Significant Investments in STIs and BBVs in the 2024-2025 Federal Budget
May 2024
This week, the federal government unveiled a highly anticipated budget, including a major investment in the national response to BBVs and STIs. As part of an overall spend on health and aged care of $146.1 billion, $126.5 million over two years is indicated for the prevention, testing and treatment of BBVs and STIs.
The goal to eliminate the transmission of HIV by 2030 has been given new support with an unprecedented $43.9 million funding commitment to the implementation of the HIV Taskforce’s recommendations. This new funding is essential support for groups who have limited access to healthcare services or Medicare, like many of those we have interviewed as part of our LeNS Study. This includes $26 million allocated to subsidise pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention for people without access to Medicare.
For hepatitis B, a new $7.8 million commitment over two years to develop and pilot hepatitis B projects to reduce transmission represents the first hepatitis B-specific funding in the Federal budget.
The $7.9 million in funding announced for peak bodies, including our partners, the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA), ASHM Health and Hepatitis Australia is essential for the continuation of BBV and STI testing, treatment and prevention through workforce development and community led responses, which are the foundation of Australias national response to STIs and BBVs.
The Health+Law Partnership welcomes this significant, ongoing commitment to funding BBVs and STIs. Chief Investigator and Health+Law Lead Scientia Associate Professor David Carter, commented that:
‘We are pleased to see this significant new support for the essential work being undertaken by the STI and BBV community, clinical and research sectors in Australia. Our work with affected communities and their organisations show the strength and capability of community, clinicians and researchers when we work together - this new funding will boost our ability to achieve the important public health, legal and quality of life goals we are all committed to.’
Health+Law will be reporting results of the LeNS Study on the legal needs and access to justice experiences of people living with HIV or hepatitis B during Summer 2024-25.
Further reading:
Hepatitis Australia pre-budget submission: National Hepatitis B Strategy
National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) pre-budget submission