RACGP calls for stronger mental health support in rural Australia
10 Oct 2025
The RACGP’s 2025 Health of the Nation Report shows that 71% of GPs now identify mental health concerns as a top reason for patient visits, up from 10% in 2017. RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said Australia is in the middle of a mental health crisis and more must be done to ensure patients, including those in remote areas, can access care.
In its updated position statement, Provision of mental health services in rural Australia, the RACGP outlines barriers such as a lack of mental health specialists, limited support services, and insufficient rebates for longer GP consultations.
Proposed solutions include:
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A 40% increase to MBS rebates for longer consultations and a 25% increase for mental health items.
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Decoupling GP Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) items from the Better Access Initiative and doubling the session limit to 20 consultations per year.
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Commitment from governments to strengthen the rural primary health workforce, with GPs central to mental health care.
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Expanding community-based training rotations through the RACGP Pathways to Rural program.
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Funding to address GP shortages in rural areas via the Fellowship Support Program and Practice Experience Program – Specialist, including support for international medical graduates.
Associate Professor Michael Clements, RACGP Rural Chair, emphasised that GPs deliver the majority of mental health care nationally, especially in regional and remote areas where they are often the only available healthcare providers.
He said decoupling FPS consults from psychologist-led Better Access care would allow patients 20 Medicare-subsidised mental health consultations per year, doubling current access.
Dr Wright also stressed the importance of higher rebates for longer consultations, noting that complex mental health care cannot be rushed. “Medicare currently encourages ‘six-minute medicine,’ and this must change,” he said.
The RACGP is urging coordinated action by federal, state, and local governments to boost the GP workforce in rural areas through incentives such as housing, childcare, and spousal employment, making rural practice more sustainable and attractive.
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
