With healthcare a key focus in the lead-up to the Federal Election, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is seeking clarity on how proposed commitments will deliver equal access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says bipartisan recognition of the urgent need for healthcare investment is encouraging, but further details are needed to ensure these commitments translate into real outcomes.
“Rural, remote, and First Nations communities deserve the same standard of care as those in urban areas,” Dr Martin says.
“We look forward to understanding how these commitments will bring tangible benefits for patients and support sustainable funding models to keep general practices viable.
“Investment in the Rural Generalist training pipeline is a positive step,” Dr Martin says, “but expanding access remains crucial.
“In our 2025-2026 Pre-Budget Submission, ACRRM calls for increased funding to grow our flagship Rural Generalist pathway,” he says.
“With more than 80 per cent of ACRRM Fellows remaining in rural areas five years post training, our training program provides the best return on investment for developing a long-term, highly skilled rural doctor workforce.
“Over the past two years, our training places have been oversubscribed, and this trend is set to continue.
“The Albanese Government is committing to 2000 training places from 2028, and we want to see at least 500 of these earmarked for ACRRM.
“The Coalition has also committed to addressing health workforce shortages in regional and remote areas, and we look forward to further details on how this will apply to ACRRM.”
Dr Martin also acknowledges commitments from both parties to reform bulk billing but warns that changes must support patients, as well as rural and remote doctors and practice owners, who often face higher service delivery costs.
“The Liberal Party has acted quickly to match Labor’s bulk billing incentive commitments, but we need to ensure that both parties’ funding structures genuinely support sustainable, high-quality care where it’s most needed,” he says.
“ACRRM has long advocated for restoring the value proposition for rural general practice. In rural and remote areas, practice costs can be high due to staffing, resources, and distance. Many rural practices rely heavily on bulk billing, yet Medicare funding is often insufficient to sustain services.
“With incentives on the table to increase bulk billing, we need detailed modelling and assurance that these changes will strengthen rural practices rather than put them at a disadvantage.”
Dr Martin says ACRRM welcomes the opportunity to work with all parties to ensure rural and remote communities receive lasting benefits.
“We invite leaders and health ministers from all parties to engage with the College to discuss how these policies can deliver real outcomes.”
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says bipartisan recognition of the urgent need for healthcare investment is encouraging, but further details are needed to ensure these commitments translate into real outcomes.
“Rural, remote, and First Nations communities deserve the same standard of care as those in urban areas,” Dr Martin says.
“We look forward to understanding how these commitments will bring tangible benefits for patients and support sustainable funding models to keep general practices viable.
“Investment in the Rural Generalist training pipeline is a positive step,” Dr Martin says, “but expanding access remains crucial.
“In our 2025-2026 Pre-Budget Submission, ACRRM calls for increased funding to grow our flagship Rural Generalist pathway,” he says.
“With more than 80 per cent of ACRRM Fellows remaining in rural areas five years post training, our training program provides the best return on investment for developing a long-term, highly skilled rural doctor workforce.
“Over the past two years, our training places have been oversubscribed, and this trend is set to continue.
“The Albanese Government is committing to 2000 training places from 2028, and we want to see at least 500 of these earmarked for ACRRM.
“The Coalition has also committed to addressing health workforce shortages in regional and remote areas, and we look forward to further details on how this will apply to ACRRM.”
Dr Martin also acknowledges commitments from both parties to reform bulk billing but warns that changes must support patients, as well as rural and remote doctors and practice owners, who often face higher service delivery costs.
“The Liberal Party has acted quickly to match Labor’s bulk billing incentive commitments, but we need to ensure that both parties’ funding structures genuinely support sustainable, high-quality care where it’s most needed,” he says.
“ACRRM has long advocated for restoring the value proposition for rural general practice. In rural and remote areas, practice costs can be high due to staffing, resources, and distance. Many rural practices rely heavily on bulk billing, yet Medicare funding is often insufficient to sustain services.
“With incentives on the table to increase bulk billing, we need detailed modelling and assurance that these changes will strengthen rural practices rather than put them at a disadvantage.”
Dr Martin says ACRRM welcomes the opportunity to work with all parties to ensure rural and remote communities receive lasting benefits.
“We invite leaders and health ministers from all parties to engage with the College to discuss how these policies can deliver real outcomes.”