Program · Outcome 2: Ensuring improved access for all Australians to cost-effective and affordable medicines, medical, dental and hearing services; improved choice in healthcare services, through guaranteeing Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; supporting targeted assistance strategies and private health insurance
Program 2.1: Medical Benefits
Deliver a modern, sustainable Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) that provides rebates for Australians to support access to a wide range of clinical services, based on the best available evidence. Work with consumers, health professionals, private health insurers and states and territories to implement Government initiatives to strengthen Medicare. Provide bulk billed primary care services under Medicare.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026-27 Portfolio Budget Statements, PDF page 6 reported
$37.6bn
2026-27 Budget estimate
+$2.4bn (+6.9%) on 2025-26 estimated actual
Traced to named suppliers and grant recipients
AusTender and GrantConnect record the agency, not the program, so contracts and grants are shown on the entity page.
Published lines
Each row is one line of the program’s expense table in the 2026-27 Portfolio Budget Statements – Program Expense Line Items, as published.
| Line | Kind | 2025-26 estimated actual |
2026-27 Budget estimate |
Change | Treatment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Guarantee Fund - medical benefits | administered | $35.0bn | $37.4bn | +$2.4bn +6.9% | reported | 2.2.1 Outcome 2, row 666 |
| Ordinary annual services | administered | $144m | $143m | −$807k −0.6% | reported | 2.2.1 Outcome 2, row 665 |
| accrual adjustment | administered | $40m | $42m | +$2.1m +5.1% | reported | 2.2.1 Outcome 2, row 667 |