As Australia approaches the federal election, various healthcare proposals have been introduced. We have put this information together with the aim to inform patients about these initiatives and address common misconceptions.
1. Strengthening Medicare
Proposal: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an $8.5 billion investment in general practice funding, closely matched by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s $9 billion pledge. Prominent slogans such as “9 out of 10 GP visits to be free” and “you should only need your Medicare card, not your credit card” have been widely promoted.
Clarification: These promises, though popular in the media, have been criticised as misleading and unfeasible by health professionals. Our position aligns with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): the suggestion that most practices can become “100% bulk billing” to access this funding is unrealistic given current funding models and rising cost pressures.
Medicare has been underfunded for over a decade. According to the RACGP, the funding gap for just one consultation item (Item 23, a 6 to 20-minute consultation) between 1993 and 2022 is estimated at $8.6 billion. This figure illustrates the significant underinvestment in general practice and highlights why slogans alone cannot solve the structural issues affecting primary care.
Whilst we support additional funding for Medicare, we are concerned that the current proposal is only designed to benefit short consultations and quick medicine. Medicare fees do not increase proportionately for time of consultation, and we strongly believe that longer consultations should be encouraged and appropriately remunerated through Medicare.
2. Expansion of Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs)
Proposal: The Federal Government has announced plans to establish an additional 50 Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) across Australia to offer walk-in, bulk-billed care for urgent (but not life-threatening) issues.
Clarification: The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics Program Evaluation – First Interim Report (released 27 March 2025) revealed that the average cost per UCC visit is $246.50. In contrast, a standard general practice consultation (Item 23) attracts a rebate of only $42.85, the amount a GP receives from the Government for providing care.
This means that each UCC visit costs taxpayers nearly five times more than a traditional GP consultation. These findings raise questions about the cost-effectiveness of UCCs, especially when existing general practices, which provide continuous and comprehensive care, could be strengthened instead.
UCCs play a relatively new and critical role in reducing the burden on an overwhelmed public health care system, particularly within our emergency departments. Our concern is that UCCs are resulting in fragmented patient care whereby patients are attending numerous clinics for their routine healthcare needs, which is not their intended role. We are strong advocates for life-long patient relationships and believe that models of care that support continuity with the same doctor and/or clinic are beneficial for the community at large.
3. Modernising Medicare
Proposal: In contrast to the Government’s proposals, the AMA is advocating for significant reforms to Medicare to better support patients with complex and chronic health needs. A key component of this is the restructuring of GP consultation item numbers to enable longer, more comprehensive appointments – ensuring patients receive the time and attention required for quality care. As summarised in the AMA’s campaign: “Modernise Medicare – Longer Consults, Smaller Out-of-Pockets.”
Clarification: We support the AMA’s plan, which recognises that Medicare must evolve to meet the demands of modern healthcare. Investing in longer, better-funded consults to managing multiple or chronic conditions is critical to delivering personalised, preventive care that keeps patients healthier and reduces reliance on our already overwhelmed hospital systems.
4. Enhancing the GP Workforce
Proposal: The RACGP has released a plan aimed at halving out-of-pocket costs for patients by increasing Medicare funding for traditional GP services, delivering 6.2 million additional bulk-billed consultations annually and expanding training opportunities to increase the number of specialist GPs, particularly in outer-metro and rural areas.
Clarification: We support the RACGP’s proposal, which focuses on making general practice more affordable and sustainable for both patients and providers. Strengthening the GP workforce is essential to meeting future demand and ensuring that care remains accessible, continuous, and community based. As the RACGP puts it: “There’s no substitute for the care you get from a GP who knows you and your history. This high-quality healthcare is essential, and everyone deserves affordable access.”
Conclusion
While recent healthcare proposals offer promising changes, it’s essential for patients to stay informed and understand the implications of each initiative. Your general practitioner remains your most trusted partner in navigating the healthcare system – offering personalised, continuous care that is tailored to your unique health needs. Maintaining this relationship is key to achieving the best possible health outcomes.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following resources:
- True extent of poor Medicare indexation revealed: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/true-extent-of-poor-medicare-indexation-revealed
- RACGP’s Plan for More GPs and Lower Fees: https://www.racgp.org.au/gp-news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/february-2025/peak-general-practice-body-launches-plan-for-more
- Evaluation of Urgent Care Clinics: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/first-urgent-care-clinic-evaluation-released
- AMA’s Modernise Medicare Campaign: https://www.ama.com.au/modernise-medicare/for-australia
This information is provided for educational purposes and reflects the latest available data as of 7 April 2025.