RACGP Pushes for Child Health Checks and Higher Medicare Rebates Ahead of Federal Budget

RACGP Pushes for Child Health Checks and Higher Medicare Rebates Ahead of Federal Budget

05 May 2026

The college says it wants every child under five to receive a free annual one-hour developmental health check with their regular GP. It is asking for $20 million in 2026–27 and $160.4 million over four years to support the program, which it says would help identify developmental delays earlier and improve long-term health outcomes.

The RACGP also supports linking these checks with the “Thriving Kids” initiative, which aims to provide early support for children with mild to moderate developmental delays and reduce pressure on the NDIS.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said early health checks in the first years of life are crucial, arguing that GPs are best placed to identify concerns and coordinate care before problems become more serious.

Alongside child health measures, the RACGP is also calling for a 40% increase in Medicare rebates for longer GP consultations (Level C and Level D). It says this would improve access to care and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Other proposals include funding for an independent primary care pricing body, new Medicare rebates for iron infusions, increased support for GP training supervisors, and more investment in rural workforce programs.

The college is also seeking funding for preventive health research and a national tool to better monitor and address racism in primary healthcare.

Overall, the RACGP says these measures would strengthen general practice, improve early intervention, and deliver better long-term health outcomes across Australia.

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

Source: newsGP / RACGP

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