Budget delivers health services for Central Queensland

• 2025-26 Budget delivers $95 million to establish a new Health Sciences Academy in Rockhampton to train the next generation of regional health workers.
• The Academy will help fast-track Years 10-12 students into careers as doctors, nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals in regional Queensland.  
• The Budget also delivers $50 million for two new Step-Up, Step-Down services, including one at Rockhampton.   

The Crisafulli Government’s 2025-26 Budget is delivering easier access to health services for Central Queensland, with $95 million to build the new Health Sciences Academy to train the next generation of health workers, a Step-Up, Step-Down service for Rockhampton and Master Planning for upgrades to the Rockhampton Hospital.  

The Health Sciences Academy will provide students in Years 10 to 12 with the opportunity to pursue their passion for healthcare through vocational education, training opportunities, and tertiary pathways. 

This will enable aspiring doctors, nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals to get a head start by gaining knowledge and skills in their chosen health career, while they complete their secondary schooling close to home. 

This investment will create the first regionally-based Queensland Academy, helping secure a pipeline of skilled health workers in the regions. 

The Crisafulli Government’s 2025-26 Budget includes a $50 million investment in two new youth Step-Up, Step-Down services - with the first one to be delivered in Rockhampton - to support vulnerable young Queenslanders in need of assistance.  

The facility is just one of the projects to be delivered under the Hospital Rescue Plan and will provide short-stay, intensive mental health treatment and support for young Queenslanders closer to home.   

The Hospital Rescue Plan also delivers more than $36 million to fund the new Cardiac Hybrid Theatre at the Rockhampton Hospital, delivering easier access to health services.  

Master planning for the redevelopment of the Rockhampton Hospital will also be completed under the Hospital Rescue Plan, including across the facilities extended at the vacated Central Queensland University city campus site on Canning Street – delivered under an agreement secured by the Crisafulli Government.  

The Budget also funds a major boost to health workers for Central Queensland, growing health workers to 3,736 full time employees to help heal Labor’s Health Crisis.  

Premier David Crisafulli said the record health Budget delivered a fresh start for Central Queensland. 

“We are delivering a fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan to provide Central Queenslanders with easier access to health services with a new Step-Up Step-Down youth mental health service, a new cardiac hybrid theatre for the hospital and planning for the future redevelopment of the hospital,” Premier Crisafulli said.  

“To secure the health workers for Central Queensland’s future, a new Health Sciences Academy will be built in Rockhampton, helping to fast-track young people into health careers.  

“We are determined to deliver the next generation of health professionals - including nurses, doctors and paramedics – that Central Queensland needs by developing their skills right here at home.”  

Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the Government was delivering easier access to health services for Central Queensland.