Role
In late 2024, we published the final reports from 4 significant reviews that made recommendations to strengthen Australia’s primary care system and health workforce.
The taskforce will bring together advice to government on an integrated primary care and health workforce reform agenda, considering the findings and recommendations of these reviews.
Reports
The relevant 4 key reports are:
Review of General Practice Incentives (Incentives Review)
A 9-member panel of experts in primary care developed the Incentives Review final report. The Incentives Review examined the incentive payments made to general practitioners and general practices by Medicare. This review considered whether funding systems are effective and support the patient-centred and multidisciplinary care that Australians will need into the future.
The independent review recommends a new general practice payment architecture to support multidisciplinary care. This includes increased investment from the Australian Government.
Review of After Hours Primary Care Programs and Policy (After Hours Review)
The After Hours Review examined the system that supports primary care services outside of usual general practice opening hours. This includes how to support Australians to get the care they need, when they need it, reducing demand on hospital emergency departments.
The review found 5 opportunities for improvement, including to:
- make after hours care more accessible and affordable for patients
- improve quality and safety
- improve integration of after hours care into our urgent care system to reduce pressure on emergency departments
- ensure the financial viability of after hours primary care providers
- support after hours primary care in regional, rural and remote areas.
The review found that the after hours primary care system is complex, fragmented and difficult to navigate.
Working Better for Medicare Review
The Working Better for Medicare Review examined how existing policies to attract and distribute the health workforce, including for regional, rural and remote areas.
Professor Sabina Knight AM and Adjunct Professor Mick Reid AM led the independent review. It makes 26 recommendations, including proposing changes to workforce distribution levers.
Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce (Scope of Practice Review)
The Scope of Practice Review examined the barriers and opportunities health practitioners face working to their full scope of practice in primary care. Professor Mark Cormack led the independent review. It found that almost all the nation’s health professions face restrictions and barriers in working to their fullest. Most restrictions are unrelated to their skills, training and experience.
Findings and recommendations from the Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme will also impact the work of the taskforce. Ms Sue Dawson is conducting this review.
Members
We established an expert panel comprised of representatives and individuals from across the primary care sector.
| Members | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Eliza Strapp (Co-Chair – ex officio) | First Assistant Secretary, Health Workforce Division, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care |
| Mark Roddam (Co-Chair – ex officio) | First Assistant Secretary, Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care |
| Annie Butler | Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation |
| Bronwyn Morris-Donovan | Chief Executive Officer, Allied Health Professions Australia |
| Dr Danielle McMullen | President, Australian Medical Association |
| Dr Dawn Casey PSM | Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation |
| Dr Elizabeth Deveny | Chief Executive Officer, Consumers Health Forum of Australia |
| A/Prof Fei Sim | President, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia |
| Dr Ged Foley | Chair, Primary Care Business Council |
| Prof Jenny May AM | National Rural Health Commissioner |
| Karen Booth | President, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association |
| Melanie Dunstan | President, Australian College of Nurse Practitioners |
| Dr Michael Wright | President, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners |
| Miranda Grace | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Association of Practice Management |
| Peter Breadon | Health Program Director, Grattan Institute |
| Dr Sarah Chalmers | President Elect, Rural Doctors Association of Australia |
| Dr Walid Jammal | General practitioner |
Meetings
The panel will meet monthly.
Have your say
The taskforce will consult with the health sector and key stakeholders as it considers the recommendations and findings of these reviews.
We will provide more information about consultation activities soon.
Contact
