The 2018-19 Federal Budget is an opportunity for the Government to make eye health and vision care an important focus for the new financial year.
On Tuesday 8 May, Treasurer Scott Morrison delivered his third federal budget, with a focus on tax cuts and boosting aged care. The benefits for Australians who are blind or have low vision, and initiatives for preventing vison loss and promoting eye care were not immediately obvious.
The budget revealed funding for the NDIS is guaranteed and the government has committed some funds to closing the gap in vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, however, funding for overseas aid has declined.
For more, please see our budget blogs below for critical information about how the budget impacts our sector.
Blog Articles
- Uncovering hidden gems in the Preventive Health and Chronic Disease Support Package
- Welcome boost to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Eye Health, but more is needed to Close the Gap
- Supporting eye health and vision care in the More Choices for a Longer Life Package
- New lows in Australia’s aid expenditure
Budget Media Releases
- Funding Boost for Disability Employment Services
- Government commits to fully funding the NDIS for people under 65
- Welcome investment in Indigenous eye health
Responses from our members
- Optometry Australia: Our reaction to a bland Federal Budget
- The Fred Hollows Foundation: Aid cuts fail the world’s poorest
- CBM Australia: Australian aid budget freeeze leaves our region’s most vulnerable out in the cold
- NACCHO: Will the budget improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians?
- Norvatis: Norvartis Australia welcomes the Turnbull Government’s continued budget commitment to medical innovation and research