Is the GP gender pay gap growing? New questions raised

Is the GP gender pay gap growing? New questions raised

01 May 2026

Concerns are rising again about the gender pay gap among GPs, with questions being put to the Federal Government about whether recent policy changes may be making it worse.

At a recent National Press Club event, a journalist asked if measures like the expanded triple bulk-billing incentive, urgent care clinics, and the removal of some mental health items could be widening the gap. Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said he had not seen clear data, but agreed that female GPs often spend more time with patients.

He noted that women GPs tend to handle more mental health cases and complex conditions, which usually take longer. In response to earlier concerns about access to longer consults, the Government introduced a Level E consultation (over 60 minutes) in 2023, which he said is relatively well funded, especially with bulk-billing incentives.

When asked if the Government is reviewing how recent changes affect the pay gap, the Minister’s office did not give a direct answer and instead referred back to his earlier comments.

Recent research highlights the issue. A study by Ochre Health found female GPs earn over $24 less per consulting hour than male GPs. The latest RACGP Health of the Nation report also showed female GPs spend about three minutes longer per patient on average.

RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said the gap is real and linked to how the system rewards shorter, faster consults. She explained that female GPs often provide longer, more complex care, which means fewer patients per hour and lower overall earnings.

Dr Raman also raised concerns about the removal of certain mental health items from the MBS, saying this change may have hit female GPs harder, as they provide a large share of that care.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the pay gap has been an ongoing issue and is becoming more noticeable as patient care grows more complex. He said increasing Medicare rebates for longer consultations is one key way to address the problem.

The Department of Health also pointed to a current review by the MBS Review Advisory Committee. This review is looking at whether time-based consultation items are still fit for purpose and if they reflect modern general practice, including bulk-billed services.

The Government acknowledged that women are more likely to both need and provide longer consultations, and said this will be considered as part of the review. Recommendations are expected to go out for public consultation later this year.

It remains unclear whether the Department is currently tracking how recent policy changes are affecting the gender pay gap. 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: newsGP

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