Access to general practice care

The overwhelming majority of patients can access general practice care, with less than 2% of people reporting they were unable to see a GP when they needed to in 2022–23. Access to care varies by socioeconomic disadvantage and remoteness.²  People living in areas of least socio-economic disadvantage were more likely than those living in areas of most disadvantage to see a GP (83.8% compared to 81.3%), while people living in outer-regional, remote or very remote areas were more likely than those living in major cities to see a GP for urgent medical care (9.1% compared to 8.0%).²

Patients continue to generally rate the care they receive from their GP highly. Around 88% of patients report their GP always or often spent enough time with them, 94% reported their GP showed respect and over 90% reported their GP listened carefully (Figure 5).²

In 2022–23, most people were able to access a GP for urgent medical care within 24 hours. For two in five people, this care was available within four hours. People outside of major cities were more likely to report longer wait times for urgent care (Figure 6).²

In the last year there has been a notable increase in the proportion of people delaying or not accessing care due to cost. The overall proportion of people delaying or not accessing general practice care due to cost doubled from 3.5% to 7% between 2021–22 and 2022–23.² People between 25 and 34 years of age are now the most likely to avoid care due to financial reasons (Figure 7). These challenges are consistent across the health system, with 40% of Australians rating the affordability of healthcare as fair or poor.⁶