The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring all Victorians, no matter their postcode, have access to the highest quality care by building bigger and better hospitals, providing more equipment and upgrading emergency departments right across Victoria.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will deliver more than $1.2 billion to upgrade and build more hospitals so our health services can deliver the highest quality of care for more Victorians.

The Budget delivers on the Labor Government’s election commitment, with more than $556 million to build and expand 10 community hospitals in Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Phillip Island, Sunbury, Torquay, Mernda, Eltham, Point Cook and the inner south of Melbourne.

This investment will ease strain on existing services, by delivering care at a local level. It also means that if a child falls sick late at night, a teenager breaks their ankle at sport, or if a loved one needs dialysis, local families will be able to get the care they need, close to home.

Our upgrade and expansion of Victoria’s hospitals and health services continues, with $94.8 million for a new world‑class hospital in Maryborough, delivering a new day surgery, birthing suites, imaging and pathology services, and urgent care. A further $98.9 million will expand the Angliss Hospital – including a new inpatient unit.

A $99.7 million investment will mean our youngest Victorians continue to get the very best care with the construction of new paediatric emergency departments at Maroondah Hospital, Casey Hospital, Northern Hospital, University Hospital Geelong and Frankston Hospital.

An additional $5.7 million will fund planning and business cases for new adult emergency departments at Maroondah, Casey, Northern, Werribee Mercy and Austin Hospitals.

Not only will this big health infrastructure build deliver better care for local families, it will also drive the creation of more than 2,400new local jobs.

Hospitals across Victoria will be able to upgrade their engineering infrastructure and medical equipment with $85 million.

A further $20 million will be invested in the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, so regional health services continue to have the facilities they need to respond to the needs of their local community. This brings the total funding to $490 million and makes it the largest ever investment dedicated to our rural and regional health services.

Recognising the need for more alcohol and other drug (AOD) services – particularly in regional Victoria – this Budget will also deliver $38.7 million in funding to build and open new residential rehabilitation beds, boost community‑based treatment services and deliver specific services for Aboriginal people in Victoria.

This Budget will further deliver on our work to decriminalise public drunkenness and set up a health‑based response, with nearly $10.5 million to roll out trials across the state.

The Labor Government has made unprecedented investments in Victoria’s health system, with more than $133 billion in funding since coming into office – ensuring all Victorians have access to the care, treatment and support they need to stay happy, healthy and well.