The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is calling on the Australian Government to seize the opportunity in the 2026–27 Federal Budget to strengthen healthcare access for rural, remote and First Nations communities by investing in Rural Generalists and the communities that support them. 

The call follows the landmark confirmation by Australian Health Ministers in September 2025 that Rural Generalist Medicine is recognised as a specialty of general practice — a pivotal moment for Australia’s rural health workforce and a critical step toward ensuring people can access care at the right time, in the right place, close to home. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the recognition must now be matched with targeted and sustained investment. 

“Recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine is a gamechanger for rural and remote healthcare, but recognition alone is not enough,” Dr Martin says. 

“The 2026–27 Budget must build on this momentum by growing the Rural Generalist pipeline, supporting sustainable practice, and strengthening the rural, remote, and First Nations communities that Rural Generalists and their families call home.” 

In its 2026–27 Federal Budget submission, ACRRM outlines three national priorities to ensure Rural Generalists can deliver high-quality, comprehensive care across Australia. 

1. Grow the Rural Generalist pipeline 

ACRRM is calling on the Australian Government to approve the College to deliver an additional 180 Rural Generalist training places each year, taking its total to 500 annual places through the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program from 2027. 

ACRRM is the only medical college dedicated exclusively to rural, remote, and First Nations health and has demonstrated strong demand and capacity to deliver these places, with applications increasing by 30 per cent for the 2026 training year and training delivery exceeding current contract targets. 

“ACRRM has the demand, the experience and the proven outcomes to deliver more Rural Generalists where they are needed most,” Dr Martin says. 

“More than 82 per cent of FACRRMs are still working in rural communities five or more years after Fellowship — this is an investment that delivers lasting returns.” 

Funding for the additional training places has already been committed under the 2025–26 Federal Budget’s Strengthening Medicare package, with ACRRM seeking a government decision to allocate the places and associated funding. 

2. Enable sustainable practice for Rural Generalists 

ACRRM is urging the Government to ensure Rural Generalists can practise to their full scope by providing access to relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers that recognise their advanced skills, including in emergency medicine, mental health and other specialist areas. 

“The MBS underpins the sustainability of medical care in Australia,” Dr Martin says. 

“If Rural Generalist Medicine is to be fully embedded in the health system, it must be properly recognised and supported through the MBS.” 

ACRRM is also calling for a strong federal commitment to the National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services, including action to prevent further closures, support reopening of services, and ensure women and families can access maternity care close to home. 

3. Strengthen rural communities to support Rural Generalists and their families 

ACRRM says workforce solutions cannot succeed without strong, liveable communities and is calling for the needs of rural and remote areas to be recognised across Australian Government initiatives and reforms, particularly in relation to: