The Government of Victoria in Australia has announced a significant A$13bn ($8.6bn) investment aimed at bolstering healthcare services across the state.

This financial commitment is part of the Victorian Budget 2024/25 and is set to kickstart with an A$8.8bn funding injection to aid hospitals in delivering care and planning for the future.

The budget allocation includes a substantial A$146.3m investment to support ambulance services in providing timely care closer to home.

Additionally, the government will continue providing support for 29 Priority Primary Care Centres, which are delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth, to offer urgent care services.

A major portion of the budget, amounting to A$1.7bn, is earmarked for building and upgrading hospitals and health facilities across Victoria.

This includes significant expansions at three of the busiest hospitals in the state, namely Northern Hospital, Austin Hospital and Monash Medical Centre.

The Monash Medical Centre is set for an A$535m expansion, which includes a new seven-storey tower to come up above the emergency department.

The upcoming development will feature new operating suites, birthing suites, and pre and post-op beds.

Scheduled to begin next year, the construction is expected to create 1,500 local jobs and will enable the facility to accommodate an additional 7,500 surgeries annually.

The Austin Hospital will receive an A$275m investment to add 29 extra emergency treatment spaces, which will support an additional 30,000 emergency patients each year.

The Northern Hospital's A$813m allocation will fund up to 70 additional treatment spaces and a new emergency department with a dedicated paediatric zone, creating around 3,000 construction jobs.

More than A$118m will be invested in the Alfred Hospital for various works to maintain the operating theatres, intensive care, and inpatient units.

Furthermore, the government will invest A$28m to support health services and enhance the nursing workforce capacity in the region.

Victoria Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services minister Mary-Anne Thomas said: “We are transforming Victoria’s world-class healthcare system – delivering better facilities, more healthcare workers and a record investment to make sure every Victorian gets the best care, no matter their address.”