Queensland Invests $1.436 Billion to Add 96 Hospital Beds in Cairns

The Queensland Government has committed over $1.436 billion to the Cairns and Hinterland Health and Hospital Service, including a 10.6 per cent funding increase and an initial $60 million for the new Cairns Health and Innovation Centre. A separate $1 billion masterplan for the Cairns Hospital Expansion will add 96 beds and modernise facilities, with construction projected to finish in 2031.

New mental health centres and stepped care changes

Two Medicare Mental Health Centres are being established in Cairns and Far North Queensland with $14.3 million in combined federal and state funding. The Cairns centre is scheduled to open in the coming months while the second centre is due in 2026. From 1 July 2024 northern Queensland's mental health Stepped Care service model added eight new offerings, including the Head to Health Phone Service and Journey Coordinators, to improve access and coordination for local residents.

A purpose-built specialist outpatient clinic for respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis conditions opened at Cairns Hospital on 22 December, providing expanded access to care for Far North Queensland residents. These measures directly affect daily health services used by people living in Cairns and surrounding areas.

Local service impacts

Residents seeking mental health support can now use the expanded Stepped Care options and upcoming Medicare centres without travelling outside the region. Hospital patients will eventually benefit from additional beds once the masterplan is complete. The new outpatient clinic already allows Far North Queensland residents to attend specialist appointments for respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis care at Cairns Hospital.

Further changes to services are expected as the remaining mental health centre opens in 2026 and construction on the hospital expansion continues toward its 2031 completion date. Funding details are drawn from Queensland Government statements and related public announcements.