Last week’s National Cabinet agreement marks one of the most significant health and disability funding announcements the ACT has seen in years, but what does it actually mean for people living in Canberra, and when might the benefits be felt?
At a headline level, the numbers are substantial. The ACT Government has confirmed the Territory is forecast to receive $4.1 billion from the Commonwealth over five years to 2030–31, including an additional $557 million for public hospitals and a $150 million short-term uplift over the next two years to support smaller jurisdictions like the ACT.
For a city that consistently feels the pressure of population growth, workforce shortages, and a health system stretched across state borders, this is a meaningful shift.
But funding announcements are only the first step. The real question for Canberrans is how, and when, this translates into better access, shorter waits, and more support.
Why this funding matters for the ACT
Unlike larger states, the ACT runs a full health system for a relatively small population. That comes with higher per-person costs and less flexibility when demand spikes.
For years, the ACT has argued that national funding models did not adequately reflect this reality. This agreement, reached through National Cabinet, formally acknowledges that challenge.
In practical terms, the additional hospital funding is intended to:
- Ease pressure on emergency departments and inpatient services
- Support workforce attraction and retention in a tight national labour market
- Improve capacity across public hospitals and community health settings
However, it is important to be clear-eyed: this funding is as much about stabilising the system as it is about expanding it.
In the short term, many Canberrans may not notice dramatic changes overnight. The early impact is more likely to be felt behind the scenes, preventing further deterioration rather than immediately transforming experiences.
What this could mean for hospital access and waiting times
The $557 million increase in public hospital funding is significant, but hospitals are complex ecosystems. Based on health system research and implementation timelines, improvements typically occur in stages:
- 0–12 months: funding absorbed into staffing, contracts, and service continuity
- 12–24 months: gradual improvements in flow, reduced bed block, and workforce stability
- 2–4 years: more visible changes in elective surgery waitlists, outpatient access, and continuity of care
For Canberrans, that means the biggest gains are likely to be felt closer to the end of this decade, rather than immediately. The additional $150 million over the next two years is particularly important as a bridging measure, giving the ACT breathing room while longer-term funding arrangements are finalised.
What’s changing in disability and early childhood supports
Alongside health funding, National Cabinet confirmed key reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with a strong focus on sustainability and early intervention.
One of the most relevant changes for families is the revised timeline for the Thriving Kids program with the rollout to begin 1 October 2026 and full implementation by 1 January 2028. Thriving Kids is positioned as the first phase of Foundational Supports, designed to help children earlier, outside the NDIS, and reduce the need for more intensive interventions later.
A $2 billion national investment has been committed to deliver this, with the Commonwealth contributing $1.4 billion and states and territories matching the remainder.
For ACT families, this signals:
- More structured early supports for children with developmental needs
- A gradual shift away from crisis-driven entry into the NDIS
- Potentially clearer pathways between education, health, and disability services
Again, these are medium-term changes. Families are unlikely to see immediate new services this year, but the groundwork is now locked in.
What about the future of the NDIS?
From 1 July 2028, states and territories will increase their NDIS contributions in line with actual Scheme growth, capped at 8 per cent, with a review point in 2030–31.
For participants, this reform is aimed at protecting the Scheme’s long-term viability rather than reducing supports. The emphasis is on:
- Better coordination outside the NDIS
- Earlier, more universal supports
- Slowing unsustainable growth without cutting individual plans
How this plays out on the ground will depend heavily on implementation, workforce capacity, and how well foundational supports are integrated locally.
The bottom line for Canberrans
This agreement is best understood as a system-reset moment, not a quick fix. In the short term, it helps prevent further strain on hospitals and disability services. In the medium to long term, it creates the conditions for:
- More equitable health funding for the ACT
- Earlier and more accessible supports for children and families
- A more sustainable disability system
For Canberrans navigating health or disability services right now, change may feel slow. But structurally, this is a meaningful step toward a system that better reflects the realities of living, and ageing, in the ACT.
The real test will be how well this funding is translated into lived experience over the next five years.
What are you thoughts on this announcement?
