By Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

TAXPAYERS will fork out $392.5 million to support the nation’s response to COVID-19 and pay for vaccines and treatments.

The multimillion-dollar commitment over four years was revealed in the mid-year budget update released on Wednesday.

On top of the vaccine and treatment program, $317.4 million is being set aside to continue helping aged care providers manage the virus and protect older Australians in residential facilities.

The pandemic event visa, which allowed people to remain temporarily in Australia if they were working or had a job offer, will be closed at a cost of $1.5 billion.

In the budget update, the government expects the measure will decrease receipts by $2 billion and decrease GST payments to the states and territories by $450 million over the next five years.

Any pandemic visa applied for from September 2, 2023 will only be valid for six months and will cost $405.

The visa will be closed to all applicants from February 2024, with a staged closure planned to give people enough time to make alternative visa arrangements, or leave Australia.

The government will spend $27.3 million to extend the end date for the receipt of claims under the COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme to the end of September 2024.

Doctors and healthcare workers will be provided with an extra $3.8 million until June 2024, to undertake telehealth consultations and evaluate whether patients are suitable for oral antivirals.

New cancer initiatives, including the Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, and other existing options will be funded under a $184.9 million commitment to ensure people battling the life-threatening condition have access to high-quality care.

Mental health services will receive a much-needed boost under a $483.7 million package.

This includes extending national crisis and support services Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline and 13YARN.

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