The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on the next South Australian Government to make a landmark investment by establishing a South Australian Centre of Excellence in Neurodiversity, a first of its kind initiative designed to deliver faster, fairer, and more holistic care for neurodiverse people of all ages.
The call comes as part of the RACGP’s 2026 South Australian election policy platform, launched today.
A growing number of South Australian patients and families are seeking care for neurodiverse conditions including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, intellectual disability, learning disorders, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Yet thousands of South Australians continue to face long wait times, fragmented services and significant out-of-pocket costs for diagnosis and ongoing care.
RACGP SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson said the time for decisive action is now.
“Too many South Australians are waiting far too long for the care they need,” Dr Goodson said.
“A Centre of Excellence in Neurodiversity would bring together GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, and allied health professionals under one roof, delivering coordinated, multidisciplinary care that simply doesn’t exist at scale today. Outreach clinics and education will help to ensure patients in our regions can also access care.
“This is an investment that will change lives. It will reduce pressure on hospitals, improve early intervention, and ensure every neurodiverse person, regardless of their circumstance, can access high quality, holistic support.
“Patients deserve holistic care that encompasses all neurodiverse conditions. All South Australians, regardless of their circumstances, should have fair and equitable access to high-quality care for neurodevelopmental disorders.”
The RACGP is calling for a $20 million commitment to establish the Centre, which would provide assessment, diagnosis, management and ongoing support for neurodiverse South Australians of all ages.
As part of the 2026 South Australian election platform, the RACGP is also urging the next Government to invest in a targeted support package for international medical graduates (IMGs) to ensure South Australians can access timely care across the state.
To ensure South Australians can access timely care across the state, the RACGP is also urging the Government to invest in a targeted support package for international medical graduates (IMGs).
South Australia has one of the lowest GP-to-population ratios in the country, with chronic disease and an ageing population driving demand for more complex care. While record numbers of early career doctors are entering GP training, immediate workforce relief is essential, particularly in rural and regional communities.
The RACGP is proposing:
- $800,000 to develop peer support and relocation programs for IMGs
- $2.8 million per year for GP attraction grants to encourage overseas-trained doctors to live and work in South Australia.
Dr Goodson said IMGs are critical to stabilising the state’s primary care workforce.
“International medical graduates bring enormous skill and experience to our health system, but they need structured support to relocate, train and settle in South Australia,” she said.
“With the right programs in place, we can attract more GPs to the areas that need them most and reduce waiting times for patients.
The RACGP emphasises that investment in general practice is the most cost-effective way to reduce preventable hospitalisations and ease pressure on emergency departments.
Every dollar spent in primary care returns an estimated $1.60 in system‑wide benefits, yet general practice receives only a fraction of the funding directed to hospitals.
“There is simply no substitute for high quality general practice care delivered by a GP who knows you and your history,” Dr Goodson said.
“These proposals will strengthen our workforce, improve access and deliver better outcomes for South Australians.”
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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the peak representative organisation for general practice, the backbone of Australia’s health system. We set the standards for general practice, facilitate lifelong learning for GPs, connect the general practice community, and advocate for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.
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