Latest updates

Construction is expected to start in late 2026, following completion of land acquisitions and approval of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, with Stage 1 expected to be delivered in 2031.

Overview

The people of Cairns deserve a world-class health system and services closer to home. The new Cairns Hospital Master Plan includes a more than $1 billion investment to expand and modernise the hospital, and deliver improved weather and cyclone resilience, education and research facilities.

It will include much-needed bed capacity and surgical services at Cairns Hospital, making it easier for Queenslanders to get the care they need.

Investment in the hospital campus will also strengthen the region as a hub for clinical excellence, education and innovation, which will help attract, retain and incentivise skilled clinicians.

The Hospital Rescue Plan will deliver:

64 new overnight beds by 2027
A health management hub
New Health Innovation and Surgical Centre including 4 new operating theatres, 16 day-surgery spaces, 40 overnight beds and specialist outpatient department, as well as clinical trials, simulation and collaboration spaces
A new cyclone-rated rooftop helipad on the existing Block D
Expansion of support services such as medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, sterilising and kitchen
A new staff multi-storey carpark with around 950 spaces and adjacent to existing Cairns Hospital facilities

Key:

Delivered

Being delivered

The failed Capacity Expansion Program (CEP)

$378 million cost blowout
No plan to deliver the surgical centre
No funding or site for a car park
Costs increased so significantly that only the refurbishment elements could be delivered
The Hospital and Health Service was not adequately consulted on the surgical centre
The project did not address the helipad relocating from the esplanade which is one of the highest clinical and safety priorities.

Project images

Diagram showing the Cairns Hospital expansion with existing buildings in white and a new helipad tower highlighted in orange.
Artist impression of the Cairns Hospital Expansion

Latest news

  • Cairns Hospital is expanding

    We’re growing to meet the needs of our community. The $181 million Cairns Hospital Expansion Project will deliver 64 additional beds, including two new 32-bed wards.

Last updated:   April 2026

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