A Stronger Medicare, for a Stronger Australia: Introducing Our Proposal to Embed Health Equity in General Practice Funding

This week, As part of the Health Equity Coalition, Inala Primary Care was proud to complete a major policy proposal for submission to the Commonwealth Government: Investing in Comprehensive Primary Care – A Proposal for Establishing Health Equity as a Core Element in General Practice Funding Models. This report was commissioned on behalf of the Department of Health and Aged Care via Brisbane South PHN.

The submission comes at a pivotal time. Australia is facing rising demand on its health system – from an ageing population, growing rates of chronic disease, and a shrinking health workforce to hospital systems struggling to keep pace. These pressures are felt most acutely in our most disadvantaged communities.

Too often, not-for-profit general practices – those committed to delivering care to the most marginalised -are left to fill the gaps without the resources to do so sustainably. Our paper sets out a practical solution: a blended funding model that aligns financing with the realities of caring for people who need more time, more support, and a stronger care team.

What We’re Proposing

Our proposal calls for a new approach to general practice funding that embeds health equity at its core:

• Medicare fee-for-service would continue to fund direct GP care

• Block funding and team-based incentives would support the additional time and staffing required to serve complex and vulnerable patients

• Funding would be scaled in not-for-profit practices, where trust, care coordination, and health literacy are essential and time-intensive

• The model enables comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that keeps people well and out of hospital

This is not a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s a targeted model that recognises the unique demands and staffing needs of health services working in high-need communities.

A Collaborative Call for Change

The Health Equity Coalition is a Brisbane-based collaboration of not-for-profit organisations committed to fair and accessible healthcare. This proposal has been reviewed by several peak bodies and aligns with long-standing calls for reform across the sector.

Incorporating lessons from Aboriginal Medical Services, rural health organisations, and community health providers, the proposal builds on what already works in other underserved settings. It’s time to bring that same level of structural support to metropolitan not-for-profit practices caring for the most disadvantaged.

Why It Matters

This proposal is more than a funding model—it’s a vision for a stronger Medicare system that works for everyone, not just those who can easily access care.

By investing in comprehensive primary care, we can build:

• Stronger people, through continuity, prevention, and trust

• Stronger providers, supported to offer high-quality care

• Stronger practices, with the right teams and tools

• And ultimately, a stronger Australia through a more inclusive, effective Medicare

We’re proud to be part of the movement pushing for this change—and we invite our community, colleagues, and stakeholders to read and share this proposal.

Download the full paper: Here