A $792.9 million boost to women’s healthcare, targeting endometriosis, contraception and pelvic pain, is the centrepiece of funding measures aimed towards women in this year’s federal budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the federal government was proud to invest in women’s health.
“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.
But there was more in the budget for women than just health. Here are all the other ways the government is supporting women.
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Contraception
About two-thirds of women between 18 and 44 use contraception, with the government citing the cost of medicines as a barrier to uptake.
The budget contains $134.3 million to create 150 per cent larger Medicare rebates and incentivise more bulk billing for insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) by nurse practitioners.
About 300,000 women will be estimated to save up to $400 a year in out-of-pocket expenses for LARCs.
Under a $1.8 billion Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) package, new oral contraceptives have been listed for the first time in more than 30 years and will become available from May 1.
Another $109.1 million will be allocated to fund two national trials that are hoped to make it cheaper and easier for women to access contraceptives and treatment for urinary tract infections.
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Endometriosis and pelvic pain relief
The government is investing $20.9 million over three years for endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics to support the one in nine Australian women suffering from endometriosis.
There will be 11 new clinics created with funding in this year’s budget, building upon the 22 already established, and will also be available to those experiencing perimenopause and menopause.
A new endometriosis treatment has also been listed under the PBS, which is expected to save about 8500 women thousands of dollars a year.
Women with severe endometriosis will also be able to receive a Medicare rebate for ultrasounds from November 1.
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Menopause support
Women of all ages experiencing perimenopause or menopause will be able to receive a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments under a $26.3 million package.
New types of menopausal hormonal therapies were listed under the PBS from March 1, which the government says will save about 150,000 women hundreds each year.
Under the budget, $4.4 million will help develop national clinical guidelines for treatment and train health professionals and $12.8 million will form a public awareness campaign.
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Wage increases
Women are set to see their wages rise as the government pours into female-dominated industries.
The budget has funded $2.6 billion in further pay rises for aged care nurses from March 1, bringing the total investment into the sector up 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.
Early childhood education and care workers will see a “historic” $3.6 billion wage hike from December when an extra five per cent is slapped onto a 10 per cent increase handed down in December 2024.
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Anti-domestic violence measures
Last year’s federal budget included an almost $1 billion anti-domestic violence package.
While there wasn’t a headline announcement tackling what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously dubbed a “national crisis”, this year’s budget included new multi-million-dollar investments to improve response measures and frameworks.
About 500 new community sector and frontline worker jobs will be created across the country under a $277.7 million boost.
The government has also allocated $70 million to existing services and trialling new measures to support women and children experiencing violence.
There will be $21.4 million invested over three years from 2025-26 to improve victim and survivor engagement within the justice system and inform a broader response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into the Justice System’s Response to Sexual Violence.
First Nations women, children and communities will receive $21.8 million for family, domestic and sexual violence services and $16.7 million will fund innovative approaches to address perpetrator behaviour.
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Workforce and career support
Under efforts to support the country’s health workforce, the government is using $606.3 million to deliver more doctors and nurses and $28 million to support the construction of the Nursing and Midwifery Academy in Victoria.
Another $10.5 million will expand the Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship program and $1.3 million will extend the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training Program by 12 months.
First Nations women in business will be able to access a $3.4 million mentoring and coaching program.
And, the Australian Sports Commission will receive $3.2 million to help women and girls’ participation in sports leadership through coaching, officiating and sports administration.
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