$300 GP Training Incentive Ends Soon! 30 June
18 Jun 2025
The last chance for GPs to receive reimbursement to complete the Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Decision Support Tool (DST) training is quickly approaching, with the once-off $300 incentive payment ending on 30 June this year.
The option of locally delivered training, both face-to-face or via Zoom, will also end on 30 June, with the completion of an Australian Government initiative to expand the use and uptake of the IAR-DST.
Use of the IAR-DST continues to be encouraged, and national training will continue to be available online for primary care providers – including GPs, GP registrars, allied health and other health service providers – who may refer someone to a mental health support service.
How you currently access training
- access mixed learning by joining the online workshop: Initial Assessment and Referral Training – South Western Sydney PHN Online Workshop One | National IAR Training Use access code: swsphn. Once you have successfully completed workshop one, you will be given the opportunity to register for workshop two which is delivered via Zoom on 15 and 26 May and 19 and 24 June at 12pm, and 20 May and 5 and 11 June, from 7am to 8.30am
- access two-hour live training by visiting the CPD Calendar on the SWSPHN website and registering for a workshop on 2 June at 6pm
- access a two-hour workshop via Zoom on 3, 13, 19 and 26 June. Download the flyer to register or learn more. July training dates – 4, 10, 16, 30 July – are now available. Download the flyer to register or learn more. Please note no reimbursements will be made for the July training
How you will access training in the future
An eLearning module for clinicians will be available in the next financial year.
The eLearning module is being developed by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) and the University of Melbourne.
The University of Melbourne will coordinate eligibility for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the development process. GPs and GP registrars will not receive the incentive payment for undertaking this training.
We will provide more information on the eLearning module when it becomes available.
CPD hours will continue to be awarded
In addition to the $300 once-off incentive payment available for training undertaken before 30 June, CPD hours (one Educational Activity hour and one Reviewing Performance hour) will continue to be awarded until 31 December 2025.
About the IAR
How the IAR tool helps
SWSPHN commissions a range of services across the stepped care spectrum to meet the mental health needs of our community.
These include: low-intensity services, psychological therapies, specialised services for children, young people, people with severe mental illness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, among others.
The IAR-DST is designed to assist the various parties involved in the assessment and referral process to ensure:
- patients are guided to the option which best meets their needs, and has the least burden on them and the health system
- resources are targeted to where they’re needed most and that those resources are used effectively
Ultimately, the IAR will help streamline referral pathways and improve service visibility.
How it works
An initial assessment is used to gather information from the referrer and patient. The assessment is undertaken across eight domains which aim to describe clinical severity and service needs, and guide decisions on the most appropriate next steps (for example, intervention, further assessment).
Find more information by downloading:
Why you should do the training
The IAR-DST, an initiative of DoHAC, is a nationally consistent, evidence-based and objective approach to initial assessment and referral of patients seeking mental health support.
All federally funded mental health services will soon be using the IAR-DST, standardising how referrals are made and making it less likely your referrals will be refused.
Given GPs are often the first contact point when a mental health issue emerges, it is important to ensure you are prepared for the change and are supported in implementing the IAR tool into your daily practice.
The training includes an introduction to IAR; orientation to the domains, levels of care and the decision support tool; information on clinical judgement and supported decision-making; and a practical activity using case studies to the IAR in referral, assessment and intake settings.
How do GPs access the tool?
DoHAC is working on digital integration of the IAR-DST into general practice software.
Currently, general practices can access the tool through the:
or
or
GP Referral Template, which is compatible with their software, which they will be given after completing the training. The IAR-DST is included in this template.
Find out more
If you have any questions, please email iar@swsphn.com.au