Why does the RACGP call General Practitioners the “beating heart of the health system”?

The RACGP argues general practice sits at the centre of healthcare delivery and reform. In 2025, it points to GP scale and trust—172+ million services, most Australians seeing a GP, and continuity through preferred GP relationships—as evidence general practice is essential infrastructure, not an optional extra.

Are GP consultations really getting longer?

Yes. Health of the Nation 2025 reports the average time GPs spend with patients rose from 18.7 to 19.7 minutes between 2024 and 2025, and has increased by 11% since 2022. This reflects higher complexity, including chronic disease and mental health care.

What does Health of the Nation 2025 say about cost pressure in Medical Centres?

Health of the Nation 2025 reports average total fees for a standard 6–20 minute consult have risen to around $82 (including the MBS rebate), with an average gap around $39. It also reports that 50% of practising GPs charge $90+ for that consultation length (inclusive of the rebate). Clear, consistent patient communication becomes more important as costs rise.

How common are AI scribes in general practice now?

In its 2025 recap, the RACGP notes 40% of GPs are now using AI scribes. For Medical Centres considering adoption, governance matters: privacy, patient communication, clinician review of outputs, and ongoing monitoring are key.

Gorilla jobs blog about racgp 2025 recap with a sign of a medical clinic at night from the front outside

RACGP 2025 Recap: Why General Practitioners Are the Beating Heart of the Health System

January 13, 2026 0 Comments

RACGP 2025 Recap: Why General Practitioners Are the Beating Heart of the Health System (and What Medical Centres Can Do Next)

In a year of reform debates, workforce pressure, and shifting patient expectations, the RACGP’s end-of-year reflection put it plainly: “GPs are the beating heart of the health system – 2025 proved it.” In the piece, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright highlights why General Practitioners sit at the centre of Australia’s healthcare story — and what Medical Centres should keep an eye on as we move into 2026. RACGP source.

To turn that big-picture recap into clinic-ready takeaways, we’ve paired the RACGP reflection with key findings from the Health of the Nation 2025 report and its supporting data pages.

Key Summary – at a glance

The scale is enormous: RACGP reports GPs delivered 172+ million services, with ~90% of Australians seeing a GP and ~80% having a preferred GP. (RACGP)
Consults are longer: Health of the Nation 2025 shows the average time GPs report spending with patients rose from 18.7 to 19.7 minutes (an 11% increase since 2022). (RACGP HoTN)
Patient trust stays high: The RACGP recap emphasises patients saying GPs listen, respect them, and spend time — and the HoTN data supports high satisfaction. (RACGP HoTN)
Cost pressure is real: HoTN 2025 reports average total fees for a standard 6–20 minute consult have risen to around $82 (including the MBS rebate), with an average gap of ~$39. (RACGP HoTN)
AI is becoming normal: The RACGP recap notes 40% of GPs are now using AI scribes, a major workflow shift for many Medical Centres. (RACGP)
Big advocacy wins (and battles): The RACGP cites $660m support for GP training and calls out ongoing tension around the bulk-billing incentive rollout and messaging. (RACGP)
2026 watchlist: Scope of practice consultations, review of Medicare consultation item numbers, after-hours decisions, practice ownership shifts, and digital tools will keep General Practitioners front and centre. (RACGP)

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Why General Practitioners Are the “Beating Heart” in 2025

The RACGP’s year-in-review message is that general practice wasn’t on the sidelines in 2025, it was “front page”. The strongest evidence is the sheer volume of care: 172+ million GP services, a system where most Australians see a GP, and where continuity remains common through a preferred GP relationship. Source.

For Medical Centres, this matters because “beating heart” isn’t just rhetoric. It’s a reminder that general practice is where prevention, early intervention, complex chronic care, and urgent presentations collide. The RACGP argues the system depends on GP-led care staying viable, respected, and properly supported. Source.

Clinic takeaway: If your Medical Centre wants to “protect the heart”, focus on the drivers of trust the RACGP calls out: continuity, respect, and sufficient consult time. These are operational outcomes as much as clinical ones: booking rules, follow-up systems, reception scripts, and workflow design all shape whether patients feel “seen” and understood.

If you’d like a numbers-only refresher from the same report base, we’ve also published: General Practice by the Numbers: From Health of the Nation 2025.

Gorilla jobs blog about racgp 2025 recap with a male doctor sitting at his desk in the clinic with a notepad and a stethoscope — Photo by Nappy on Unsplash

Health of the Nation 2025 — The Practical Reality Inside Medical Centres

Consultations are longer (because care is more complex)

Health of the Nation 2025 shows the average time GPs report spending with patients rose to 19.7 minutes (up from 18.7 the year prior), and has increased 11% since 2022. Source.

This aligns with the RACGP’s broader recap: rising complexity, longer consults, and workloads dominated by mental health and chronic disease. RACGP recap.

