Queensland Health

A $4.393 billion uplift to Queensland Health's operating funding envelope over 4 years to address demand and cost pressures, taking the health operating budget to a record $26.710 billion in 2024-25. The uplift funds priority areas including workforce, ambulance, First Nations health, women's health, vaccinations and cancer care.

The health operating budget rises 10.6 per cent to a record $26.710 billion, well above the historical average, funding more doctors, nurses and services to keep up with a fast-growing population. The uplift covers workforce, ambulance, cancer care, free vaccinations and First Nations health.

General Government operating, over 4 years from 2024-25. Sub-initiatives (Workforce, Ambulance, First Nations First, vaccinations, etc.) are funded from within this envelope.

Investment in the health workforce to support and retain existing staff and attract new talent, including a new electronic rostering system. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

More doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health staff across Queensland, with the broader Health Workforce Strategy to 2032 backed by $1.7 billion to deliver over 700 extra doctors, 2,600 nurses and midwives and 1,000 allied health staff. New rostering technology aims to improve how frontline staff are scheduled.

General Government operating, $222.4M over 4 years from within the $4.393B Growth Funding Uplift. A further $215.9M met internally by Queensland Health; total $438.3M over 4 years. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Additional operating funding for the Queensland Ambulance Service to respond to growing demand for pre-hospital care, supporting an additional 268 full-time equivalent personnel. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

An extra 268 paramedics and ambulance staff help the service keep pace with demand from priority emergency patients, which has risen over 22 per cent in 6 years. A separate $30 million capital investment replaces ageing ambulances and adds new vehicles.

General Government operating, $265.9M over 4 years from within the $4.393B Growth Funding Uplift. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Capital investment to replace ageing ambulances and deliver additional new vehicles for the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Newer, better-equipped ambulances replace ageing vehicles, helping paramedics respond faster and more reliably to emergencies across the state.

Capital, $30M in 2024-25

Funding to accelerate efforts to address inequity in health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations Queenslanders and put the government back on track to close the gap by 2031. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

Targeted investment in First Nations health aims to close the gap in life expectancy and health outcomes by 2031, supporting culturally appropriate models of care including the Torres and Cape Health Care Commissioning Fund (TORCH).

General Government operating, $209.9M new funding over 4 years plus $114.8M from internal resources; total $324.7M over 4 years. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Free Meningococcal B and RSV vaccines for eligible infants, children and adolescents, alongside continuation of free influenza vaccination for all Queenslanders. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

Free Meningococcal B and RSV vaccines protect babies, children and adolescents, while free flu vaccines continue for all Queenslanders. This is described as the largest state government-funded vaccination program in Queensland's history.

General Government operating, $95.9M over 4 years from within the Growth Funding Uplift plus $40M internally funded for free influenza vaccines; total $135.9M over 4 years.

Investment to improve women's experience of the healthcare system and address gender-based health inequity, covering mental health, chronic conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic pain, maternity care, and sexual and reproductive health, including funding to enhance the workforce for termination of pregnancy.

Delivers 34 new initiatives to address health inequities for women and girls, including better care for endometriosis and pelvic pain, maternity care with minimum midwife ratios, and $21 million to enhance the workforce for termination of pregnancy following decriminalisation.

General Government operating, total $247.9M over 5 years commencing 2023-24 across multiple agencies, of which $157.3M is from the Health Growth Funding Uplift. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Further support for Queensland's aeromedical providers to deliver specialist retrieval doctors and emergency helicopter services from bases including Torres Strait, Bundaberg, Mount Isa, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay and Brisbane. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

Helicopter rescue and aeromedical retrieval services continue across regional and remote Queensland, ensuring people in places like the Torres Strait, Mount Isa and Central Queensland can reach hospital care by air when road travel is not an option.

General Government operating, $142.2M over 4 years from within the $4.393B Growth Funding Uplift. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Operational funding for the Voluntary Assisted Dying program, including support for the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Scheme Support and Pharmacy Service. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

Supports the operation of Queensland's Voluntary Assisted Dying scheme, including the statewide support and pharmacy service that helps eligible patients access the scheme.

General Government operating, $18M over 4 years from within the $4.393B Growth Funding Uplift. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Redevelopment of the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service facility, expanding inpatient beds and adding an operating theatre.

The Cooktown health facility is being redeveloped with more inpatient beds and a new operating theatre, improving access to care for the Cook Shire and surrounding Cape York communities.

Capital, $118M across forward estimates ($8M 2024-25, $30M 2025-26, $40M 2026-27, $40M 2027-28). BP1 references a total $200M facility redevelopment.

Capital investment to expand hospital capacity, delivering around 2,200 additional overnight beds at facilities across the state including new hospitals at Bundaberg, Coomera and Toowoomba and expansions at Cairns, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Mackay, Princess Alexandra, QEII, Redcliffe, Robina, Prince Charles and Townsville hospitals.

Three new hospitals at Bundaberg, Coomera and Toowoomba, plus expansions at more than a dozen existing hospitals, will add around 2,200 overnight beds to keep pace with a growing and ageing population. Within hospitals, $1 billion is allocated to improve patient flow and reduce wait times.

Capital, total Capacity Expansion Program now $11 billion over 6 years (glance cites $11.215 billion). BP4 lists a $1 billion 2027-28 capital measure component; the full program profile is held in the Capital Statement (BP3).

Capital investment to deliver a new mental health unit at Rockhampton Hospital.

A new mental health unit at Rockhampton Hospital expands inpatient mental health care for Central Queensland, reducing the need for patients to travel for treatment.

Capital, $50M in 2024-25 and $29.1M in 2025-26

A statewide trial enabling community pharmacists to work to their full scope of practice to increase access to primary healthcare. Funded from within the $4.393 billion Growth Funding Uplift.

Community pharmacists can provide a wider range of care, making it easier and faster for people to get treatment for common conditions without needing to see a GP, especially where workforce shortages exist.

General Government operating, $13M over 2 years from within the $4.393B Growth Funding Uplift. Year-by-year split not separately disclosed.

Capital investment in workforce accommodation to support health and other staff in rural and remote communities.

New staff accommodation in rural and remote areas helps attract and retain health workers, improving access to care for country communities.

Capital, $12M in 2024-25

Capital investment to deliver Stage 1 of the Cairns Health and Innovation Centre.

A new Health and Innovation Centre in Cairns expands health services and research capacity for Far North Queensland.

Capital, $60M over 2 years ($8M 2024-25, $52M 2025-26)