4 November 2026
New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data published today shows governments continue to underinvest in stopping people from getting sick, collectively spending less than three cents in every health dollar on public health and prevention.
The Public Health Association of Australia says it’s disappointing that governments collectively are failing to make meaningful progress toward the National Preventive Health Strategy's target of 5% of total health spending by 2030.
The peak body is urging all governments and political candidates at upcoming VIC and NSW state elections to invest more in programs which keep people well so they don't add to pressures on hospital emergency departments and ambulance services.
The AIHW's Government expenditure on public health activities in Australia 2024–25 shows that spending on public health in 2024/25 was $5.7 billion, 2.8% of total government health spending.
The figures capture spending on initiatives that promote and protect health, including campaigns, vaccination screening programmes, communicable disease control, and food standards and hygiene. Overall the percentage spent on public health in 2024-25 fell from 2023-24, and was well below the peak of 9% of health funding during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. The report also reveals differences in public health spending between state and territories.
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, said investing in stopping people getting sick is essential to relieve the strain on the health system across the country.
“All of us deserve to live long and healthy lives,” Prof Slevin said. “Yet, currently, three in five Australians are living with chronic diseases, and around a third of the total burden of diseases is either preventable or reducible. We can all see the pressures on our health system through rising costs and strained emergency departments, while doctors and nurses are flat out.
“Public health activities need to strongly focus on prevention, promotion, and protection.
“We need all governments to put more money aside for initiatives and programmes that keep people in Australia well and out of hospital for as long as possible.”
Adj Prof Slevin added that prevention spending was a key public health priority in the lead-up to the Victorian and NSW elections.
“Today, several governments are paying prevention lip service, but don't put their money where their mouth is. The result is people stay crook, and our health budgets keep ballooning.
“In Victoria, we're worried about the future of its world leading prevention body, VicHealth. With voters casting their ballots on 28 November, our Victorian branch is asking candidates to not only commit to saving VicHealth, but also dedicate 5% of health spending to prevention.”
“Recently the NSW Government held a prevention summit. We need to make sure this gathering translates into concrete action. Ahead of the March 2026 election we'll be asking each political party about their commitment to prevention spending.
"In WA, the 5% for prevention commitment has been made by two premiers prior to the last two elections, with the target to be met and maintained by July 2029. We continue to work towards that being embedded as a reality.
“The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 set a target that prevention should account for 5% of total health spending by 2030. The data released today shows that five years out, Australia is falling well short of that goal,” Prof Slevin said.
“Despite numerous previous strategies and reports, such as the Productivity Commission’s proposed a new model for prevention funding, there's been little action.
“We've got to get serious about investing in prevention actions that tackle the many factors which cause sickness, so we keep people healthy, and with their families for longer.”
ENDS
About us:
We’re Australia's peak body for public health and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent – rather than cure – illness and disease. We represent around 2,000 individual members from more than 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We have branches in every state and territory. https://www.phaa.net.au/
Contact details:
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, [email protected]