Cost pressure is rising, so patient communication has to improve

On fees, Health of the Nation 2025 reports average total fees for a standard 6–20 minute consult have increased to around $82 (including the MBS rebate), with an average gap of around $39. It also reports that 50% of practising GPs are charging $90+ for that consultation length (inclusive of the rebate). Source.

Clinic takeaway: For Medical Centres, cost pressure isn’t only a billing issue. It’s a patient experience issue. Clear fee pages, consistent reception language, and upfront expectations reduce friction and help patients make timely decisions about care.

Access remains high — but it’s fragile if capacity drops

The HoTN executive summary highlights that GPs remain highly accessible: in 2023–24, 99% of people reported they were able to see a GP when needed, and more than half could access urgent GP care within 24 hours. Source.

For extra context on access trends (including patient delay behaviour), see our Gorilla Jobs recap: Fewer Patients Delaying GP Care: What the 2024–25 ABS Data Means for Clinics.

The 2026 Watchlist for General Practitioners and Medical Centres (RACGP)

Incentives and Medicare settings will stay in the spotlight

The RACGP recap flags that scope of practice debates, incentives, after-hours decisions, and a review of Medicare consultation item numbers are all sitting in the 2026 pipeline. Source.

If your Medical Centre is still bedding down the 1 November 2025 bulk-billing incentive changes, our explainer may help: Bulk Billing From 1 November 2025: Need to Know.

Payroll tax remains a live viability issue

The RACGP points to the Queensland payroll tax exemption win for GPs — and argues it should spread more broadly. Source. For a practical orientation across states and territories, see: Payroll Tax and GP Clinics in 2025: A State-by-State Snapshot.

AI scribes and digital tools: adoption is moving fast

According to the RACGP recap, 40% of GPs are now using AI scribes, signalling that documentation workflows are changing quickly. Source. If your Medical Centre is considering rollout, the RACGP’s practice resource covers benefits, risks, and governance considerations: Artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (RACGP).

Ownership and system shape are shifting

The RACGP also flags private insurers moving into general practice ownership, alongside broader structural change. For General Practitioners and practice leaders, this makes “viability fundamentals” even more important: transparent pricing, stable rosters, well-supported teams, and continuity systems that keep patients connected to their preferred GP. Source.

Simple “start of 2026” checklist for Medical Centres:

Protect continuity: Make it easy for patients to book with their preferred GP (online and via reception).
Design for complexity: Keep longer appointments available; use booking prompts to match time to problem type.
Clarify cost and billing: Keep fee messaging consistent (website, reception, scripts) to reduce confusion.
Govern AI safely: If using AI scribes, document consent/communication, privacy steps, and review processes.
Track the signals: Watch consult length, DNA rates, rebooking, patient feedback, and staff workload markers.

For an additional Medicare trend snapshot that may help planning (especially after the 1 November 2025 changes), see: Medicare Statistics 2025–26 YTD: What the Early Data Shows.

Conclusion

The RACGP’s 2025 recap frames general practice exactly as most clinicians experience it day-to-day: General Practitioners are the beating heart of the health system, keeping care accessible while complexity, expectations, and costs rise. For Medical Centres, the best response isn’t a single “big change” — it’s many small operational decisions that protect the core: continuity with a preferred GP, appointment structures that fit complexity, clear communication on fees, and thoughtful adoption of digital tools.

Disclaimer: This blog is a general overview and should not be construed as professional legal, financial or medical advice.

FAQs

Why does the RACGP call General Practitioners the “beating heart of the health system”?
The RACGP argues general practice sits at the centre of healthcare delivery and reform. In 2025, it points to GP scale and trust as evidence general practice is essential infrastructure, not an optional extra.

Are GP consultations really getting longer?
Yes. Health of the Nation 2025 reports the average time GPs spend with patients rose from 18.7 to 19.7 minutes between 2024 and 2025, and has increased by 11% since 2022. This reflects higher complexity, including chronic disease and mental health care.

What does Health of the Nation 2025 say about cost pressure in Medical Centres?
Health of the Nation 2025 reports average total fees for a standard 6–20 minute consult have risen to around $82 (including the MBS rebate), with an average gap around $39. It also reports that 50% of practising GPs charge $90+ for that consultation length (inclusive of the rebate). Clear, consistent patient communication becomes more important as costs rise.

How common are AI scribes in general practice now?
In its 2025 recap, the RACGP notes 40% of GPs are now using AI scribes. For Medical Centres considering adoption, governance matters: privacy, patient communication, clinician review of outputs, and ongoing monitoring are key.

What’s on the RACGP’s 2026 watchlist for General Practitioners?
The RACGP flags upcoming decisions and consultations covering scope of practice, incentives, after-hours care, and a review of Medicare consultation item numbers. It also notes shifting practice ownership patterns and fast-moving digital tool adoption as key themes for 2026.

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