04 February 2026
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is the national peak body for health consumers and advocates for a health system that is safe, affordable, and accessible for all Australians. CHF is part of the broader health consumer movement and has almost 40 years' experience of working to put consumer needs and perspectives at the centre of health service provision and system reform. CHF takes no funding from industry, either from individual companies or industry groups, which allows it to be a strong independent voice for consumers.
CHF calls on the Commonwealth Government to prioritise three key investments in the 2026-27 Budget. These investments will deliver measurable impacts that align with government priorities and directly target healthcare access and affordability.
Fund implementation of the National Consumer Engagement Strategy, including consumer participation resourcing across the policy and program lifecycle (design, implementation and evaluation), capability development, and a measurement framework: $45 million over four years.
Fund priority oral health access schemes for older people, First Nations people and people on low incomes, and increase public dental service capacity as a first step towards universal oral healthcare: $15.7 billion over four years.
Fund a national Medicare community education program to strengthen consumer autonomy and build health system literacy: $10 million over four years.
These reforms are timely, nationally significant, and fiscally responsible. They will enhance equity, build consumer capability, and help ensure the health system remains responsive and sustainable. In a time of rising costs and widening health disparities, investing in these three key areas has never been more important.
