LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has expressed concern that the 2026 Federal Budget contains no dedicated commitments to address urgent health and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQ+ communities, despite clear evidence and detailed recommendations put forward ahead of the Budget.
While LHA welcomes recent investments linked to the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025–2035 (National Action Plan), these measures do not address the sustained investment required to meaningfully address longstanding and systemic health and wellbeing inequities.
“This Budget represents a missed opportunity to further translate the commitments of the National Action Plan into action,” said Wayne Herbert, Acting Chair of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s Board of Governance.
“We recognise the current fiscal environment, the competing pressures on government and the investment made more broadly that supports the health and wellbeing of people in Australia. Investment in LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing is not an additional cost, it’s an investment in the Australian economy.”
“When people can access timely, appropriate care, it reduces pressure on crisis services and lowers long‑term costs across the health and social services systems. Failing to invest in preventive and early intervention services increases this pressure on downstream services.”
LHA’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission outlined a range of practical, cost‑effective measures, none of which have been addressed in the 2026 Budget. Of particular concern is the absence of additional investment in QLife, Australia’s national LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral service, which is approaching a significant funding shortfall despite sustained and growing demand. Funding to sustain services which are grounded in LGBTIQ+ lived and living experience are critical to support health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQ+ communities.
“LGBTIQ+ communities continue to experience significantly poorer health outcomes, including higher levels of psychological distress, elevated suicide risk, and ongoing barriers to accessing safe, appropriate care. Demand for services continues to grow, yet investment has not kept pace.”
The Budget also fails again to provide dedicated, sustained investment to address domestic, family and sexual violence experienced by LGBTIQ+ communities. This is despite a growing and well established evidence base demonstrating both disproportionate rates of violence and ongoing gaps in accessible, safe support.
“There is a need to fund new initiatives to fill gaps and sustain services that communities already rely on, ensuring they can meet rising demand,” Wayne Herbert said.
LHA reiterates its commitment to collaborating with members and partners, and working with government, to implement the National Action Plan and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQ+ communities.
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