Federal Budget 2022-23

Introduction

On 25 October 2022, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the 2022-23 Federal Budget, the first Budget of the Albanese Labor Government. When addressing the media in the lead up to the Budget, Chalmers himself referred to this budget as a “bread and butter” one that will have its challenges.

In September, Chalmers announced a $50 billion improvement in the federal budget compared to the March projections, predominantly due to the higher-than-expected commodity prices boosting returns from mineral exports.

With major focus towards cost of living and investment in the resilience of the Australian economy.

The inaugural Budget of the Albanese Labor Government looks to repair the Budget following the wasteful spending of the former government, and redirect priorities in a period of economic uncertainty.

The Budget also delivers on several of the Governments key election commitments which saw it win the May 2022 federal election.

Budget Outlook

The global economic environment has sharply deteriorated. Exacerbated by a global energy price shock, inflation has risen rapidly across advanced economies and, in many countries, is at levels not seen in decades. Central banks have lifted interest rates quickly in response, constituting the fastest synchronised monetary policy tightening in the inflation targeting era. The combination of these factors is expected to slow global economic growth in 2023 to 2¾ per cent. The risk of recession across major advanced economies has risen and China’s growth outlook has weakened.

• Nominal GDP is forecast to grow strongly at 8 per cent in 2022–23
• Nominal GDP is then expected to fall by 1 per cent in 2023–24 due to the assumed decline in commodity prices and associated decline in Australia’s terms of trade
• Higher nominal GDP in the near term will flow through to upgrades in tax receipts.

The immediate focus of the Budget is to ensure that fiscal policy avoids adding to inflationary pressures in the economy and beginning budget repair. Over time, the focus will shift to achieving measured improvements in the budget position that aim to stabilise and then reduce gross debt as a share of GDP.

The Government has identified $28.5 billion in budget improvements over the 4 years to 2025–26, including:

• $3.7 billion from extending the ATO’s Tax Avoidance Taskforce, Shadow Economy, and Personal Income Taxation Compliance programs to improve the integrity of the tax system
• $952.8 million through comprehensive action to ensure multinationals pay their fair share of tax, including limiting the amount of debt-related deductions multinationals can claim, requiring relevant companies to enhance the tax information they disclose to the public and closing loopholes on the use of intangibles and intellectual property.
• $22.0 billion in spending reductions or reprioritisations, including:
  • $6.5 billion in savings from reprofiling infrastructure projects to better align investments with industry and market conditions while maintaining the Government’s overall funding commitment to the projects
  • $3.6 billion in savings from external labour, advertising, travel and legal expenses
  • $1.7 billion through more responsible investments in the National Water Grid Funds

2022-23 Federal Budget Commitments

Cost of Living

This Budget delivers a five-point plan for responsible and targeted cost-of-living relief.

This includes cheaper childcare and cheaper medicines, an expanded Paid Parental Leave scheme, more affordable housing, and getting wages moving again.

The Plan delivers cost-of-living relief and an economic dividend without putting pressure on inflation.

• $4.7 billion over 4 years to deliver cheaper childcare for 1.26 million families.
• $531.6 million over 4 years to expand Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks by 2026.
• More affordable housing, including through a new national Housing Accord which brings together governments, investors and industry to boost supply and deliver up to 20,000 new affordable homes.
• $787.1 million over 4 years to reduce the general patient co-payment for treatments on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from $42.50 to $30 per script.
• Supporting wage increases for our lowest paid workers and getting wages moving again.

Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

The Government has enshrined in law our emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism will support whole-of-economy emissions reductions and align our economy with green growth opportunities.

