Building a strong economy and health system following COVID-19
Since March 2020, the NSW Government has committed about $56 billion for COVID-19 health, economic and social response, recovery and reform measures. This includes Australian Government contributions and covers both expenditure and revenue commitments. As at November 2022, the NSW Government had delivered about $27.8 billion to support the health system in responding to COVID-19 and to build strong foundations for recovery in the economy, including more than $11 billion in support to businesses and community through the Delta outbreak.
Since the 2022-23 Budget, a number of COVID-19 economic recovery programs have concluded, including the Parents NSW and Stay NSW vouchers and the Al Fresco Rebate program. In total, $179 million in payments were made through these programs to businesses in highly affected sectors, aiding their recovery.
At the same time as promoting a strong economy, the NSW Government has supported the health system to manage the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain services. The 2022-23 Budget provided $4.5 billion over four years to recruit an additional 10,148 full-time equivalent staff, including 3,800 in regional areas. This includes nurses and midwives, doctors, paramedics, pathologists and scientific staff, pharmacists and allied health professionals, as well as support and ancillary staff.
Building on this support, the Half-Yearly Review provides a further $676.5 million in 2023-24 including:
- $612.5 million in 2023-24 to address pressures associated with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19
- $60.0 million in 2023-24 ($139.0 million over three years to 2024-25 in new and existing funding) to deliver new or enhanced urgent-care services
- $4.0 million in 2023-24 ($16.0 million over four years to 2026-27) to increase the availability of paediatric respite and hospice facilities.
