Health Minister Sussan Ley has stood aside from her position on the front bench following an escalating scandal over her use of taxpayer funds to pay for flights and accommodation to the Gold Coast.

Ms Ley's expenses have come under scrutiny since it was revealed by News Corporation that she had spent $12,000 on a charter flight to attend the Pharmacy Guild's conference in 2015. She also purchased a $795,000 apartment with her partner during an official trip to the region.