The big financial commitments include:

• $2billion commitment to cover flood-related costs
• $42.6 million to restore the Climate Change Authority, introducing an Annual Climate Change Statement to Parliament and increasing transparency around climate-related spending in the Budget.
• $105.2 million to support First Nations people to respond to climate change in their communities.
• $39.1 million will improve the Australian Public Service’s climate expertise, including by rebuilding Treasury’s climate modelling capability.
• $45.8 million will boost our ability to engage, share knowledge and partner with our neighbours and others around the world on climate change.
• $1.2 billion by 2030 for Great Barrier Reef conservation and protection
• $1.8 billion investment in strong action to protect, restore and manage the natural environment.
• $91.1 million over 6 years will clean up and restore urban waterways, protect local species and improve liveability for communities.
• $224.5 million will help save threatened native species and implement the Threatened Species Action Plan (2022–2032).
• $224.3 million Community Batteries for Household Solar Program will assist up to 100,000 households to reduce their power bills by delivering up to 400 community batteries to store excess solar energy for when it is needed most. The Government is also providing $102.2 million for the Community Solar Banks program to help up to 25,000 households access cheap solar-powered energy.

Finance and Treasury

Buy Australia Plan

• The Government has committed to the 10-point Buy Australian Plan to support Australian businesses to compete more effectively, increase employment and build resilience in supply chains. The Government has established the Future Made in Australia Office to coordinate delivery of commitments under the Buy Australian Plan. The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Finance and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Cyber Hubs pilot – extension

• $31.3 million in 2022–23 to extend the whole of government Cyber Hubs pilot

Delivery of a First Nations Voice to Parliament Referendum – preparatory work

• $75.1 million over two years from 2022–23 to prepare for the delivery of a referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
• $6.5 million over two years from 2022–23 to the National Indigenous Australians Agency to support the Referendum

Commonwealth Fleet Leases

• $15.9 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $6.0 million per year to 2032–33) to reduce the level of emissions of the Australian Public Service through a low emissions vehicle target for the Commonwealth Fleet of 75 per cent of new passenger vehicle purchases and leases by 2025.
  
  

Health and Aged Care

The Health and Aged Care portfolios were a key election issue. The Government’s commitments in each overarching area include:

Health

• $39.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to increase the number and consistency of conditions screened through the newborn bloodspot screening programs.
• $4.7 million in 2022–23 to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust to support children’s health in Western Australia.
• $1.3 million in 2022–23 to the Trust for the ORIGINS project, funded through the Medical Research Future Fund, as part of annual funding of $1.3 million per year provided since the 2017–18 MYEFO
• $3.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $0.7 million per year ongoing) to develop a National Health and Climate Strategy and establish a National Health Sustainability and Climate Unit.
• $75.0 million over 5 years from 2023–24 to support the delivery of the Bentley Hospital Surgicentre in Perth in partnership with the Western Australian Government
• $9.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to amend the Medicare Benefits Schedule to improve access to primary health care services and improve clinical practice.
• $61.8 million over 6 years from 2022–23 to fund local health investment projects in rural and regional locations to improve primary care outcomes and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments.
• $9.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to continue the National Sports Tribunal, which provides independent resolution dispute processes for sport participants and National Sporting Organisations.
• $13.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 by responding to the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce’s recommendations to align the MBS with contemporary practice
• $452.0 million over 6 years from 2022–23 to support the establishment of cancer centres in Brisbane and Adelaide. Funding includes:
  • $375.0 million over 6 years from 2022–23 to contribute to the establishment of the Queensland Cancer Centre in Brisbane. The centre will be owned and operated by the Queensland Government and will be located within the Herston Health Precinct at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
  • $77.0 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to contribute to the establishment of the Bragg Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Adelaide. The centre is an extension of the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

Mental Health

• $24.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (including $6.6 million per year ongoing) to improve access to mental health services.
• $13.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support communities impacted by flooding in New South Wales
• $12.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to provide Medicare eligibility for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at the new Maitland Hospital, the Wyong Hospital, and the Hawkesbury Hospital in New South Wales.
• $15.9 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $6.6 million per year ongoing) to establish and support a National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the National Centre of Excellence)

