Nursing and midwifery groups for asking urgent Medicare reform in rural Australia
05 May 2026
The group, led by the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, says current Medicare and medicines policies are causing delays in diagnosis, breaking continuity of care, and leading to more avoidable hospital admissions in country areas.
They say these issues are not minor system problems, but real barriers affecting timely healthcare access.
In a joint statement and submission to a Senate committee, the organisations said current rules are placing extra pressure on already limited health services in rural Australia.
They argue that nurse practitioners, nurses and midwives are ready to help improve access to care, but need policy changes that allow them to work more effectively.
Adjunct Professor Chris Helms said existing policies are now directly affecting patient safety and access to care, especially in rural and remote communities.
He said delays in treatment and fragmented care are becoming more common due to funding and Medicare restrictions.
One major concern raised is the requirement for face-to-face consultations within 12 months for certain telehealth Medicare services, which the group says does not reflect the reality of rural healthcare, where telehealth is often the only option.
They also say nurse practitioner- and midwife-led services are excluded from some Medicare programs, including bulk billing incentives and certain rebates, which limits service delivery.
The group is calling for eight key changes, including:
- Reviewing telehealth rules for rural areas
- Allowing nurse-led services to access MyMedicare
- Expanding Medicare rebates to include nurse practitioners and midwives
- Improving access to diagnostic and procedural funding
- Including nurse practitioners in veteran pharmaceutical schemes
- Supporting chronic disease, mental health and maternity care through nursing services
- Ensuring all Medicare reforms are tested for rural impact
The organisations involved include nursing, midwifery, mental health, cancer, emergency, Aboriginal health, and rural health groups across Australia.
They say urgent reform is needed to make sure people in rural and remote areas receive safe and equal healthcare access.
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