RACGP calls for higher Medicare rebates for longer GP appointments
13 Nov 2026
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pushing for higher Medicare rebates for longer GP appointments as the Federal Government considers changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
In a submission to the MBS Review Advisory Committee (MRAC), the college has called for better funding for longer and more complex consultations, improved access to care for vulnerable patients and protection against funding cuts if existing Medicare items are changed or removed.
The RACGP supports 16 of the committee’s 23 recommendations in principle, while supporting the remaining proposals with conditions or suggested changes.
The review, released for public consultation in September, aims to improve the current Medicare system for time-based GP consultations.
The college supports updating and simplifying MBS consultation items but says changes must not create problems for patients or general practices.
It believes Medicare rebates should better support comprehensive and ongoing patient care. The RACGP is also calling for a 45% increase in Level C and D consultation rebates to help achieve bulk-billing rates of 85%.
According to the college, the current payment structure favours shorter appointments, even though longer consultations often involve more complex medical needs. GPs receive less funding per minute for longer appointments, despite the additional time and work involved.
The RACGP has also warned that removing condition-specific Medicare items must not lead to an overall reduction in funding for general practice.
The college wants fee-for-service payments to remain the main funding model for general practice, while allowing other funding approaches that support better patient care.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said time-based consultation items account for more than half of GP appointments, making them essential to the financial sustainability of general practice.
He said Medicare rebates have not kept pace with the growing complexity of patient care, particularly as the population ages and consultations become longer.
Dr Wright also referred to the college’s modelling, which suggests a 45% increase in Level C and D rebates could improve access to longer consultations without adding costs for patients, particularly those managing chronic and complex conditions.
The RACGP is also calling for a formal review after any changes are introduced. This should assess the impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and communities in areas with lower socioeconomic conditions.
If existing MBS items are removed or changed, the college wants the funding allocated to those services to remain within general practice and be redirected towards patient care.
Dr Wright said the MRAC review provides an opportunity to address long-standing concerns about the gap between Medicare rebates and the complexity of care delivered by GPs.
The RACGP has also raised the need for higher rebates in its 2026–27 pre-budget submission and has welcomed the opportunity to work with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on the proposed changes.
Once public consultation closes, the review recommendations will be presented to the Australian Government for consideration.
RACGP calls for higher Medicare rebates for longer GP appointments
Source: RACGP (newsGP) – MBS Review Advisory Committee submission and RACGP advocacy updates.