Covid-19

• $410.3 million in 2022–23 for the procurement and distribution of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) to support COVID-19 outbreak management and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in high risk settings.
• $808.2 million in 2022–23 to extend elements of the Government’s response to COVID-19 until 31 December 2022. Funding includes:
  • $759.9 million to extend the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response, which provides for 50 per cent of the cost of state and territory COVID-19 responses including vaccine delivery, testing and treatments
  • $48.3 million in 2022–23 to extend the GP-led Respiratory Clinics program, which delivers face-to-face care, respiratory assessments, COVID-19 testing and treatment of COVID-positive patients
  • Extending medical indemnity legislative arrangements to continue access to the Run-Off Cover Scheme to support eligible doctors and midwives returning to the workforce to help address shortages arising from COVID-19.
• $3.2 million in 2022–23 to undertake the initial design for the establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control.
• $355.8 million in 2022–23 for the distribution and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines across Australia. Funding includes:
  • $314.0 million for the distribution of fourth vaccine doses in primary care settings, pharmacies, state-based clinical sites, aged and disability care facilities, and First Nations communities
  •  $41.8 million for communication activities to drive uptake with a specific focus on people at risk of severe disease and those with lower access to mainstream media

Aged-Care

• $2.5 billion over 4 years from 2022–23 to improve the quality of care in residential aged care facilities by requiring all facilities to have a registered nurse onsite 24 hours per day, 7 days a week from 1 July 2023 and increasing care minutes to 215 minutes per resident per day from 1 October 2024
• $23.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to improve aged care infrastructure and services that provide additional support to older First Nations peoples, and older Australians from diverse communities and regional areas
• $9.9 million over two years from 2022–23 to establish the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission from December 2022
• $8.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to increase financial transparency through the introduction of new financial reporting requirements for residential aged care providers
• $5.0 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to the Maggie Beer Foundation to support the sector in providing better food for residential aged care and home care recipients
• $3.6 million in 2022–23 to establish a national registration scheme and code of conduct for personal care workers in the aged care sector.
• $50.4 million from the Training for Authorised Nurse Immunisers in Residential Aged Care component of the 2022–23 March Budget measure COVID-19 Response Package – Ageing and Aged Care
• $540.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to improve the delivery of aged care services and respond to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
• $327.7 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $94.6 million per year ongoing) to expand the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative to provide subsidised glucose monitoring devices to all people with type 1 diabetes.
• $845.4 million in 2022–23 to support older Australians and the aged care sector with managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding includes:
  •  $810.2 million for claims made by aged care providers for additional costs incurred due to COVID-19 outbreaks that occur until 31 December 2022
  • $34.9 million to extend the current in-reach testing arrangements in Residential Aged Care Facilities to 31 December 2022
  • $0.3 million to extend the operation of the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre from 30 June 2022 to 30 September 2022 to enable the continued support of residential aged care facilities to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria during Winter 2022

Communications and The Arts

• $27.7 million over 5 years from 2022–23 (including $15.3 million in capital funding) for the Australian Communications and Media Authority to deliver a new spectrum management system and auction capability for spectrum licences.
• $757.7 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to improve mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in rural and regional Australia
• $84.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s national broadcasters
• $6.0 million over 3 years from 2023–24 to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation for the national rollout of the eSmart Digital Licence+, Media Literacy Lab and a new Junior Digital Licence+ to improve media and digital literacy and online safety awareness among primary and secondary school students.
• $31.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $4.0 million per year ongoing) to support local news and community broadcasting
• $36.8 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $1.0 million per year ongoing) to support the arts sector
• $5.1 million over 3 years from 2023–24 (and $1.8 million per year ongoing) towards the cost of regulating the tourist and heritage rail sector by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

