Monday, 25 May 2026
Australian Federal Budget 2026/27 | Limited new measures for diagnostic imaging
The 2026–27 Federal Budget focused heavily on cost-of-living relief, tax reform, housing affordability and strengthening Medicare, with limited new investment specifically targeted to diagnostic imaging services, ultrasound access or the sonography workforce.
While the Budget includes significant investment in public hospitals and medical research, there were no major announcements directly addressing diagnostic imaging services, sonographer workforce pressures or the issues raised in the ASA's pre-budget submission.
My Health Record expansion
The most significant announcement relevant to sonographers was $598.3 million over two years to support and enhance My Health Record, including system improvements linked to the Modernising My Health Record (Sharing by Default) Act 2025. From July 2026, diagnostic imaging and pathology reports will be uploaded to My Health Record by default to reduce duplicated testing and improve coordinated care.
Women's health and endometriosis
The Budget details further investment in women's health and endometriosis care pathways, including continued funding for endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics and complex gynaecological services.
Broader health investments
The Budget also announced:
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$25 billion in additional public hospital funding over five years (total $220.3 billion from 2026–27 to 2030–31), which may benefit hospital-based imaging departments
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$589 million for health and medical research through the Medical Research Future Fund, with total MRFF funding growing to $1 billion annually by 2030–31
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$1.8 billion to make Medicare Urgent Care Clinics permanent (137 clinics nationally)
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Continued investment in bulk billing, with the Government targeting nine out of ten GP services bulk billed by 2030
While these measures represent substantial health system investment, they do not directly address the diagnostic imaging workforce shortages, Medicare rebates for ultrasound services, or sonographer training and education.
ASA pre-budget recommendations
The Budget did not include funding for several ASA pre-budget recommendations:
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Specialised endometriosis ultrasound training for sonographers
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Extending Commonwealth Prac Payments to sonography students
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Rural and remote ultrasound workforce and Medicare access initiatives
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Medicare reform for obstetric ultrasound services
The ASA's submission highlighted growing demand for ultrasound services, workforce shortages - particularly in rural and remote areas - and the need for improved Medicare support for obstetric and specialised ultrasound examinations. Australians living outside metropolitan areas continue to face barriers accessing timely ultrasound services - an issue the ASA urged the Government to address through targeted workforce and Medicare reforms.
The ASA will continue advocating for workforce, education and Medicare reforms to support sustainable access to high-quality ultrasound services across Australia.
Relevant references:
• Budget Paper No. 2 – Budget Measures 2026–27
• Health Portfolio Budget Statements 2026–27
• Budget 2026–27: A stronger health system for all Australians