AHPA has submitted our 2025-26 pre-budget submission to the Federal Treasury, urging the Australian Government to strengthen its commitment to health promotion and prevention. As the peak body for health promotion in Australia, AHPA continues to advocate for policies and funding that will enhance the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
A Call for Increased Investment in Prevention
AHPA’s submission highlights the urgent need for the Government to increase health promotion and prevention funding from the current 2% to at least 5% of total health expenditure by 2030. Research has consistently shown that investment in prevention delivers significant economic and health benefits, reducing the burden on the healthcare system and improving population health outcomes.
Despite Australia ranking highly in overall health expenditure, its spending on preventive health measures lags behind comparable nations. AHPA’s submission argues that aligning our investment with international best practices will help address health inequities and improve long-term wellbeing.
Key Recommendations
AHPA’s pre-budget submission outlines five key recommendations to drive meaningful health improvements:
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Increase funding for health promotion and prevention – Commit to at least 5% of annual health expenditure for prevention to achieve lasting public health benefits.
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Enhance implementation of the National Preventive Health Strategy (NPHS) 2021-2030 – Ensure robust funding for monitoring, evaluation, and continued implementation.
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Advance the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) with a focus on health promotion – Invest in a well-trained workforce and ensure health promotion is central to CDC operations.
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Address the broader social determinants of health – Recognise and resource action on factors such as housing, climate change, employment, and social equity.
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Strengthen the health promotion workforce – Support workforce development through professional training, registration, and sustainable career pathways.
Prioritising Health and Wellbeing for All
AHPA’s submission underscores the need for the Government to adopt a whole-of-government approach, embedding health promotion and prevention into all policy areas. The association also calls for adequate resourcing to ensure the success of the National Health and Climate Strategy, as well as policies that prioritise equity, sustainability, and community well-being.
AHPA President, Melinda Edmunds, emphasised that the 2025-26 budget is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the health and wellbeing of Australians: “By prioritising health promotion and prevention, we can reduce the burden of disease, improve quality of life, and build a healthier, more equitable society.”
AHPA remains committed to advocating for policies that strengthen health promotion in Australia. We encourage health professionals, policymakers, and the public to engage with our recommendations and support the call for increased investment in prevention.
Thank you to our submission authors Tiffany Alling and Kate Lowsby, reviewers Natalia March, Louise Baldwin and Melinda Edmunds and other members who provided feedback.
AHPA's Federal Treasury 2025-26 Pre-budget Submission was featured in this article, Putting a wellbeing economy, oral health leadership and workforce priorities on the Federal Budget agenda, published by Croakey Health Media on 12 February 2025.
Read the full pre-budget submission here.