Defence

• $213.3 million over 5 years from 2021–22 to deliver additional assistance to Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.
• $24.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $2.0 million per year ongoing) to improve the capacity of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to model increased demand for services and to support its operations.
• $46.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and approximately $17.8 million per year ongoing) to expand access to the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and veterans to purchase their own home
• $97.9 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $28.7 million per year ongoing) to increase the Special Rate of Disability Compensation Payment, Temporary Special Rate Payment, and the Special Rate Disability Pension by $1,000 per year.
• $9.5 million over two years from 2022–23 to develop, and consult on, a pathway to simplify and harmonise veteran rehabilitation and compensation legislation.
• $1.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $0.4 million per year ongoing) to assist with the purchase of a grave marker for private graves of veterans of the First World War
• $87.0 million over two years from 2022–23 to improve the administration of the claims processing system and improve veterans’ services.
• $37.3 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to the Department of Defence to support the development of defence and fuel manufacturing industries.
• $70.7 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $0.4 million per year ongoing) to support veterans and their families and improve veterans’ wellbeing

Women

The government has outlined a great focus on supporting women in the workforce, both in terms of participation and gender equality standards. Childcare subsidies will also be introduced to include a broader range of incomes in order to combat cost of living pressures. The Government have outlined their plan to support increased pay for women in low-paid sectors, including through the introduction of a statutory equal remuneration principle which will reduce barriers to pay equity claims.

Initiatives in place to support women in the workforce include:

• $4.7 billion investment in early childhood education and care will assist in removing barriers for parents to increase their workforce participation and support families to balance their work and care responsibilities.
• $531.6 million over the four years towards the extension of the paid parental leave scheme, but it could exceed $600 million a year once the change is in place by 2026.
• $42.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to implement its response to recommendations of the Respect@Work Report
• $32.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to fund Working Women’s Centres in all states and territories to provide advice, information and advocacy to workers on gender-based workplace issues, including sexual harassment.
• $20.2 million over 4 years to set up 2 new expert panels on Pay Equity and the Care and Community Sector to support the Fair Work Commission.
• $32 million to fund Working Women’s Centres in every state and territory. These centres provide free information and assistance on issues such as discrimination and pay equity.
• $1 billion one-year National Skills Agreement jointly funded with states and territories to deliver 180,000 fee-free TAFE and community-based vocational education places from January 2023, targeted to priority groups, including women facing economic equality issues and those studying in non-traditional fields
• $15.1 million over 4 years to implement the new prohibition, amending the Fair Work Act 2009 to expressly prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace, enabling the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman to deal with disputes alleging workplace sexual harassment.
• $169.4 million over four years to provide an additional 500 frontline service and community workers across Australia to increase the support available for women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence.

In addition to this, a large focus of the Women’s Budget were initiatives to protect victims of domestic violence, including but not limited to:

• $1.7 billion to support women’s safety, with $1.3 billion to support implementation of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–23. It will fund initiatives to support the prevention of violence, early intervention, responses, and recovery and healing.
• 4,000 new homes for women, in particular, those fleeing situations of domestic violence.
• $55.3 million for additional phases of the Stop it at the Start campaign and $32.2 million to promote the importance of consensual and respectful relationships.
• $240 million to support the ongoing demand for individualised financial support packages to assist individuals establish a life free from violence, through the Escaping Violence Payment.
• $57.9 million is also being provided for the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes and the Safe Phones programs. Funding of $100 million will continue the Safe Places program
  
  

Lastly, to advance gender equality, the Government will develop a National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality. The Strategy will be guided by the new independent Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce and informed by broad consultation. The Government is also delivering on its commitment to introduce gender-responsive budgeting so that the impacts of policies on women are taken into account in decision-making.

Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

The Government have included a number of initiatives to support infrastructure development across the country, looking to work with each jurisdiction to streamline the delivery of major projects over the coming years.

