New $12 Million rural health construction and equipment boost

Within the first 53 projects: $533,000 will be provided to improve access to dental care in outback Emerald (QLD) and $275,000 to the Nganampa Health Council to replace ageing equipment in a mobile dental surgery used in remote South Australia.

There will be further funding announcements under the first round announced in due course. 

The NRRHIP was funded under the 2008-09 Federal Budget and will provide $46 million over four years for rural and remote communities, and strategic planning for small rural private hospitals.

The infrastructure program will improve access to health services by funding projects in rural and remote communities where a lack of infrastructure is a barrier to the establishment of new health services, or the enhancement of existing health services.

The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program is a competitive grants program and is a result of the Labor Government’s election commitment to reform the more limited former Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund.

Further information on the program, including who can apply and funding information, is available from www.health.gov.au/internet/main.publishine.nsf/Content/nrrhip-lp