GPs Take Patient Rebate Demands to Canberra
03 Mar 2026
On Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country at Parliament House, the college explained why better funding is needed so GPs can spend more time with patients, especially those with complex or chronic health conditions.
The RACGP was joined by 20 peak medical bodies and advocacy groups, including Parkinson’s Australia, the Stroke Foundation, Dementia Australia, and Diabetes Australia. Together, they delivered an open letter to federal politicians, urging support for improved access to care.
The college is asking for a 40% increase to Medicare rebates for long GP consultations (Level C and Level D), as appointment times rise and current funding has not kept up. With average GP appointments reaching 20 minutes in 2025, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright says the increase is “well overdue.”
Dr Wright said the event is an important opportunity to highlight the value of GPs in Australia’s healthcare system. “If patients can’t access the care they need from their GP, conditions can worsen, complications can arise, and pressure on hospitals increases,” he said.
The advocacy also emphasised reducing out-of-pocket costs, so patients needing longer consultations can be bulk billed or face lower expenses. Independent MP and GP Dr Sophie Scamps welcomed the push, saying general practice is “the cornerstone of healthcare” and highlighting the importance of high-quality care for chronic and complex conditions.
The RACGP’s upcoming 2026–27 pre-Federal Budget submission also calls for reforms to:
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Reduce patient costs and improve access, especially for complex care
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Establish an independent pricing authority to ensure Medicare rebates reflect the true cost of providing care
Dr Wright said funding reforms are essential to support GPs caring for more than 15 million Australians with chronic conditions, across cities, regions, and remote communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
“People with complex conditions need more time with a GP who knows them. But currently, longer consultations can reduce the per-patient Medicare rebate, making care less accessible,” he said.
The open letter asks federal politicians to publicly back the RACGP’s call for a 40% increase in Medicare rebates for longer consultations, helping GPs provide the high-quality care Australians need.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: RACGP / newsGP