This year’s Federal Budget continues to prioritise women’s health, with new investments that reflect the growing recognition of the need for more affordable, accessible care — including through community pharmacy.
Among the headline measures is a $109.1 million commitment to improving access to oral contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Funding is committed for four years starting from 2025–26, and aims to make it cheaper and easier for many women to get the care they need, closer to home.
The Pharmacy Guild has long advocated for more streamlined access to medicines for common conditions like UTIs, with pharmacists already playing a key role in providing pharmacist-led treatment in all Australian states and territories. These trials are expected to further demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of pharmacists’ involvement in women’s primary care.
Also included in the Budget is $134.3 million to increase the Medicare schedule fee for long-acting reversible contraception items, including enabling nurse practitioners to perform insertions. A further $26.3 million has been allocated for new Medicare health assessments for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.
“These investments are part of a broader push to strengthen primary care access for women at all stages of life,” said Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey. “Community pharmacies are well positioned to support this effort, especially given their accessibility and the trust patients place in their pharmacists.”
The Budget’s broader emphasis on addressing the gender pay gap — including commitments around minimum wages in female-dominated sectors — also reflects the increasing visibility of structural inequities in healthcare and employment.
As these measures roll out, the Guild will continue working with government to ensure the pharmacy sector is empowered to deliver accessible, safe, and affordable care for all Australians.
