RACGP urges government to boost GP workforce after new data predicts significant shortfalls

Australia’s peak body for general practice and GP training is doubling down on calls for government to invest in growing the GP workforce after new data forecast significant shortfalls. 

On Monday, the Department of Health and Aged Care's GP workforce report showed Australia already has a shortage of up to 2460 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) GPs. It predicts this shortage will grow to up to 5560 FTE GPs nationally by 2033, and up to 8,908 by 2048. 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said: “The Government’s predicted shortfall of GPs is deeply concerning but not surprising.  

“It is why the RACGP called on the Federal Government to invest to attract and train more GPs in the last Budget. 

“Since 1 February 2023, the RACGP has been responsible for training 90% of Australia’s GPs through the Government’s Australian General Practice Training Program. And our approach is working. In just 12 months we have placed 114 GP registrars into communities that hadn’t had one for many years. 

“We know what works and we can do more, but we need the Federal Government’s support to do it.  

“As the peak body for general practice and GP training, the RACGP continues to call for the barriers to GP training to be removed – primarily the loss of work entitlements and pay cut they’re forced to take when they choose to leave hospital and enter private practice.  This can be fixed immediately by funding an incentive payment and basic work entitlements, including parental and study leave.   

“It’s also important to recognise Australia is experiencing a whole primary care workforce shortage – including severe shortages of nurses and pharmacists. And there is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history. Replacing one workforce with another is not an option.”