In its submission the College identified four strategic Budget priorities:
- RRR training: Continuing the successful Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) program to support the provision of emergency care across Australia’s regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities.
- Research: Establishing a dedicated, long-term funding stream for emergency medicine research.
- Aged care: Prioritising Federal Government investment in aged care capacity, in-reach and transition-of-care models to improve hospital flow, reduce bed block and prevent avoidable ED presentations for older Australians.
- ED violence: Seeking national leadership and action to address the escalating crisis of violence and aggression directed at healthcare professionals.
ACEM President Dr Peter Allely said that ongoing funding for emergency medicine training in RRR areas was vital in ensuring all people could access safe and equitable emergency care no matter where they live.
“Almost one-third of Australians live in RRR areas, where health outcomes are poorer,” Dr Allely said. “Many RRR EDs have reduced capacity to manage high-acuity presentations, trauma and major incidents.
“ACEM’s EMET program provides invaluable specialist-led education, training and supervision, structured training pathways and locally tailored training aligned to community need.
“However, EMET is only funded until the end of 2026. Ongoing funding of EMET and additional funding for five extra training hubs is needed to meet increased demand.”
Dr Allely said that a dedicated federal funding stream for emergency medicine research was also a priority to help address rising ED presentations. Between July 2024 to June 2025 there were more than 9.1 million ED presentations across Australia - the highest ever recorded.
“Despite ED presentations accounting for over 10 per cent of all clinical encounters in Australia, in 2025 only 0.4 per cent of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding was awarded to projects in the field of emergency medicine research,” Dr Allely said.
“Australia needs a National Emergency Medicine Research Foundation providing a dedicated national funding stream to support emergency medicine research success stories, such as the award-winning EDNA Network and Pneumothorax Trial and the world-leading BUCKLED and PEAChY-O trials, to build on our country’s tradition of emergency medicine research innovation,” Dr Allely said.
“Projects like these have already demonstrated the ability to reduce hospital costs and improve patient flow.”
ACEM welcomes the Commonwealth announcement of $115 million to expand residential aged care beds in four high-need regions - Adelaide, Perth, the Illawarra and the Hunter - as a good start to reduce bed block, however more funding is required.
“The systemic underinvestment in primary care, GP services, and residential and community-based aged care is driving bed block, delayed discharge and patient harm,” Dr Allely said.
Older people already account for around one quarter of all ED presentations and present with significantly higher acuity than younger populations. As of 12 December 2025, 3049 older Australians were currently stuck in public hospitals waiting for a placement, at a cost of well over $1 billion per year.
“Without sustained Commonwealth investment in aged care capacity and clinical support, pressures on EDs, ambulances and inpatient services will continue to worsen.”
The College also called for federal action on the issue of violence in EDs.
“Violence in EDs is a national workforce safety failure,” Dr Allely said.
“ACEM is calling on the Commonwealth to provide the national leadership necessary to support ED safety as a core health system priority. This includes collecting and reporting on national data, transparency and accountability for ED safety, creating a nationally recognised, trained and embedded ED security workforce, and initiating reforms aimed at preventing violence against healthcare workers.”
“By addressing these critical areas, the Federal Government can ensure that EDs across Australia are not only prepared for current pressures but are future-proofed for the challenges ahead.”
Click here to download ACEM’s 2026-27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission