The ACT Government says it will spend $231.2 million over four years on public hospitals, community-based health services and workforce initiatives as part of the 2026-27 Budget.

The package includes $169.5 million to help meet growing demand for public hospital services and rising healthcare costs across the territory.

A further $23.4 million will fund operations at the new Acute Palliative Care Unit at Canberra Hospital, which is expected to open in late 2026. The unit will initially operate with eight beds and capacity to expand to 12.

The Budget also allocates $14.1 million for junior doctor wellbeing and workforce programs, $12.1 million to expand lung cancer specialist services and support the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, and $8.2 million to expand the Canberra Hospital Paediatric Fracture Clinic and establish a dedicated paediatric orthopaedic service.

An additional $3.9 million will be spent on breast cancer screening, treatment and support services at North Canberra Hospital for people at higher risk of the disease.

The ACT Government says the funding is intended to expand health services, support workforce retention and improve access to care as Canberra’s population grows.