With the Federal election less than a month away, new data shows that healthcare has significantly grown as a decisive issue especially in crucial marginal seats that will determine the shape of the new parliament.
The national poll commissioned by healthcare communications firm London Agency and conducted by Resolve Political Monitor suggests that the Albanese Government is gaining voter confidence on healthcare, a key issue ahead of the 2025 federal election. London Agency has been tracking the importance of healthcare to voters since September 2024 and these latest insights underscore the prominence of the issue.
The survey, which included responses from 1,614 Australians from 26th to 28th March, found that healthcare is ‘very important’ to around 60% of voters, second only to cost of living concerns, which are starting to subside following the RBA rate cut and March’s Federal budget focus.
Noticeably, the Albanese Government’s series of major healthcare announcements has paid dividends with voters. Among marginal seat voters, 39% now believe Labor is best placed to manage healthcare, up from 27% in January. Similarly, among soft voters, those less firmly aligned with a party, Labor’s support has grown from 28% to 33%. In contrast, support for the Coalition in these groups has declined: from 33% to 25% among marginal voters and from 28% to 23% among soft voters.
This shift appears to be linked to recent government policies aimed at reducing healthcare costs, including expanded bulk billing incentives for GPs and a reduction in the PBS general patient co-payment. These measures have likely contributed to a growing association between healthcare affordability and broader economic concerns in the minds of voters.
The percentage of Australians who believe the Albanese Government has improved health outcomes has also risen, from 33% in January to 37% in March, suggesting increasing recognition of policy impact.
Importantly, nearly half of all respondents (49%) continue to say that government investment in healthcare will influence how they vote. This indicates healthcare remains a powerful electoral issue, particularly for undecided and swing voters.
Voters are increasingly viewing the Opposition as reactive on healthcare policy rather than proactive. This is no surprise, given the Coalition has promised to match ‘dollar for dollar’ Labor’s plan to make GP visits cheaper and Labor’s $25 prescription medicines pledge. However, agreeing to match these high-cost policies has left them with little room to define their own distinct healthcare agenda.
London Agency Managing Director John Emmerson said the findings underscore a clear message to both major parties: healthcare policy matters.
“Voters are paying attention not just to promises, but to practical investments in access to services, medicines, and medical technologies.
“With the election approaching, continued focus on health policy, from both sides, will likely play a decisive role at the ballot box.”
The question will be if Labor can keep this momentum on healthcare going. The budget leaves little room for election spending, with just $1.52 billion set aside in the ‘decisions taken but not yet announced’ category, significantly less than previous pre-election budgets.
“With major healthcare commitments already outlined in the Budget and limited room for new election spending, the opportunity now lies in smart, low-cost policies that deliver real outcomes,” said Emmerson.
Resolve founder Jim Reed echoed the call that healthcare remained a burning issue in Australia and will remain so at the ballot box.
“Even though this is being billed as a cost-of-living election following the budget, half of our respondents tell us that health investment will influence their vote choice.”
“Health policy has been linked to living costs through bulk billing and PBS medicines policies.”
“It looks as though the government’s policy announcements in health have paid off, with gains on people agreeing that they have improved health outcomes and Labor being viewed as best to manage healthcare.”
