2 billion investment that will supercharge the generation and translation of Australian research into new commercial products.

Improving the lives of people with a disability

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is supporting those with a disability to fulfil their potential

We all benefit from an inclusive Australian society where people with a disability can fulfil their potential, as equal members of the community.

The Government is realising this vision by guaranteeing funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as part of our plan for a stronger future.

The NDIS will provide $33.9 billion to over 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability in 2022‑23, growing to $44.6 billion in four years. The scheme provides funding directly to individuals based on their goals and the support they need.

Award-winning dancer Michelle Ryan has Neuro Myelitis Optica, a rare neurological disease affecting her mobility. With support from the NDIS, including a power assist wheelchair, she is full-time artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre. 'The NDIS has changed my ability to continue to work in a way that I wanted to, and to keep my independence.'

Photo: Maxx Corkindale

The green and gold decade

Planning for a green and gold decade to showcase Australia on a global stage

Australians will enjoy a pipeline of major international sporting events that will deliver economic opportunities for Australian businesses and benefits to the community by creating jobs and inspiring participation. This decade will culminate in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will showcase Australia on the biggest stage of all. Until then, Australians across the country can support our sporting stars at over 15 major events.

This includes the Opals at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, the Matildas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and our men's cricket stars at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Keeping Australians moving

COVID-19 has made it harder for Australians to keep active and healthy. The Government is committed to helping all Australians participate in community sport and active recreation and is investing $79.6 million over three years to the Sporting Schools program. Since it launched in 2015, 12 million students have participated in this program across 8,300 Australian schools.

Confirmed Major Sporting Events 2022-32

Protecting our environment

Safeguarding our remarkable landscapes and species for future generations

Reef 2050 Plan

The Government is investing an additional $1 billion in world-leading marine science to build the Great Barrier Reef's resilience to climate change, remove pest species and improve the reef's water quality. This brings total Government investment in the reef to $3 billion since 2014.

This investment will also protect jobs at the heart of the reef economy and support Traditional Owner and community-led projects.

Conserving Australia's ecosystems

We are investing over $170 million for threatened species and habitat restoration, and tree planting projects, including $53 million dedicated to koala recovery and conservation. A further $26.8 million for our national parks will improve conservation and management. It will also support Indigenous engagement and employment, enhancing preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

Enhancing our scientific capability in the Antarctic

The Government is investing $839.9 million to enable exploration of East Antarctica’s inland and to support research and environmental management. This investment will ensure that the Antarctic remains a place of science and conservation, free from conflict and exploitation.

Improving environmental regulation

The Government is ensuring that Australia's environmental laws are fit for purpose. A $192 million investment in reforms will protect the environment, speed-up environmental law decisions, and improve transparency in project approvals.

ReMade in Australia

Building on the Government's $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund and the National Waste Policy Action Plan, the Government is spending $83.1 million on Australia's waste and recycling capabilities to help reach our 2030 waste targets.

This includes $60.4 million to develop new plastics recycling technology and advanced recycling solutions. A further $18.2 million will go towards improving awareness of correct recycling techniques and develop a new 'ReMade in Australia' scheme to certify goods that are recycled and remade here in Australia.