Women’s Health Victoria Chief Executive Officer Sally Hasler said the renewed $9.2 million in 2026-27 for Victorian Women’s Health Services will help women access equitable health care supported by their local women’s health service, and support employment for hundreds of women working in the sector – many based in regional Victoria.
“The one-year extension of funding means the Women’s Health Service Network organisations will continue to provide health promotion and primary prevention work to improve women’s health, safety, economic participation and social inclusion. This investment in women’s health also reduces the long-term costs to the health system,” she said.
Women’s Health Victoria is a proud member of the network and looks forward to continuing our work with other women’s health services and the Victorian Government to future-proof women’s health in Victoria.
Ms Hasler said women looking to expand their family will also benefit from more than $70 million in investments through continued funding in public fertility services, the expansion of the Safe Births For Every Woman and Baby program, and the critical Syphilis in Pregnancy Program.
“It’s fantastic to see the budget include funding for the appointment of a Chief Midwife in Victoria to provide sector-wide leadership for safe maternity and newborn services,” Ms Hasler said.
“Recognising the importance of strengthening protections for people born with variations in sex characteristics, we’re also glad to see funding in this budget to support the implementation of the new Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025.”
We are also pleased to see funding for programs that support the mental health needs of vulnerable people and people affected by violence, including more than a million dollars for Sexual Assault Services Victoria, and almost $37 million for safe accommodation for family violence victim survivors.
Ms Hasler said First Nations health and wellbeing programs, led by First Nations people are also getting a boost, with more than $6 million in new funding in 2026-27 for the Wathaurong Dreaming Project in North Geelong, and The Nest Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Model.
“The investment is grounded in evidence. We know that health services designed and delivered by Aboriginal people produce significantly better healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal people,” she said.
Women’s Health Victoria is looking forward to seeing ongoing investment in services and supports to improve equitable access to health across Victoria.