Australians struggling with their mental health and seeking support will soon be able to access appointments online without a referral.
Tuesday’s budget includes $588 million to establish low-intensity mental health services that are free to patients.
The program will be implemented online from the beginning of 2026 and will reach 150,000 people annually with the aim of increasing suicide prevention services.
The rollout of urgent care clinics will also continue, with $227 million to add 29 centers to the 87 currently in place.
Clinics are used by patients to treat minor illnesses and injuries, and are often held after hours so that patients do not have to go to the emergency room.
Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the government will provide $825 million to test and vaccinate against the disease, including funding for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This includes access to antiviral medicines based on the virus.
The government is also working to address the labor shortage in the medical field, and plans to provide $116.2 million over the next five years.
The funding includes $90 million to make it easier for overseas health workers to come and work in Australia.
Meanwhile, $17.4 million will be spent on expanding an incentive fund for general practitioners to improve access to primary care in areas with a limited number of clinics.
Aged care will also be boosted by $2.2 billion over the next five years to implement reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into the sector.
The measure also includes more than $500 million to provide more than 24,000 home care packages in the next fiscal year.
The government also plans to spend $3.4 billion to list new drugs on PBS.
It would also begin increasing Medicare rebates, setting aside $49.1 million to help women see gynecologists for treatments such as endometriosis.
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