The fiscal commitments include:

• $9.6 billion for vital infrastructure projects across Australia
• $8.1 billion over 10 years from 2022–23 for priority rail and road infrastructure projects across Australia to support economic growth and development
  • $300 million for Western Sydney Roads Package and $500 million for the High Speed Rail Authority.
  • $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Link in Victoria.
  • $586.4 million of additional funding for a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway to widen a 13-kilometre stretch through Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs.
  • $1.5 billion for upgrading important freight highways, sealing the Tanami, and upgrading Central Arnhem Road, as well as the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta highways in SA.
  • $540 million to upgrade Tasmania’s important road corridors, including the Bass Highway, the Tasman Highway and the East and West Tamar Highways.
  • $125 million funding to help build an electric bus network for Perth.
  • $120 billion pipeline of investment in transport infrastructure over the next 10 years. This includes $250 million to expand the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
• $24.7 million over 12 years from 2022–23 to support the preparation and conduct of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the oversight of infrastructure investment to support the delivery of the Olympics and the coordination of Australian Government operational guarantees.
• $1 billion for 2 new flagship programs that will drive regional development.
• $500 million to the Driving the Nation Fund to help reduce transport emissions, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure at 117 highway sites and hydrogen highways for key freight routes. The Government will also ensure its fleet purchases and leases will be 75 per cent electric by 2025.
• $1.2 billion in water infrastructure through its National Water Grid Fund
• $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop East in Melbourne and $500 million for planning and corridor works from Sydney to Newcastle for high-speed rail.

The Government have also highlighted their plan in the Budget to re-engage neighbouring countries includes the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership in order to work with Pacific island countries to build new climate resilient infrastructure.

Additionally, the Government is also expanding the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to allow it to more flexibly use $575 million of existing funds. This will help unlock a projected 5,500 new dwellings, drawing in institutional capital and accelerating housing supply.

Industry, Science and Resources

Following the Government Spending Audit, $506.4 million over 4 years is being redirected. Savings include $303.7 million over 3 years from 2022–23 for the partial reversal of the 2022–23 March Budget measure titled Boosting the Modern Manufacturing Strategy and Addressing Critical Supply Chain Vulnerabilities.

National Reconstruction Fund

• The Government will invest $15.0 billion over 7 years from 2023–24 to establish the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) to support, diversify and transform Australian industry and the economy through targeted co-investments in 7 priority areas: resources; agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors; transport; medical science; renewables and low emission technologies; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.

Resources

• $99.8 million over 3 years from 2022–23 for the Strategic Critical Minerals Development Program to support Australian critical minerals producers overcome technical and market access barriers.
• $50.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub to coordinate and align government, industry and academic research and development efforts in Australia and internationally
• $10.0 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to support research and development to advance new commercially viable projects for methane abatement in the resources sector.

Industry

$135.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to continue to support Australian industry to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities and upskill the manufacturing sector workforce. Including:

• $113.6 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support local industry:
  • $50.0 million to upgrade the Nyrstar Hobart zinc smelter in Tasmania.
  • $17.2 million for a pilot Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub in New South Wales.
  • $12.6 million to support Cytiva’s Springfield BioPark project in Queensland.
• $14.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to develop a National Rail Manufacturing Plan to ensure more trains are built in Australia.
• $6.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to help consumers choose ethically sourced Australian textile, clothing and footwear products
• $1.6 million over two years from 2022–23 to implement Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling to support the Australian seafood industry.

Science and Technology

• $47.2 million over 6 years from 2022–23 to support the development of talent and leadership in Australian science and technology. Funding includes:

Gas

• $65.7 million over 9 years from 2022–23 to support the supply of Australian domestic gas through increasing monitoring of the gas market and improving the Government’s ability to respond to changing market conditions.
• $40.9 million over 8 years from 2022–23 to increase the frequency of domestic gas supply assessments by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and implement reforms to the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism.
• $24.8 million over 8 years from 2023–24 to extend the ACCC’s inquiry into gas supply arrangements in Australia.

Education

Child Care Subsidy Reforms Integrity Package

• $47.7 million over 4 years from 2022–23 will be provided to the Department of Education to support a range of activities to help reduce fraud and non-compliance.

Cheaper Child Care

• $4.7 billion over 4 years from 2022–23 to deliver cheaper child care.

Consent and Respectful Relationships Education

• $65.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to invest in respectful relationships education to help prevent gender-based violence and keep children safe.

Youth Engagement

• $10.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to implement a new youth engagement model.

