Call for Stronger Support for GP Supervisors as Training Demand Grows
16 Apr 2026
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and other primary care groups are calling for better support and funding for clinical supervisors who train the next generation of GPs in Australia.
The call comes as concerns grow that supervisors are under-resourced despite playing a key role in GP training. Clinical supervisors help registrars learn while they are working with patients in real time.
James Brown said the quality of supervision has a major impact on how future GPs practise medicine.
He explained that registrars rely heavily on supervisors, especially in their first months of training, for both clinical guidance and emotional support in a challenging work environment.
A coalition of primary care organisations, including the RACGP, has urged the Government to formally recognise clinical supervision and provide proper funding.
The group says supervision work should be fairly paid, as it can take time away from normal patient consultations and affect income. It also says support is especially needed in rural and remote areas.
Dr Brown said supervision is often underestimated and treated as something that happens “on the fly”, even though it requires time, attention and responsibility during patient care.
He said supervisors are often interrupted during their own work and are not properly compensated for this role, even though they play a key part in safe training.
The coalition also highlighted the need for better systems, including space, staffing, and technology, to support effective supervision, especially when practices are busy.
Rural doctors are under extra pressure, as they often supervise while also working across different healthcare settings, including emergency care.
Dr Brown also said changes in general practice ownership, with more corporate-run clinics, can make supervision less financially rewarding for some doctors.
The group says supervision should be properly supported so practices are not left out of pocket for training doctors.
The statement was also backed by several organisations, including the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, General Practice Registrars Australia, General Practice Supervision Australia, and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.
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