Challenges posed to human health by climate change are significant and accelerating, with 2023 having been declared the hottest year on record. Climate change directly impacts human health, and increases both demand for health services and stress on the people and institutions providing those services. It is clear that action on climate and health is hugely beneficial for social, environmental, cultural and economic outcomes. However, these benefits can only be achieved with urgent and decisive action, and the funding to execute it. After over a decade of advocacy from the climate and health sectors, in August 2022, Health Minister Mark Butler announced the Labor government’s commitment to a National Health and Climate Strategy, and that the Strategy had the support of all state and territory Health Ministers.