GP funding finally rises after years of slow growth
05 Feb 2026
While spending and GP numbers are rising, access per person is still below earlier peak levels.
Federal Government spending on general practice increased in 2024–25, with total funding reaching $13.4 billion. This is up from $12.7 billion the year before, after adjusting for inflation. The report shows this is the second year in a row that funding has increased, following a sharp drop between 2021–22 and 2022–23.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the increase is welcome and long overdue after nearly a decade of underfunding. He said it is important that this growth continues and reflects growing recognition of the value GPs bring to patient care and the wider health system.
Despite the rise in overall spending, funding per person was $488.90, which is still lower than the peak of $511.60 seen in 2020–21 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were also positive signs for the GP workforce. The number of GPs working in Australia rose to 40,375 in 2024, the first time it has gone above 40,000. This was an increase of more than 900 doctors compared to the previous year. Full-time equivalent GP numbers also increased, reaching nearly 30,000.
Dr Wright said it is encouraging to see both GP numbers and full-time work increasing, but noted there are still fewer GPs per population than before COVID. He added that more doctors choosing general practice gives hope for the future.
The report also showed a small increase in GP services per person and a drop in avoidable GP-type visits to emergency departments. Dr Wright said this supports the idea that when general practice is properly funded, it leads to better outcomes across the whole health system.
Source: Productivity Commission – Report on Government Services 2026
