Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund

The fund was established in 2020 as part of the Victorian Budget 2020-21.

The key objectives are to assist eligible applicants to:

• meet compliance obligations
• reduce infrastructure risk and service interruptions/deterioration related to assets
• enhance service capacity and support contemporary models of care
• improve patient and staff amenity to meet current needs
• sustain and improve infrastructure assets that provide essential capacity to deliver responsive and appropriate clinical services
• further incentivise health services and agencies to implement effective asset management aligned with government frameworks and policies
• improve safety for patients and healthcare workers through reliable medical equipment
• sustain clinical service continuity and provide greater access for the care and treatment of patients
• support workforce attraction and retention.

The Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund aims to achieve the following benefits:

Improved models of care

The fund will enable health services and agencies to adopt new technologies and deliver contemporary models of care, improving the quality and safety of care for patients and staff.

Support growing demand

Metropolitan health services and agencies will have increased capacity to deliver healthcare. This enables patient to return home and get back to work, school, family or community life faster.

Stronger local economies

Construction and upgrades of metropolitan health services provide opportunities for local trades and businesses to undertake project-based work.

The expansion of public health services can also provide ongoing employment opportunities for medical and healthcare professionals and create employment pathways for younger generations.

Greater community support

The fund has dedicated funding categories for Aboriginal community-controlled health services and community health services. These services provide personalised and culturally sensitive care to local communities and can create hubs that encourage local health professionals to work collaboratively.

The 2023-24 funding round opened on 2 August and closed 27 September 2023.

All applicants will receive written notification of the outcome of their submission following completion of the assessment process. It is expected that outcomes will be communicated by late January 2024.

Full details regarding the funding round submissions can be found in the Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund – Guidelines with supporting information available via Frequently asked questions.

Eligibility criteria

A list of eligible health services can be found in Appendix 3 of the Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund - Guidelines.

The priority focus for this round is to assist eligible applicants to address ‘highest risks’. Capital funding is available for highest risk projects relating to regulatory, and quality and safety compliance.

These projects can include:

• Construction: minor infrastructure including replacement, reconfiguration, remodelling, and refurbishment projects (including minor extensions) to address aged building fabric etc.
• Non construction: engineering infrastructure and plant, standalone furniture, and fittings.
• Information and communications technology: building management systems and fire systems.
• New technologies: systems to reduce usage and increase efficiencies of power and / or water.
• Compliance related capital and /or upgrade works: AS4187 including pandemic improvement / readiness, fire, and life safety works.
• Medical equipment and associated building works.

Please note:

• Submissions with a primary focus or benefit relating to growing demand and service capability will be considered a lower priority.

Submission limits

Metropolitan health services

• limit of 2 submissions per health service
• individual submissions not to exceed $4 million
• if multiple submissions, specify the priority order (priority 1 or priority 2).

Community health organisations

• limit of 1 submission per organisation
• individual submissions not to exceed $250,000.

Aboriginal controlled community health organisations

• limit of 1 submission per organisation
• individual submissions not to exceed $300,000.

Projects funded through the Victorian Government’s Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund are administered by the Victorian Health Building Authority.

These projects are delivered by the public funded health service provider.