By redirecting billions from the Suburban Rail Loop, the Victorian Liberals promise 2,000 new acute beds and a 90% 40-minute ramping target within two years of taking office.
Where the money comes from
The Victorian Liberals' comprehensive health reform package centers on redirecting massive infrastructure spending from the Suburban Rail Loop East project, which has escalated to $38-42 billion, into acute healthcare delivery. By canceling $9 billion in un-awarded SRL contracts and reclaiming the $2.2 billion federal contribution, the Opposition proposes the largest hospital infrastructure investment in Victorian history.
The first $3.5 billion would immediately fund the Melton Hospital (274 beds), alongside expansions at Mildura, West Gippsland, and Wodonga hospitals—all projects shelved in Labor's 2024 Budget cuts. This represents a fundamental reordering of state infrastructure priorities from transport capacity expansion to health system strengthening during a period of acute medical workforce shortages and capacity constraints.
Liberal Health Investment Plan
Funding allocation and timeline
Beyond hospital construction, $750 million annual recurrent funding would boost nursing ratios and fund paramedic overtime until ambulance ramping targets are achieved. The Liberals argue this sustainable funding model addresses both infrastructure deficits and operational challenges that have plagued Victoria's health system.
- $3.5bn immediate hospital funding: Melton, Mildura, West Gippsland, Wodonga projects prioritised
- $750m annual workforce investment: Nursing ratios, paramedic overtime, medical training expansion
- $2.2bn federal contribution: Commonwealth SRL funding redirected to acute care infrastructure
- Regional focus: Priority on outer-metropolitan and rural hospital capacity expansion
ED transfer within 40 min: 2019-2024 vs 2027 target
Current 65% vs ambitious 90% Liberal target
Ambulance ramping targets & actions
The centerpiece of the Liberal health plan commits to restoring 90% of ambulance transfers within 40 minutes by FY 2027, a dramatic improvement from the current 65% performance in 2023-24. This ambitious target would require unprecedented coordination between ambulance services and emergency departments, supported by dedicated infrastructure and staffing investments.
The strategy includes opening 550 rapid-transfer bays across 15 emergency departments, embedding hospital-based paramedic offload teams to accelerate patient handovers, and legislating a public 'real-time ramping dashboard' similar to Queensland's successful QAS tracker system. These measures aim to eliminate the bottlenecks that currently strand ambulances at hospital entrances for hours.
Ambulance ramping solutions and infrastructure
The Liberal ramping strategy combines dedicated infrastructure with operational reforms to eliminate ambulance delays at emergency departments. These evidence-based solutions draw from successful interstate models and focus on rapid patient handover processes.
- 550 rapid-transfer bays across 15 EDs: Dedicated paramedic-led handover zones to accelerate patient transfers and reduce ambulance delays
- Hospital-based offload teams: 24/7 nursing staff dedicated to ambulance handovers and rapid patient triage systems
- Real-time ramping dashboard: Public transparency system tracking ambulance wait times at every major emergency department
- Performance accountability: Hospital executives' bonuses tied to ambulance transfer targets and ED wait time improvements
Timeline for the 2,000 new beds
The Liberal hospital construction timeline spans four years, beginning with Melton Hospital stage 1 delivery (274 beds) in 2026-27 alongside 180 modular surge beds at Northern, Sunshine, and Monash hospitals. This front-loaded approach aims to provide immediate capacity relief in Melbourne's highest-pressure emergency departments.
By 2028, major regional expansions at Mildura base hospital and the West Gippsland rebuild would add 400 combined beds, addressing rural healthcare access gaps. The timeline concludes in 2030 with Wodonga hospital expansion and a new outer-east 'Box Hill 2.0' satellite facility contributing 450 beds, while 700 additional beds emerge through ward refurbishments across the existing hospital network.
Cumulative acute beds delivered 2026-2030
Progressive capacity expansion reaching 2,000 beds by 2030
Health Plan Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
The Victorian Liberals' health plan represents a fundamental reorientation of state infrastructure priorities, trading long-term transport capacity for immediate healthcare delivery improvements. While the ambitious targets and timelines face implementation challenges, the proposal addresses genuine community concerns about ambulance ramping and hospital bed shortages that have reached crisis levels.
Success depends on effective project management, workforce recruitment, and sustainable recurrent funding beyond the initial capital investment. The plan's appeal lies in addressing visible health system failures while generating substantial employment in construction and healthcare sectors, though critics question whether canceling major transport projects delivers optimal long-term economic outcomes for Victoria.