• $270.8 million over two years from 2022–23 to implement the Schools Upgrade Fund to provide grants to support capital works projects for upgrades to school equipment and to improve ventilation in classrooms.

Higher Education

• $15.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish the Startup Year program to deliver income contingent Higher Education Loan Program loans to up to 2,000 recent graduates, postgraduates and final-year undergraduate students per year.
• $491.8 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to boost higher education and strengthen Australia’s university system. Including:
• $485.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 for 20,000 additional Commonwealth supported places at universities and other higher education providers commencing in 2023 and 2024.

Student Wellbeing Boost

• $203.7 million over two years from 2022–23 to provide a funding boost to every Australian school to help address the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on student wellbeing.

Teacher Shortages

• $310.4 million over 9 years from 2022–23 to attract and retain high-quality teachers and improve student outcomes.

Indigenous Australians

First Nations Voice to Parliament

• $75.1 million over two years from 2022–23 to prepare for the delivery of a referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Constitution. Including:
• $52.6 million over two years from 2022–23 to the Australian Electoral Commission and other agencies to commence preparations and support work to deliver the Referendum.
• $16.1 million over two years from 2022–23 to the Australian Electoral Commission to increase First Nations enrolment and participation in future electoral events.
• $6.5 million over two years from 2022–23 to the National Indigenous Australians Agency to support the Referendum, including the establishment of a governance structure to support the special advisory groups that will engage with stakeholders and provide advice to Government.

Makarrata Commission

• $5.8 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to commence work on establishing an independent Makarrata Commission to oversee processes for agreement making and truth telling.
• $43.9 million over 4 years from 2022–23 for measures that support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap targets and improve early childhood outcomes for First Nations children.
• $50 million for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia.
• $14.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to partner with First Nations people and primary schools to teach First Nations languages and culture.
  
  

Social Services

• $49.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $15.6 million per year ongoing) for 100 additional Centrelink Workers in Far North Queensland.
• $217.7 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to abolish the Cashless Debit Card and commence transition to voluntary income management.
• $47.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support people living with a disability.
• $9.2 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to establish the Closing the Gap Housing Policy Partnership.
• $19.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to extend the Disability Employment Services program for two years to 30 June 2025.
• $73.2 million over 4 years to incentivise pensioners to downsize.
• $61.9 million over two years from 2022–23 to provide age and veterans pensioners a once off credit of $4,000 to their Work Bonus income bank.
• $69.6 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to increase the income threshold for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from $61,284 to $90,000 for singles and from $98,054 to $144,000 (combined) for couples.
• $5.3 million over two years from 2022–23 to improve outcomes for people with autism.
• $13.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $4.2 million per year ongoing) to develop a 10-year National Housing and Homelessness Plan in 2023.
• Additional funding of $15.0 million in 2022–23 for the Department of Social Services for continued implementation of the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, to process a greater than expected number of applications.
• $437.4 million over 3 years from 2022–23 for the NDIS to support people with disability and their families
• $12.7 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to the Department of Social Services to improve access to services that enhance community wellbeing. This includes playgroups and toy libraries and supporting free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness.
• $1.4 billion for local community, sport and infrastructure projects across Australia.

Employment and Workplace Relations

The Government will abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission and Provide Additional Resources for the Fair Work Ombudsman. This contributes to $61.1 million in savings over 4 years.

Skills and Training

• $12.9 million in funding over 3 years to establish Jobs and Skills
• $95.6 million over 9 years from 2022–23 to support 10,000 new energy apprenticeships.
• $9.6 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s workforce to transition to a clean energy economy with the New Energy Skills Program.
• $43.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $11.1 million per year ongoing) to update workplace laws to get wages moving, boost job security, address gender inequity and create more opportunities for Australians.
• $871.7 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to provide 480,000 fee-free Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and vocational education places in industries and regions with skills shortages
• $50.0 million over two years from 2022–23 to modernise IT infrastructure, workshops, laboratories, telehealth simulators, and other facilities at TAFEs across Australia.

