The Budget outlook summarises the 2025–26 Budget and forward estimates for the general government sector, the public trading enterprise sector and the total Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government. The Budget will improve critical service delivery, particularly public health care, as well as invest in essential housing and infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Details of the projected 2025–26 Budget results are provided, as well as background information on the development of the Budget, including economic conditions and federal financial relations. It also provides an overview of the Territory’s infrastructure investment program and details of 2025–26 initiatives. 

The ACT is forecast to have experienced 28 years of consecutive growth in 2024–25, following strong growth in the previous year. It continues to experience a tight labour market with employment growth and workforce participation among the highest across all jurisdictions. 

The Wellbeing Framework assists Government in making investment decisions that contribute most strongly to the quality of life for people across Canberra and is now embedded as a core component of government policy development and budgeting. The Budget has been guided by the following wellbeing priorities:

• Physical and mental health – well-resourced and accessible public health services
• Housing – improving housing choice, access and affordability
• Cost of living – assisting communities with cost of living challenges
• Marginalisation and disadvantage – supporting Canberrans at risk of marginalisation and disadvantage
• Early years – supporting children to thrive in their early years
• Women – improving gender equality.