Movember calls for $70 million investment in men's health to stop men dying too young

Movember's call to action

Movember is excited to announce the launch of our inaugural Australian Election Platform, which urgently calls for a $70 million investment in men’s health to support the Australian Government's National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 - a comprehensive framework designed to drive positive health outcomes for Australian boys and men.

Despite its promise, the Strategy has yet to deliver meaningful improvements in men’s health, due to chronic underfunding over its first 5 years. Proper investment is urgently needed, so Movember has pledged $10 million of the required funds as an initial commitment. We're eager to partner with the next Federal Government to tackle the systemic barriers that leave Australian men unsupported and at risk.

The proposed $70 million investment will fund evidence-based programs that are proven effective in improving physical and mental health outcomes for boys and men, helping to ensure the National Men’s Health Strategy can deliver on its promise of reducing preventable deaths and improving health outcomes for Australian men and boys.

Investment priorities

Movember’s call for investment in the National Men’s Health Strategy over the next four years includes:

• $53 million over four years to cultivate grassroots community programs that target and tackle men’s health and wellbeing issues, benefitting communities across the country.
• $11.5 million over four years to support the national rollout of training programs for health professionals, equipping them to better reach, respond to and connect with men.
• $5.5 million over four years to fast-track research and continue building the knowledge base so we can better understand the relationship between men’s health, masculine norms, healthy relationships, and issues like violence.

This proposed $70 million investment will help create a stronger, more responsive healthcare system, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for men, their families, and communities across Australia.

Improving health outcomes for Australian men

This urgent call for investment is crucial to addressing the staggering rates of premature death and poor mental health that continues to disproportionately impact Australian men. In 2023 alone, 36,000 men and boys died prematurely - a loss that remains overwhelmingly preventable. These deaths, including more than 2,400 suicides, have devastating effects on families, friends, and entire communities, underscoring the urgent need for systematic reform and adequate investment to reach, retain, and respond to Australian men in all their diversities and needs.

The call for investment is based on findings from the 2024 Real Face of Men’s Health Report, delivered by the Movember Institute of Men’s Health. The report reveals that two in five Australian men (37%) die prematurely before the age of 75, despite concerted efforts to lift the profile of men’s health. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men aged 15-54, and over two-thirds of Australian men report facing barriers to accessing healthcare, leading to disengagement from essential health services.

On 18th November, Movember launched its 2025 Australian Election Platform at an event hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at Parliament House, urging all political parties and candidates to commit to this urgent $70 million investment. The event featured speeches from Movember Director of Policy & Advocacy, Jeremy Phillips-Yelland and prominent ambassadors, alongside an exclusive performance by ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Dan Sultan.

This commitment amplifies the call to stop men dying too young and support healthier men, healthier relationships, healthier families and healthier communities.