Foreign Affairs and Trade

• $1.4 billion in additional Official Development Assistance over 4 years from 2022–23 to rebuild Australia’s international development program, re-establish Australia as a partner of choice in the region and enhance regional security and cooperation.
• $67.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $12.4 million per year ongoing from 2025–26) to expand and enhance the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
• $2.0 million over two years from 2022–23 to establish an Office of First Nations Engagement, headed by an Ambassador for First Nations Peoples
• As a result of its Spending Audit, the Government will improve quality of spending by redirecting funding from 2021–22 MYEFO and 2022–23 March Budget measures. This totals $213.3 million over 5 years from 2022–23 in relation to Foreign Affairs and Trade
• $2.2 million in 2022–23 to assist family members and first responders to travel to Canberra and Indonesia for events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.
• $147.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $23.9 million per year ongoing) to expand Australia’s engagement with Pacific partners and increase support to regional security priorities
• The Government will provide funding to support the development of key economic sectors in the region, with the financial implications not for publication due to commercial sensitivities
• $13.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to increase engagement with Southeast Asia
• $171.6 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support Australian trade and tourism
  
  

Attorney-General

• $59.9 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support the operations of the Australian Human Rights Commission, upgrade ICT infrastructure supporting Commonwealth prosecutions, and respond to the Optus data breach
• $99.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to support improved justice outcomes for First Nations peoples. Including:
• $81.5 million for justice reinvestment initiatives to be delivered in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

National Anti-Corruption Commission

• $262.6 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish and support the ongoing operation of the independent National Anti-Corruption Commission (the Commission). Including:
• $222.9 million over 3 years from 2023–24 for the Commission.

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

• $15.5 million in 2023–24 to continue to support the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to engage with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme

• $30.0 million in 2022–23 for the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

Home Affairs

Migration

• The Government will increase the 2022–23 permanent Migration Program planning level from 160,000 to 195,000. Priority will be given to offshore applicants and on-hand applications for the Skilled Independent visa – New Zealand stream.
• $175.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $80.3 million per year ongoing from 2026–27), to boost permanent migration to Australia by creating a new Pacific Engagement Visa for nationals of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. Up to 3,000 places per year.

Language

• $18.2 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish a Community Language Schools Grants program to support more young Australians to learn a second language.
• $20.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to provide more flexible delivery options for the Adult Migrant English Program and increase case management support to students.

Disaster resilience and support

• $630.4 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to strengthen Australia’s resilience to disasters.
  • up to $200.0 million per year from 2023–24 for the Disaster Ready Fund to co-contribute in support of resilience projects.
  • $30.4 million in 2022–23 to implement disaster resilience initiatives across 30 local government areas.
• $38.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to Disaster Relief Australia to expand its capacity to deliver disaster relief and recovery activities.
• $51.5 million in 2022–23 to support communities impacted by natural disasters
• $25.3 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to the National Emergency Management Agency for initiatives to improve insurance affordability and availability.
• $20.8 million over two years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s readiness to respond to drought events
  
  

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

• $204.8 million over 5 years from 2022–23 to support industry training, research and development to improve innovation and encourage sustainable and productive growth for Australia’s timber production.
• $134.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 (and $3.3 million per year ongoing) to bolster biosecurity capability in Australia and support neighbouring countries to address the risk of exotic animal diseases
• $4.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish an Inspector-General of Animal Welfare by expanding the functions of the office of the Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports to include animal welfare objectives for exported livestock
• The Government will improve quality of spending by redirecting funding from 2019–20 Budget and 2022–23 March Budget measures. This totals $47.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 in relation to agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
• $8.1 million over 3 years from 2022–23 to support commercialisation of seaweed as a low emissions feed and support projects that lower barriers to market entry.
  • The funding will support the establishment of the National Hatchery Network, policy reform, and priority research and development activities.

Further information

For more information, please contact Hawker Britton’s Managing Director Simon Banks on +61 419 648 587. Further Hawker Britton Occasional Papers on the activities of the Federal Government are available here.