Need for Greater Prevention Funding
The Victorian Government’s 2026-27 budget has allocated a record $32 billion to health services. This includes $3.9 billion earmarked for new investments primarily aimed at hospitals and specialist care. However, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) VIC Branch has expressed concerns about the limited focus on preventive health measures. Only $10 million is designated for women’s preventive sexual health support, a figure the PHAA considers insufficient.
Mariam Hachem, President of the PHAA VIC Branch, stated, “Health is shaped by the social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions in which people live. The Victorian Government’s ongoing investment in health services and efforts to improve access to care does not go unnoticed.” However, she highlighted that the budget continues to prioritise crisis responses over early intervention and preventive measures. Hachem said, “Without sustained, scaled, and protected investment in preventive health, Victoria risks perpetuating a system that reacts to illness late, incurring added costs.”
Call for Enhanced Prevention Funding
The PHAA VIC Branch has proposed several recommendations to improve preventive health measures. They suggest increasing prevention funding to 5% of the state’s health budget to achieve more effective and cost-efficient outcomes in the long term. According to the association, establishing a Victorian-specific Public Health Officer Training Programme and securing five years of funding for Local Public Health Units are essential steps.
Ensuring VicHealth remains independent and fully funded is another priority. Hachem emphasised the importance of prevention, mentioning, “Taking prevention seriously eases the pressures on our hospitals and ambulance services, and means Victorians can live longer and healthier, and have a better quality of life.”
The PHAA VIC Branch has outlined its priorities for the upcoming November election. They urge candidates to focus on preventive measures to keep Victorians healthy. This includes recommendations such as increasing prevention funding to 5% of the overall health budget and ensuring sustained investment in local health initiatives.
Dr. Stephen Owen, PHAA Communications Officer, is available for further comment and can be reached at 0400 169 787. The PHAA continues to advocate for public health and strives to prevent illness rather than cure it, representing around 2,000 members across Australia. The association has branches in every state and territory, emphasizing a national commitment to public health.
