The Abbott Government has anti-vaxxers in its sights with millions of dollars allocated to boosting the vaccination rate.
More than $26 million will be provided over four years to improve immunisation coverage, alongside the tightening of exemptions to welfare recipients refusing to vaccinate their children.
Budget documents show that the “No Jab No Pay” scheme, unveiled in April, is set to save the government more than half a billion dollars over five years.
A total of $508.3 million is expected to be saved through measures cutting access to Family Tax Benefit A to families whose children are not up to date with childhood immunisations.
The new measures, to come into effect from January 1, will only allow exemptions for medical reasons.
Overall, the Abbott Government is set to spend $69.7 billion on health, an increase of $2.3 billion from the previous year.
Spending on Medicare is expected to increase to more than $22 billion over the coming financial year, while other funding includes:
- $2.4 billion allocated towards improving primary and mental health outcomes
- $16.4 billion on hospital funding
- $1.3 billion over four years listing new medicines and vaccines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The health system was one of the big losers of the first Abbott Government budget, but the mental health sector did see $300 million announced for front line services in April.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is also expected to be the key factor of growth behind spending in social security and welfare.
Budget documents detail the scheme as costing a projected $19.2 billion in 2018-19.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is expected to be the key factor of growth behind spending in social security and welfare.(AAP)
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