Pressure on overstretched emergency departments and hospital services will continue to worsen unless the ACT Government delivers targeted, high-impact general practice investment in the 2026-27 ACT Budget, The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has said.
Releasing its 2026-27 ACT Prebudget Submission, RACGP ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, said the Territory's small geographic size allows for strategic, focused investment that can deliver outsized benefits across the entire health system.
"The ACT's health system is under real strain, from chronic disease, population growth, hospital demand and workforce shortages," she said.
"General practice is the most efficient and effective part of the health system to invest in. With targeted support, we can expand access, improve prevention, ease pressure on hospitals and deliver better care closer to home.
"Every one of these initiatives delivers better outcomes for patients and relieves pressure on hospitals. By investing in general practice, the ACT Government can build a healthier, more resilient community and a sustainable health workforce for the future.
"The ACT has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in best practice primary care. With the right investment, we can reduce pressure on hospitals, build a sustainable GP workforce, and ensure every Canberran can access timely, high quality care."
The RACGP submission is closely aligned with the ACT Health Services Plan 2022–2030, focused on building a sustainable GP workforce, improving afterhours care, strengthening integration between primary care and hospitals, and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of nurse led models.
Key funding recommendations
Support Fellowship exam fee affordability to grow the GP workforce
The RACGP is calling for an $80,000 ACT Exam Fee Subsidy Program to reduce financial barriers for GP registrars, who can face up to $4,000 per exam.
"Supporting registrars early leads to more GPs for the ACT later," Dr Hoffman said. "Exam affordability is a practical, immediate way to ease financial pressure on the next generation of GPs."
Invest in GP supervision to train and retain Canberra's future GPs
A $6.275 million investment is needed to expand GP supervision capacity through:
- protected teaching time
- practice support payments
- registrar retention incentives.
"Without enough supervisors, we cannot train the next generation of GPs. This investment is essential for long-term workforce sustainability," Dr Hoffman said.
Strengthen after‑hours general practice to relieve pressure on overcrowded EDs
With ACT emergency departments facing ongoing demand, the RACGP is calling for a $4 million package including:
- after-hours GP Expansion Grants
- GP led urgent care sessions
- integration with Healthdirect and the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Information Service (ADIS)
"Expanding afterhours general practice is one of the most effective ways to ensure patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time," Dr Hoffman said. Evidence shows that afterhours GP services can reduce low acuity ED presentations by up to 18%."
Commission an Independent Review of Nurse-led Walk-in Centres
The RACGP is calling for a $200,000 independent review to assess the safety, quality, governance and system integration of these Walk-in Centres.
"We need clarity on whether these Centres are delivering safe, effective care and how they fit within the broader primary care system. A transparent, independent review will ensure the model is genuinely meeting community needs," Dr Hoffman said.
Embed GPs in Canberra's hospital system to reduce waiting lists
A $3.05 million investment would support:
- GPs with Special Interests (GPwSIs)
- GP Liaison Officers (GPLOs).
These roles reduce unnecessary outpatient referrals, improve discharge pathways, strengthen clinical communication and support community-based management of chronic and complex conditions.
Expand vaccination programs to protect Canberrans through winter
A $23 million immunisation package would fund:
- intranasal influenza vaccines for children
- RSV vaccination for older adults
- meningococcal B vaccination for babies and adolescents.
"These programs would reduce preventable illness and lower winter hospital demand," Dr Hoffman said.
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