Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2025-2026; Third Reading

Summary

These are spending bills that approve government funding for the 2025–2026 financial year. Appropriation Bill (No. 5) and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) together authorize the Australian government to spend money on its various departments, agencies, and programs — from defence and health to welfare and infrastructure. Without these bills, the government cannot legally spend taxpayer money. They don't change existing laws but instead allocate the budget amounts that Parliament has already decided on, ensuring government services can continue operating and paying staff, delivering services, and running programs throughout the year.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed