The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is calling on the Australian Government to use the 2026–27 Federal Budget to ensure Medicare properly recognises the advanced skills Rural Generalists provide in rural, remote and First Nations communities. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Rural Generalists have the training, skills and confidence to deliver essential services beyond standard primary care, including hospital care, emergency medicine, and advanced specialist services. 

“It is what sets Rural Generalists apart,” Dr Martin says. 

“Rural Generalists provide advanced care in communities where there is reduced or no other specialist healthcare workforce. 

“Medicare must recognise this scope of practice, so services remain sustainable and affordable for patients.” 

ACRRM is seeking Rural Generalist-specific Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items and access to relevant specialist items, including: 

  • 10 Rural Generalist-specific items, plus two telehealth items 

  • Access to 17 emergency care-related items 

  • 13 additional mental health items for appropriately skilled Rural Generalists. 

ACRRM notes this aligns with longstanding national workforce principles that Rural Generalists should access general practice items for primary care and relevant specialist items when practising in their area of advanced skill. 

Dr Martin says Medicare reform is also critical to addressing rural health funding inequity. 

Research shows rural Australians receive more than $1000 less per person each year in government spending on healthcare, pharmaceuticals, aged care and disability services compared with metropolitan communities. This includes an MBS funding deficit of almost $400 per person per year in very remote areas. 

“The MBS is the core of government funding for outpatient care,” Dr Martin says. 

“Recognising Rural Generalist Medicine within Medicare will improve access to specialised services locally and help close the funding gap faced by rural, remote, and First Nations communities.  

“It will recognise RGs for the challenging work they have specifically trained for,” Dr Martin says.