Federal Health Minister Mr Mark Butler has retained his role as Minister for Health and Ageing, and additionally been appointed as Minister for Disability, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
He is now the Minister for Health and Ageing, and Minister for Disability and the NDIS.
To reflect the new super portfolio, the department has also had a name change and is now The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, updated from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Australian Prime Minister Mr Anthony Albanese reappointed Butler and announced the extra roles on 12 May 2025 when announcing his new cabinet and new ministerial arrangements.
Albanese said in a press conference that the NDIS was moving into health and, as well as Butler, NSW senator Ms Jenny McAllister would have ministerial responsibility for the NDIS but would not sit in cabinet.
“We’re trying to get everything in the right spot with the experience that we’ve had during our first term of government,” Albanese said.
“Mark Butler has a great interest in this area, has had an interest for a long period of time. Jenny McAllister is someone who has a capacity to have a great attention to detail, and that is precisely what’s required when it comes to the reform of the NDIS.
“We want to make sure the NDIS fulfils what its intention was – that everyone has the best opportunity to contribute to Australian society and that people with a disability don’t get left behind.”
Butler said he was honoured to have been appointed to the four positions.
“From Medicare to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), aged care to the NDIS, Australia’s systems of care and support are world leading and trail blazing,” he said in a media statement.
“Australians are rightly proud and protective of these important social institutions, which Labor governments have created and championed for decades. The Australian people have given the Albanese Labor Government a strong mandate to continue to build on and strengthen these institutions for the decades to come.”
Strengthen Medicare, secure the NDIS
Butler said Australians wanted to know they would receive the care and support they needed, when and where they needed it.
“Our task is crystal clear: to strengthen Medicare, protect the PBS, deliver generational reform to aged care, and secure the future of the NDIS,” he said. “Labor will ensure that these systems of care and support always put patients and people first.
“I look forward to delivering on that commitment alongside an exceptional team of ministers and assistant ministers and working closely with stakeholders in the sector.”
Other MPs and senators appointed to health roles are:
- Ms Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and Assistant Minister for Women.
- Ms Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
- Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- Mr Sam Rae MP, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.
- Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians.
- Mr Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Emergency Management.
- Mr Dan Repacholi MP, Special Envoy for Men’s Health.
Other appointments of specific interest to hearing practitioners include:
- Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business.
- Mr Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
- Mr Luke Gosling OAM MP, Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia.
Calls to act on Scope of Practice Review
Several bodies called for action on the Scope of Practice Review recommendations.
The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) welcomed Butler’s re-appointment, McBride’s as Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, and White’s as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.
NRHA chief executive Ms Susi Tegen said: “This returned Labor government can now act on the recommendations of key reviews undertaken in the last term of government. This includes the comprehensive Scope of Practice Review which looked at health professions and how to make the most of their skills and expertise.”
The Australian College of Nursing also welcomed the new ministry and CEO, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, said continuity in the leadership of the health portfolio, “provided an important opportunity to accelerate the health reform agenda that began during the government’s first term”.
“With a strong electoral mandate, it is now time to fast-track implementation of key initiatives, particularly the recommendations from the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review (the Cormack Review),” she said.
“The time to restructure the health system for the future is now. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to truly reform Medicare and the health system to ensure access to affordable, quality health services for generations to come.
“The Albanese Government has the blueprints for action including through the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, the impending National Nursing Workforce Strategy, and the Scope of Practice Review.
“With key Ministers returning to their portfolios, we look forward to seeing these plans translated into significant reform.”
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) also congratulated Butler on his reappointment as Minister of Health and Aged Care. RACGP president Dr Michael Wright welcomed the opportunity to continue collaborating to ensure everyone in Australia could access affordable general practice care, and with Butler in his new role as Minister for Disability and the NDIS.
“We look forward to working with Minister Butler and the Albanese Government to implement their election promises, including training more specialist GPs, and reshaping Medicare,” Dr Wright said.
Catholic Health Australia welcomed Butler’s re-appointment and the appointment of Rae as Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. CEO Mr Jason Kara said: “The returned government has an opportunity to strengthen the sustainability, fairness and effectiveness of our public and private health systems, and the vitally important aged care sector.”
ACAud inc HAASA welcomes reappointment, reaffirms regulation position
The Australian College of Audiology incorporating Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia (ACAud inc HAASA) congratulated the Minister Butler on his reappointment as Minister for Health and Aged Care.
“Minister Butler’s longstanding experience and deep understanding of the healthcare landscape make him well-positioned to continue advancing equitable and evidence-based health policies,” ACAud said in a media statement.
“ACAud looks forward to working collaboratively with the Minister and his department to support quality hearing care across Australia.
“As part of our ongoing policy development and consultation with government, ACAud also takes this opportunity to reaffirm its position on professional regulation in hearing health.”
The organisation said its position on regulation had evolved.
“ACAud has long advocated for the regulation of both audiologists and audiometrists to ensure consistent standards of care and public safety,” it said,
“As the clinical and regulatory landscape evolves, ACAud reaffirms its strong commitment to a single-tier regulatory framework for both audiologists and audiometrists. Our focus remains on delivering a regulatory system that is fair, effective, safe and future-ready—regardless of which organisation administers it.
“ACAud looks forward to constructive dialogue with the Albanese Government, industry stakeholders, and the broader health sector as we continue to advocate for reforms that enhance the accessibility and quality of hearing services nationwide.”
