It'll be a breakthrough, but not a cash splash.
That's the Tasmanian government's heads up about the state budget to be handed down on Thursday.
The island's Liberal premier Will Hodgman on Monday reconfirmed the books will be back in black, although stopped short of quantifying the excess.
"You'll have to wait for the final figures but we will be returning to surplus," he told reporters.
Mr Hodgman said a recent $500 million write down in GST revenue over the forward estimates has taken a bite out of the bottom line but won't prevent the promised surplus.
"That has obviously had a significant impact, but notwithstanding that we will return the state budget into surplus for the first time in seven years and that is a breakthrough."
The government has already revealed some of its spending plan, including $113 million for school infrastructure, which will stretch to refurbishments and additional facilities.
There is also an extra $300,000 for treating imprisoned sex offenders, requiring them to undergo specific treatment before becoming eligible for parole.
More spending will be unveiled on Thursday, and is expected to include much-anticipated funding to reduce elective surgery waiting lists at the state's public hospitals.
But Treasurer Peter Gutwein has ruled out wanton spending.
"We will still be able to invest in the core services of government but this will not be a cash splash budget," Mr Gutwein told parliament in April.
The premier said spending would aim to help the most vulnerable in the community.
