Primary Care ‘Undervalued and Underfunded’ Around the World
05 Mar 2026
The study calls for governments in Australia and other wealthy nations to rethink how primary care is funded to make it sustainable, fair, and effective.
The study looked at six high-income countries: Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. It found that despite an ageing population and rising rates of chronic conditions, many countries spend less than 6% of their health budget on primary care. Australia spends 6%, New Zealand 5.4%, and the US just 4%.
The research highlights that GPs face a rising administrative burden from regulations and managing electronic health records, including emails and patient inboxes.
Professor Claire Jackson, former RACGP President and one of the study’s authors, said current payment models focus on short 6–10 minute consultations rather than the longer appointments needed to manage complex chronic conditions.
The study recommends that governments make a robust and sustainable investment in primary care, including:
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Adequate funding and resources
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Coordinated, system-wide funding approaches
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Support for GP-centred, team-based care
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A sustainable and engaged workforce
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Technology that supports, rather than fragments, care
Professor Jackson said rising rates of chronic illness, mental health issues, and preventable conditions are putting enormous pressure on GPs. She also noted that Australia currently lacks structured incentives for preventive healthcare under Medicare.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the study supports calls for urgent increases in funding for general practice. “It’s not just about changing funding models – it’s about providing more funding to deliver high-quality, team-based care,” he said.
The research warns that without action, underfunded primary care could lead to greater strain on hospitals and an unsustainable health system.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: RACGP / University of Queensland
