The college is calling for GPs to have ‘equal treatment’ to non-GP specialists in the upcoming state election.
RACGP Victoria deputy co-chair Dr Aadhil Aziz called on political parties to commit to expanding GP scope of practice in areas like dermatology and progressing payroll tax reform.
He said allowing GPs to prescribe for severe acne, such as isotretinoin, would cut “ridiculous” wait times, high dermatologist costs, and the severe knock-on effects of delayed care – treatment GPs can “easily provide”.
“[GPs] manage every aspect of severe acne except this last step,” he told The Medical Republic.
In response, the Australian College of Dermatologists said isotretinoin is a high-risk medication that requires careful prescribing, ongoing monitoring and oversight by a specialist dermatologist to support safe and appropriate patient care.
“Given the potential risks associated with its use, it is important that patient safety remains central to decision-making,” the dermatology college said.
Funding medicines for children in foster and kinship care, who have greater health needs than their peers, would also close healthcare gaps caused by financial hardship, the college said.
“It’s something that’s been very close to our chair … [Dr Anita Muñoz’] heart,” he said.
Reforms to scale incentives and mentorship support for GPs who provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence (MAOTD) would strengthen access to lifesaving treatment and Victoria’s addiction medicine workforce, Dr Aziz said.
“We have a lot of doctors who are trained, but there is less uptake of MATOD patient treatment because they feel that Medicare rebates don’t adequately compensate for it,” he told TMR.
But Dr Aziz noted there were also doctors who feel unprepared to deliver MATOD treatment, which is where mentorship programs could guide and support newly trained GPs in the space.
Reinstating a Chief General Practice Adviser position – the last announcement being in October 2022 – would ensure GPs “a seat at the table” of government and health system policy, he said.
“We’ve been asking for these things for some time. In this being an election year, this is the time we felt it was appropriate,” Dr Aziz told TMR.
The college’s reasoning is that investing in these election priorities would not only solve today’s health problems but also prevent tomorrow’s.
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Dr Aziz also called for GPs to be exempt from payroll tax to help protect sustainable practice and affordable healthcare.
The Liberal and National Coalition have already agreed to abolish payroll tax on general practice by Christmas if elected, he said.
“Victoria is dubbed ‘the most taxed state in Australia’, and it is devastating small businesses,” he said.
Payroll tax was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”, leading to the closure of his own clinic, Dr Aziz said.
“The next Victorian Government must act now to strengthen general practice, or patients will pay the price,” the RACGP VIC deputy co-chair said.
With the announcement made this morning, the RACGP VIC has not yet received a response from either party regarding all election priorities, Dr Aziz said.
The final item on the college’s wishlist emphasised patient safety in the Chemist Care Now program, the state-funding pharmacy prescribing initiative.
“Victorians deserve healthcare reforms that are evidence-based, properly evaluated and focused on delivering safe, high-quality care,” Dr Aziz said.
The Victorian state election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026.
