United General Practice Australia (UGPA) welcomes the Government’s decision to permanently scrap the proposed $2 000 cap on work-related self-education expenses originally proposed by the Labor Government earlier this year.
The original announcement received widespread criticism from the general practice profession and the UGPA, as founding members of the Scrap the Cap Alliance, has been lobbying hard to reverse the proposed cap since.
Noting the success of the Scrap the Cap campaign, UGPA views the decision as one that will allow Australian general practice to continue to lead the world in delivering first class health outcomes for its patients – with training, education and ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) fundamental to this vision.
Australia’s rural and remote GPs will no longer be at a substantial disadvantage in accessing training and will be able to continue offering vital healthcare services to these at need communities.
In a move that shows common sense prevailing, the Coalition Government has demonstrated its understanding of the realistic costs that GPs incur when participating in continuing education designed to meet both individual and legislative learning needs and requirements.
The proposed cap had the potential to affect a number of Australia’s peak professional organisations who also joined the Scrap the Cap Alliance. Over 70 member organisations, spanning more than 1.6 million professionals joined the Alliance representing professions including nurses, allied health professionals, universities, engineers, accountants, lawyers, veterinarians, and small business operators.