The Victorian Government has set a bold vision that Victorians are the healthiest people in the world.
More than 1 in 10 Victorians already access community health services, but many more are missing out on the support they need.
By investing in the community health services, we can keep Victorians well, prevent hospitalisations, and ensure every Victorian has access to timely, affordable support.
Budget
Asks
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Reduce waiting lists for affordable healthcare. Boost funding for the Community Health Program to deliver an additional 60,000 hours of care each year – making timely, accessible health care a reality for more Victorians.
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Create a community health infrastructure fund. Allocate a minimum of 1.5% of Victoria's health infrastructure budget to expand statewide reach through new and upgraded facilities – especially in growth suburbs and regional areas.
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Invest in care pathways for chronic disease. Expand and scale the Connected Care Pathways for Chronic Disease program to reach more Victorians living with chronic conditions.
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Connect more communities to care. Invest in the Connecting Communities to Care program to expand access to preventative health services with a focus on those who are most vulnerable and rural and regional communities.
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Support a virtual connected care pilot to increase access to nursing, allied health and chronic care to more Victorians – no matter where they live.
Why investment matters now
Equity: 1 in 10 Victorians miss out on vital care due to cost.
Efficiency: Over 550,000 potentially preventable Emergency Department presentations occur each year, costing the system $500 million. Community health can help reduce this significantly.
Reform Alignment: These initiatives reflect the Expert Advisory Committee’s call for connected community-based care.
Impact Where It Matters: These targeted investments will deliver real outcomes – more care delivered locally, reduced hospital demand and a stronger, more resilient health system.
Urgent investment needed
Currently, less than 0.5% of Victoria’s $27 billion health budget is directed to community health – despite it being one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes and reduce pressure on hospitals.
With a strategic investment of just $75 million per year, we can unlock:
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Up to $700 million in avoided future healthcare costs.
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Tens of thousands more Victorians accessing care when and where they need it.
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Greater equity for rural, regional, and vulnerable communities.
This is a defining moment to strengthen our system – making care more connected, more accessible, and more effective.