Health, housing and cost of living are at the forefront of the 2024-25 ACT Budget.

This year’s Budget delivers more public health services – from new health centres in the suburbs to more elective surgeries across Canberra’s public hospitals.

There is cost of living support for those who need it most, and further cuts to stamp duty to help more Canberrans buy a home.

The Budget also provides more funding for city services and local infrastructure projects across the city.

Health

The Budget is investing in a stronger health care system that is more efficient, with lower rates of avoidable hospital admissions, reduced health inequalities, and improved health outcomes.

This includes funding for work to complement the construction of the new North Canberra Hospital, as well as the second phase of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.

Funding in the 2024-25 Budget includes:

• the construction of two new community health centres in North Gungahlin and the Inner South, and early design work for an additional centre in West Belconnen
• 137 new nurses and midwives to work across Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, and the University of Canberra Hospital
• additional endoscopy, cataract, elective and emergency surgeries, and additional support for maternity and neonatology services
• the implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying
• ongoing funding for the second Police, Ambulance, and Clinician Early Response team (PACER), which provides safe assessment and treatment of people experiencing acute mental health crises.
  
  The Budget is investing in a stronger health care system.

Housing

Through this year’s Budget, the ACT Government aims to increase housing access, choice and affordability.

This includes expanding the Home Buyer Concession Scheme from 1 July, so more people are eligible for a full stamp duty concession on the first $1 million of property value.

The Government has also temporarily expanded the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan unit-titled apartments and townhouses to include properties valued up to $1 million in 2024–25. This is an increase from the previous value of $800,000.

Other initiatives funded in the Budget include:

• expanding the Affordable Housing Project Fund to $80 million to grow the number of affordable rental properties
• $108 million in extra funding for new public housing, and to improve existing public housing
• a taskforce to improve repairs and maintenance of public housing and oversee a pilot for insourcing maintenance of two large multi-unit properties.

Cost of living

Following support for all households in the Commonwealth Budget, the ACT Government is offering targeted assistance for those in the community who need it most.

This includes increasing the Electricity, Water and Gas Rebate (formerly, the Utilities Concession) for 2024-25 by $50. The increase will provide eligible households with a total rebate of $800 on their electricity bills.

The Budget also includes a $250 one-off payment for ACT apprentices and trainees to help complete their training. The payment will support about 5700 local apprentices and trainees.

The Future of Education Equity Fund has been boosted to ensure more families can access support in the 2024 school year. The Fund provides low-income families and independent students with a one-off payment to help with education costs such as music lessons or sporting equipment.

Other cost of living initiatives include:

• rebates of up to 50 per cent for pensioners on their general rates (capped at $750) and a $98 rebate for the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Levy
• full motor vehicle registration concessions for all eligible recipients
• extending the Rental Relief Fund to assist those experiencing rental stress or financial hardship
• increasing the value of vouchers available through the Utilities Hardship Fund.

Infrastructure

This year’s Budget invests in recreation spaces for the community and ensures Canberra is a more attractive tour option for live music and entertainment.

The 2024-25 Budget includes:

• further support for upgrades to the Phillip District Enclosed Oval
• commencement of construction of Stage 1 of the Stromlo Forest Park District Playing Fields
• early design works for a new or expanded Canberra Stadium, a new Convention and Entertainment Centre, a reopened Telstra Tower, a new Manuka Oval Eastern Grandstand Project, EPIC and Canberra City Pool
• continuation of design works for the expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium and redevelopment of the Canberra Theatre Centre
• upgrades to community arts, cultural and heritage facilities.

Education

The Government is committed to ensuring that children and young people have access to a quality education close to their homes.

The 2024–25 ACT Budget funds a new suite of system-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives – called Strong Foundations.

This approach will ensure all students at ACT public schools have access to consistent, high-quality literacy and numeracy education.

The 2024-25 ACT Budget also includes funding to support:

• domestic, family and sexual violence
• tourism, trade and business
• ACT roads and active travel
• a new recycling facility and essential city services.

For more on the 2024-25 ACT Budget, visit the Treasury website.

What's in it for your region?

Click on the map below to find out what's been funded in the 2024-25 ACT Budget for your region.