Health to get $11.1bn boost in Victorian budget, with pharmacist prescribing powers made permanent

Victoria’s health system will receive an $11.1bn cash injection in the state budget, with hospitals to receive more funding and pharmacists given greater powers to prescribe medications without the need for a GP visit. The budget, which will be handed down by the state’s treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, on Tuesday, includes a $9.3bn boost for public hospitals. The premier, Jacinta Allan, said she would “always fight” for a strong public health system. The government said the additional $11.1bn would bring the total amount of health funding in the budget to $31bn. On Monday, Symes said the budget would include a $600m projected operating surplus for 2025-26 – Victoria’s first since the pandemic began.