New RACGP data finds that 99% of patients were able to see their GP when they needed to.
GP availability – or lack thereof – has been cited as a justification for programs like pharmacist-led prescribing, but a forthcoming RACGP report casts doubt on the idea that GPs are not accessible.
“Access to and interest in general practice has never been higher,” RACGP president Dr Michael Wright told The Medical Republic.
“As GPs, we want to work with these other providers, but fragmenting care isn’t going to make our job easier or make it easier for the patients to get the care they need.
“Supporting general practice really does get results because, by investing in general practice, we’re providing more care, training more GPs, and giving patients the access and the comprehensive care they need.”
The Health of the Nation report, which will be publicly released next week, found that 99% of patients were able to see a GP when they needed to, and that more people were able to see their preferred GP than in previous years.
Dr Wright said that there were still patients who were unable to see their preferred GP or who may have delayed seeing their GP due to cost, but that “ultimately that access is incredibly high”.
There were also more GPs, both in terms of full-time working GPs and in terms of GP training participants.
Related
In 2026, there were more applications for GP training than places funded by the federal government, and the number of doctors entering RACGP training rose from 1544 in 2025 to 1725 doctors in 2026.
“We’re seeing the number of GP trainees has gone up around 40% in the last two years, and what that’s meaning is that more GPs are working in communities all around the country,” Dr Wright said.
“And I think that’s where the access to GPs and GP services continues to increase.”
The report also found that 82% of practice owners nominated increasing business costs as a main challenge.
Dr Wright called on the government to continue investing in general practice.
“Governments must ensure investment in general practice keeps pace with the needs of patients and the realities of delivering care to communities with more chronic, complex illness, and more mental health concerns,” he said.
“General practice remains the most cost-effective part of Australia’s health system and the best investment governments can make in the health of individuals, families and communities.
“The future of general practice is bright, and sustained investment from the government will ensure every Australian can continue to access high-quality care from a GP who knows them and their history.”
