The focal point of funding initiatives targeted at women in this year’s government budget is a $792.9 million increase to women’s healthcare that addresses endometriosis, contraception, and pelvic pain. The federal government is happy to invest in women’s health, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. “Because for our government, women’s health is not a boutique issue or a question of special interest – it is a national priority,” he said.
However, the budget for women covered more than only health care. The government also supports women in the following ways:
Contraception
According to the government, the expense of medications is a deterrent to the use of contraception, which is used by about two-thirds of women between the ages of 18 and 44. The budget includes $134.3 million to increase Medicare rebates by 150 percent and encourage more nurse practitioners to charge in bulk for the insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). It is projected that about 300,000 women will save up to $400 annually on out-of-pocket costs for LARCs. For the first time in over 30 years, new oral contraceptives have been listed under a $1.8 billion Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) package, and they will go on sale on May 1. An additional $109.1 million will be used to support two nationwide trials aimed at lowering the cost and simplifying access to contraception and UTI treatment for women.
Endometriosis and alleviation of pelvic discomfort
To help the one in nine Australian women who have endometriosis, the government is funding endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics with $20.9 million over three years. With funds from this year’s budget, 11 additional clinics will be developed, expanding the 22 that now exist and serving menopausal and perimenopausal patients. Additionally, a new therapy for endometriosis has been classified under the PBS, which is anticipated to save approximately 8500 women thousands of dollars annually. Beginning on November 1, women with severe endometriosis will also be eligible for a Medicare rebate for ultrasounds.
Menopause assistance
Under a $26.3 million package, women of all ages going through menopause or perimenopause will be eligible for a new Medicare refund for menopause health evaluations. According to the government, new menopausal hormonal medicines classified under the PBS on March 1 will save around 150,000 women hundreds of dollars annually. The funding includes $12.8 million for a public awareness campaign and $4.4 million for training health professionals and developing national clinical standards for treatment.
Increases in wages
As the government invests in industries dominated by women, women’s salaries are expected to increase. The budget has allocated an additional $2.6 billion for wage increases for aged care nurses, which will take effect on March 1 and raise the total amount invested in the industry to $17.7 billion. “So the workers we trust to care for our parents and grandparents get paid properly for the work they do,” Chalmers said. When an additional 5% is added to a 10% raise granted in December 2024, early childhood education and care professionals will receive a “historic” $3.6 billion wage increase.
Measures to prevent domestic violence
An anti-domestic abuse plan worth about $1 billion was part of the federal budget last year. This year’s budget featured new multi-million dollar investments to deliver response mechanisms and frameworks, even though there was no major statement addressing what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously called a “national crisis.” The $277.7 million increase will create about 500 additional employment for frontline workers and the community sector nationwide. In order to support women and children who are victims of abuse, the government has also set aside $70 million to test new policies and improve current services.
In order to enhance victim and survivor engagement within the justice system and provide guidance for a more comprehensive response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s investigation into the Justice System’s Response to Sexual Violence, $21.4 million will be allocated over three years, from 2025 to 2026. $21.8 million for family, domestic, and sexual abuse services will be provided to First Nations women, children, and communities, while $16.7 million will be used to support creative ways to deal with the actions of offenders.
Career and workforce assistance
The government is spending $28 million to fund the building of the Nursing and Midwifery Academy in Victoria and $606.3 million to hire more physicians and nurses as part of its efforts to boost the nation’s health workforce. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training Program will be extended by 12 months with $1.3 million, and the Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship program will be expanded with an additional $10.5 million. A $3.4 million mentoring and coaching program will be available to First Nations women entrepreneurs. Additionally, $3.2 million will be given to the Australian Sports Commission to support women and girls’ involvement in leadership roles in sports through coaching, officiating, and sports administration.
