Australia now has a clear and transparent picture of its GP workforce and training landscape, following the launch of the Royal Australian College of GPs' (RACGP) inaugural National GP Workforce Insights Report.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the "groundbreaking" report gives policymakers and the College insight into what is needed to secure Australia's future GP workforce, and access to high-quality general practice care for everyone in Australia, regardless of their postcode.
"This is the first time the Royal Australian College of GPs has drawn together data across the entire GP training system to understand where the GP national workforce is heading, and where there are shortfalls," he said.
"This groundbreaking report gives policymakers and the RACGP insight into what is needed to secure Australia's future GP workforce, and the evidence to shape workforce policy, including funding and training decisions – not just for now, but over the next decade and beyond."
Launched at the College's annual nationwide general practice conference, GP25, the report confirmed that:
- a large share of the GP workforce is approaching retirement years, with more than four in 10 GPs now aged over 55
- many communities outside of major cities rely on GPs in training. Registrars represent three times the share of the general practice workforce in regional, rural, and remote areas (16%) as in metropolitan areas (5%)
- greater funding will allow GP supervisors to train more GPs. Around 60% of accredited GP supervisors were not actively training a registrar in 2025, with supervisor capacity greatest in metropolitan and outer-metropolitan areas.
Concerningly, Dr Wright said the report shows a potential shortage of GPs if more is not done to secure Australia's future general practice workforce.
"Without the right type of action, many communities, particularly in rural and remote areas, won't be able to access timely and affordable care," he said.
However, the RACGP President noted that recent investments, such as the Federal Government's $600 million plus commitment in the 2025–26 Budget to better support and incentivise GP training, are already beginning to pay dividends.
"Eighteen-hundred training places are funded for 2026, a 13% increase on this year, and 1900 places funded in 2027, a 6% increase from 2026," Dr Wright said.
"We're making strong headway, but it's important that we keep growing the Australian General Practice Training [AGPT] Program to ensure that all Australians can access a GP who knows them, now and into the future."
