Section
Healthcare
PBS, Medicare, dental, mental health, aged care, NDIS.
Mental health funding went UP — the 32 centres nobody mentions
$277.5M extends the National Mental Health Agreement to June 2027. 32 Medicare MH Centres + 58 headspace services continue.
137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics — the free bulk-billed alternative to ED
$1.8B makes 137 clinics permanent. 3M visits already delivered. 4 in 5 Aussies within 20-min drive by July 2026.
WTFBudget Editorial
The $449M RSV vaccine — who qualifies, who pays
Arexvy listed on NIP for 75+ general / 60+ First Nations. Free if eligible; ~$300+ if you self-fund.
WTFBudget Editorial
Public dental $431M — what's actually free, what isn't
Permanent funding for eligible kids (CDBS) and concession-card adults. Working adults without concession pay full freight.
WTFBudget Editorial
Private health rebate isn't being slashed, it's being shifted by age
From 1 April 2027 the age uplift on PHI rebate is removed. Base rebate stays — over-65s out-of-pocket rises modestly.
WTFBudget Editorial
$3.7B aged care package — what's actually free now
$1B removes personal-care co-contributions (showering, dressing). Daily fees, RAD, meals still apply.
WTFBudget Editorial
The $25 PBS cap is a myth — here's what actually changed
PBS co-payment stays around $31.60. The real change: bulk-billing GP incentives tripled.
WTFBudget Editorial
