Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison has promised to address rising debt but remain fair when he delivers his nation`s budget on Tuesday.
Infrastructure projects, health, education and housing affordability are expected to be high on the agenda.
The budget will be the first since PM Malcolm Turnbull`s government was re-elected on a tiny majority last year.
Mr Morrison has not said whether he still intends to return to surplus by 2021, a key pledge he made last year.
As Australia`s rising living expenses continue to outpace wage growth, the treasurer promised his budget would secure "better days" in the future.
"It is based on the principles of fairness, of security and of opportunity," he told reporters on Tuesday morning.
"The choice to ensure that we grow our economy for more and better-paid jobs."
Credit agencies have warned that Australia risks losing its triple-A rating if it does not address its deficit, which stood at A$36.8bn) in December.
What we know
The government has already announced key aspects of the budget, including building a second Sydney airport, increasing university fees by 7.5% by 2021, and lowering the salary threshold for university debt repayments from A$55,000 to A$42,000.
In other areas, the government will provide:
In addition to the university fee changes, the government is expected to raise revenue by targeting the tobacco industry and multinational tax avoidance.
Mr Morrison will unveil the budget, his second since becoming treasurer, in a speech to parliament at 19:30 (09:30 GMT).
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