Health Minister Mark Butler is moving to expand PBS access to GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy for obesity treatment. Currently, these medications are only subsidised for type 2 diabetes. The government is con...
The PBAC recommended listing Wegovy (semaglutide) on the PBS for adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. The decision targets high-risk groups, including those with a BMI of 35 or...
The Australian government is expected to introduce significant reforms for general practitioners in 2026. There will be increased funding for rural training, with more places added to the Rural Genera...
The Australian Department of Health is planning to expand GP access to certain MRI scans in three phases. The first phase would allow GPs to request rebates for specific MRIs, including those for the...
The Australian healthcare sector saw significant policy changes in 2025. The government announced an $8.5 billion Medicare reform package in February, focusing on bulk-billing incentives and chronic d...
In 2025, general practice in Australia played a central role in health debates and reforms. The RACGP president highlighted how GPs provided over 172 million services, with most Australians trusting a...
The most prescribed drugs in Australia for 2024–25 are mainly for heart health, mental health, and diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering medicines like rosuvastatin and atorvastatin top the list by volume an...
The RACGP has responded to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice on efforts to combat modern slavery. They support the idea that GPs can help identify and manage cases of modern slavery, espec...
A car crashed through the Essendon Health Medical Centre in Melbourne, killing a pedestrian and injuring a patient. The incident happened while Dr Rafid Hamdan was consulting, just four months after o...
A new study in Lancet Psychiatry compares different strategies for stopping antidepressants. It looked at sudden stopping, fast tapering, slow tapering, dose reduction, and continuing treatment. The r...
Dr Liza Robertson, a senior GP at Wuchopperen Health Service in Far North Queensland, was awarded the RACGP Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for Aboriginal Health Excellence. She has worked in remote Aborigi...
GP practices in Australia are preparing for the holiday season by managing staff leave, updating communication channels, and securing physical and digital assets. Practice owners are considering how t...
A new study from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute shows that upskilling GPs in paediatric care can reduce hospital referrals and boost GP confidence. The model involves paediatricians working...
Associate Professor Joel Rhee created the Rhee Family Award to support research that improves care for older Australians. His mother, who had multiple system atrophy, inspired the award after her pass...
The AMA has revised its Clinical Academic Pathways in Medicine position statement to highlight issues with research quality among early-career doctors. They point out that many medical colleges now re...
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) is reviewing proposals to expand bulk-billed MRI access for GPs. The plan aims to allow GPs to request MRI scans for more conditions, starting w...
Dr Raji Krishnan has been practising medicine for over 40 years, mainly focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She was recognised as RACGP’s 2025 GP of the Year at the GP25 con...
The Australian government has completed more than half of its 'Strengthening Medicare' reforms. Out of 47 planned measures, 27 are now in place, including urgent care clinics and increased bulk-billin...
Last week, Australian health ministers met in Brisbane. They discussed making it easier for GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD across the country. An advisory group has been set up to c...
The PBAC is close to deciding whether weight-loss drugs like semaglutide will be added to Australia's PBS. Currently, many patients pay up to $5000 a year for private prescriptions of GLP-1 therapies....
