The Albanese Government will extend funding for free Heart Health Checks for another three years, aiming to catch the warning signs of cardiovascular disease early and save lives. The announcement, made by Health Minister Mark Butler on 29 May, reaffirms the government’s focus on prevention in tackling Australia’s most common cause of death.
Heart disease accounts for nearly 1 in 10 deaths nationwide and contributes to 6 per cent of the country’s total disease burden. Every day, 438 Australians are hospitalised due to coronary heart disease, according to the Department of Health. Despite these figures, many Australians remain unaware they are at risk, with conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol often going undetected without routine testing.
Since the programme began in 2019, more than 870,000 Australians have had a Heart Health Check. The initiative is open to anyone aged 30 and over and recorded more than 200,000 assessments last year alone. The check takes less than half an hour with a GP and includes a review of key risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, lifestyle choices, and family history. Based on the results, GPs can provide guidance on lifestyle changes or prescribe medication where needed.
Minister Butler described the initiative as Australia’s “best tool” for identifying individuals at risk before a more serious event occurs. “Heart disease is Australia’s biggest killer – one Australian has a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes,” he said. “About 2.5 million Australians have a high chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years, and many don’t know it.”
The announcement comes as general practitioners face increasing pressure to manage chronic disease with early detection. Heart Health Checks have been promoted by medical organisations such as the Heart Foundation and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, which have long advocated for greater access to preventative care.
The continuity of funding signals the government’s commitment to health interventions that catch illness before it becomes life-threatening. Unlike hospital-based treatments that follow a crisis, these checks allow doctors to work with patients to lower their risk—through diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and medication if necessary.
There is also a financial case for the programme. According to modelling from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, detecting and treating cardiovascular risk early can reduce long-term costs to the healthcare system. Previous estimates have found that every dollar spent on prevention in this space could return several dollars in saved hospital and pharmaceutical costs.
While the Heart Health Check has helped hundreds of thousands, uptake remains uneven across communities. Public health experts continue to highlight the need for targeted outreach in regional, Indigenous, and low-income populations, where heart disease risk tends to be higher and access to preventive care more limited.
This week’s announcement is expected to prompt a new round of GP outreach and public messaging to encourage eligible Australians to book their check.
The Albanese Government’s decision to extend the programme aligns with its broader focus on early detection and prevention, which includes recent reforms in cancer screening, mental health, and diabetes management.
For those aged 30 and above, especially people with a family history of cardiovascular disease, the message is clear: speak to your GP. The conversation may only take 30 minutes—but could add years to your life.
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