GPs and practice owners from across Australia have voted the threat of payroll tax on tenant GPs among their top priorities for reform at the 2023 Practice Owners National Conference in Adelaide on Saturday.
The Royal Australian College of GP's (RACGP) 5th Practice Owners National Conference from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May, is the premier event providing education and professional development for GPs, practice owners and team members.
This year’s conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre tackles a variety of topics to help practices grow and improve services for patients across Australia – from data and technology, to managing disasters.
GPs, practice owners and team members attending this year’s conference were invited to submit and vote on their priorities for advocacy and reform – the top voted issue was the new ‘Sick Tax’.
A broad range of other areas for advocacy and reform were put forward by attendees, including workforce and recruitment of GPs, indexation of patient Medicare rebates, support for international medical graduates, aged care, and team-based care with GPs.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said it’s vital that GPs and practice owners can have their say on what reforms are needed to best serve their patients.
“GPs, practice owners and teams provide services every day across Australia and understand what is needed to improve patient care,” she said.
“It’s not surprising the new Sick Tax was voted the top priority for reform at our conference today. General practices in Australia already pay payroll tax on our staff, including receptionists, nurses and GPs in training.
“This is an extra payroll tax on tenant GPs, who aren’t employees, and it’s beyond the margins of most practices, meaning they’ll be forced to pass the costs on to patients. It will put more pressure on our hospitals and undermine the Federal Government’s recent investment in general practice care in the Budget.
“We welcomed the Federal Budget which provided the biggest investment in GP care in decades, with targeted support for those who need it most, including concession card holders and older people. This is what the RACGP called for to help our most vulnerable people struggling with increasing gap fees.
“Of course, one Budget was never going to fix everything. We have a way to go to reverse the years of underfunding of general practice and ensure everyone can access high-quality and affordable care from a GP – to stay healthy and live a full life.
“I am looking forward to working with the government on the long-term reforms to continue strengthening Medicare and general practice care. We need to get this right for all Australians, and the insights and recommendations from our member GPs and practice owners will be crucial.”