RACGP urges incoming ACT Government to prioritise supporting access to GPs for Canberrans

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has congratulated the Barr Government on its historic election win and called on it to prioritise its election commitments to support access to GP care, including for ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and payroll tax changes. 

On Saturday, ACT Labor secured an historic seventh consecutive term of government. 

RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said: “I congratulate ACT Labor on winning another four years in office and call on the party to prioritise implementing its commitments to support access to essential GP care for Canberrans. 

“There’s no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history. And the best and most cost-effective investment to improve access to this essential healthcare for Canberrans is investing in existing practices.  

“We welcomed ACT Labor’s commitment to exempt GPs from payroll tax for bulk-billed services from 1 July 2025. This month, Queensland became the first state to commit to a full exemption for independent GPs from payroll tax, which will help make general practice care more affordable. While not going this far, the Barr Government is moving in the right direction. 

“The Government also committed to supporting increased scope for GPs, including diagnosing and treating ADHD – one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Empowering GPs to diagnose and treat patients will mean faster treatment and lower costs for patients. It will also ease the burden on the wider health system, and I look forward to working with the government on it.  

“We also know the ACT urgently needs to expand its GP workforce to meet growing patient needs, with an ageing population and rising rates of chronic illness – it has the lowest number of GPs per person of any capital in Australia.  

“And I urge the Government to prioritise its $4 million commitment to give more junior doctors the opportunity to experience general practice and support GP wellbeing and professional development. This will see more choosing GP training, because you can’t be what you can’t see – and it’s a good first step to boost the workforce, but more is needed. 

“Other jurisdictions have been offering incentive payments to get more GPs in training by removing the pay cut GP registrars take when leaving the hospital system and I strongly encourage the incoming government to do the same. We know these incentives work – Victoria saw an immediate boost in GPs in training after announcing a $40,000 incentive.  

“Access to high-quality and affordable GP care is essential to keep Canberrans healthy, and ease pressure on our hospitals and ambulances. I look forward to consulting with the ACT Government on what’s needed to ensure everyone in the ACT has access to this essential healthcare.”