Federal Budget Summary

The Federal Budget handed down earlier this week is dealing with a series of crises, and thus a fairly reactive and overarching economic document.

The Federal Budget summary outlined below draws attention to funding allocations made to key areas of health relevant to people living with diabetes, and their families, friends and carers.

COVID response

COVID is front and centre, with allocations for vaccinations, as well as focussing on economic recovery.

Temporary MBS telehealth services introduce during the pandemic are funded until the end of 2021.

Aged Care

Aged Care receives nearly $18 billion over five years in response to the Royal Commission findings, with a significant increase in at-home care.  Over the next two years, 80,000 new home care packages will be funded.

Mandated residential and respite ‘care minutes’ and improved care services as recommended by the Commission are also included.

Workforce training in aged care also receives a boost, as do respite care services.

Medical Innovation

There is a focus on encouraging medical start-ups to develop and stay in Australia, with concessional tax rates aimed at making an attractive environment for local medial innovation.

The PBS listing of dulaglutide, Trulicity, was expanded in March to help with type 2 treatments.

Prevention

$492 million has been prioritised for preventive health and sport, to support the National Preventive Health Strategy and Sport 2030 programs.

Mental Health

The National Mental Health plan has been allocated $2.3 billion, which is shared across five priorities, one of which again is workforce training for nurses, psychologists and allied health.

More information

There are many areas covered by the budget which we have been campaigning for to improve the prevention and management of diabetes, however at this stage there is not a lot of detail behind the allocations. If you’re interested in more detail you can read the budget documents here

We will keep our community updated as more information comes to light and will continue to advocate with all levels of government on issues important to the diabetes community.