Federal Budget 2026
AIDH has released the Federal Budget 2026 Statement, welcoming the legislative reforms that will expand sharing by default requirements,
The Labor Government has delivered a solid and progressive budget for healthcare and health consumers. There are investments across many areas of health, including digital health, share by default mechanisms, and increased investments in measures that enable quicker and easier access to healthcare data and services.
The funding for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) and the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) for improving My Health Record is a significant investment that reinforces the trusted and safe development and use of digital health in Australia.
We welcome the legislative reforms that will expand sharing by default requirements, which the Government says will provide over 24 million Australians with better access to My Health Record.
The Government’s $26.5 million investment to make it easier and safer for customers to access government services digitally using myGov is a very welcome measure. Building trust and confidence in the myGov app is essential, and AIDH supports increased funding that helps Australians safely use their myGov accounts and My Health Record. Ongoing investments in digital technologies have been highlighted in the Budget Papers, which will support modernised health service delivery.
The Federal Budget also includes $13.3 million over two years for Sparked, the national Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Accelerator Program, which is led by CSIRO. Sparked is critical in ensuring Australia’s healthcare system is interoperable and uniform. AIDH strongly recommends ongoing funding beyond the two-year horizon.
We’re also pleased that the Government is investing an additional $387.4 million for the CSIRO, though it remains unclear whether or how much of this funding will support ehealth work. AIDH’s submission to the Inquiry into CSIRO cuts highlighted the shortsightedness of divestment at this critical juncture in our health system’s evolution.
AIDH is reassured that the Government continues to value digital health programs and policies. We will know more in the coming weeks when specific details are scrutinised, but we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) and the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) on the delivery of the government’s Digital Health blueprint.
We are particularly interested in how the Budget will affect the Capability Action Plan, which supports the critical uplift of digital health skills for the healthcare workforce, and without which investments in technology and interoperability will not bear fruit. AIDH also acknowledges the Budget announcement that the Department of Finance will work with regulators “to explore how data and digital technologies, such as AI, can improve service delivery, improve productivity and reduce regulatory burden for people and business.”
Creating trust, safety and security of AI and digital technologies through appropriate regulations is essential in the wider economy, and particularly in health.
Download Federal Budget Statement