Advocacy in Victoria

Advocacy in Victoria

The RACGP > Faculties > RACGP Victoria > Advocacy in Victoria
Last updated 7 August 2026

RACGP Victoria advocates for a strong, sustainable general practice sector and improved access to care for all Victorians. 

Our advocacy is informed and led by our members.

Working closely with members, government, and stakeholders, we ensure the voice of general practice is central to health policy and reform, and to advocating for sustainable funding for general practice.

Advocacy Priorities

Advocacy

Ensure the sustainability of general practice in Victoria

  • Payroll tax reform for general practice
    Many general practices in Victoria are struggling under rapidly increasing business costs, including payroll tax liabilities, which are actively undermining the sustainability of general practice.
    • Policy proposal: Provide a full exemption from payroll tax obligations for Victorian general practitioners.
  • Reinstate the Chief General Practice Adviser
    General practice must be embedded in state health decision-making. The Department of Health currently employs senior health professionals representing a number of areas, including nursing and midwifery, psychiatry, mental health nursing, paramedicine, cancer, digital health and allied health. However, the voice of general practice is a critical omission.
    • Policy proposal: Reinstate the role of Chief General Practice Adviser to ensure general practice is appropriately represented in the Department of Health, reducing health system spending and improving Victorians' health outcomes.

Support better access to care for Victorians

  • Ensure patient safety in the Chemist Care Now program
    The RACGP is deeply concerned about state-based expansions of pharmacy prescribing in retail pharmacies. This is health-lobbyist led policy that, in many cases, is contrary to the advice of Australia's independent expert health regulators and is not supported by evidence.
    • Policy proposal: Cease the expansion of the Chemist Care Now program, strengthen training requirements and commit to a public review of patient outcomes and adverse events.
  • Allow GPs to prescribe oral isotretinoin to ensure Victorians living with severe acne can access the medicine they need
    Isotretinoin is the gold standard treatment for people living with moderate to severe acne. Currently Victorians can only access it via a dermatologist, facing long wait times.
    • Policy proposal: Support GPs to work to their full scope of practice by allowing them to prescribe isotretinoin for people living with severe acne.
  • Reduce the costs of medicine for children in out-of-home care
    Children in foster care are among Victoria's most vulnerable, with disproportionately high rates of physical and mental health needs. Out-of-pocket costs of essential medicines for foster children are borne by their carers. This can cause significant financial stress given Victorian foster parents receive the lowest care allowance in Australia.
    • Policy proposal: Reimburse foster and kinship carers for the cost of GP or paediatrician-prescribed medicines, ensuring vulnerable children receive timely, essential medicines.
  • Ensure continued access to Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) through general practice
    MATOD is most effective when delivered in general practice. Financial incentives and system support are needed to expand access and improve patient outcomes.
    • Policy proposal: Introduce scaled financial incentives for GPs who prescribe MATOD, alongside a mentorship program to encourage more GPs across Victoria to offer this essential treatment.

Download the RACGP Victoria 2026 Victorian Election Priorities

Victorian State Budget Submission

Each year, RACGP Victoria develops a State Budget Submission outlining our recommendations to strengthen general practice and improve access to care for all Victorians.

The 2026–27 submission highlights the critical role of general practice in reducing pressure on hospitals and delivering cost-effective care, with evidence showing that every $1 invested in primary care delivers $1.60 in system-wide benefits.

Download the RACGP Victoria 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission.

 

The RACGP Victoria 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission outlines targeted initiatives to support the sustainability of general practice and improve patient outcomes across Victoria.

Key recommendations include:

  • Exempting contractor GPs from payroll tax to protect practice viability and maintain access to affordable care
  • Expanding GP prescribing and diagnosis for ADHD to reduce wait times and improve access to treatment
  • Strengthening access to Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) through financial incentives and workforce support
  • Reducing out-of-pocket medicine costs for children in out-of-home care to improve equity and health outcomes

These initiatives aim to keep more Victorians healthy in the community while reducing avoidable pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.

RACGP Victoria Submissions

RACGP Victoria regularly contributes to consultations, inquiries, and policy discussions to ensure the voice of general practice is represented in key decision-making across the state.

 

Victoria GPs at Parliament – Health Checks 

RACGP Victoria’s flagship advocacy event, bringing GPs into Parliament House to engage directly with Members of Parliament and highlight the value of general practice. 

  

GPs at Parliament Health Checks

GPs at Parliament – Health Checks is a unique advocacy initiative that connects general practitioners with Members of Parliament in a meaningful and practical way.

Through informal health checks — including blood pressure measurements, diabetes risk assessments (AUSDRISK), and other preventative health activities — GPs demonstrate the critical role of general practice in keeping Victorians healthy and out of hospital.

The event provides an opportunity to:

  • Build relationships with MPs and key decision-makers
  • Highlight the importance of preventive care and early intervention, and build health literacy among MPs
  • Advocate for policies to strengthen general practice and improve patient access to care

GPs at Parliament has become a key platform for RACGP Victoria to raise awareness of the challenges facing general practice and present solutions for a sustainable and thriving general practice sector.

Get Involved

Join the RACGP GP Advocate Network

Be part of a network of GPs supporting advocacy across Victoria, with flexible opportunities to get involved.

  

The GP Advocate Network connects members who are interested in supporting RACGP advocacy and working toward a stronger future for general practice.

Advocates receive training, updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved in advocacy activities, such as GPs at Parliament, supporting state budget submissions, and election campaigns.

Participation is flexible and there is no fixed time commitment required. Advocates are asked to commit to a few advocacy activities per year, such as sending one or two letters to their local MPs, supported by the RACGP Advocacy team.

Find out more and apply here

Learn more about becoming a Victoria Council member

Take on a leadership role and help guide the strategic direction of RACGP Victoria.

 

Victoria Council members play a key role in representing members, shaping advocacy priorities, and providing strategic leadership for the Faculty. Council members contribute local insights, support advocacy initiatives and consultations, and help ensure that RACGP Victoria reflects the needs of its members.

Opportunities to nominate for Council positions are available during the RACGP Faculty Elections in July each year. Members interested in nominating or learning more about the process can find further information here.

Join a Victorian committee

Join a sub-committee of the Victoria Council and contribute your voice and expertise to help shape support, education, opportunities to connect and advocacy for Victorian members.

  

Our committees provide a platform for members to collaborate with colleagues and contribute to policy, advocacy, education, and member engagement initiatives.

Current committees:

  • Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Committee
    Focuses on improving GP capacity and system responses to alcohol and other drug-related health issues, including policy, education, and advocacy.
  • GP and Psychiatry Liaison Committee
    A joint committee with RANZCP Victoria that strengthens collaboration between general practice and psychiatry to improve patient care and system integration.
  • International Medical Graduates (IMG) Committee
    Represents the interests of IMGs, advocating on key issues such as workforce participation, pathways to fellowship, and professional support.
  • New Fellows Committee
    Comprised of GPs within their first five years post-Fellowship, this committee supports early career GPs through a focus on career development, peer connection, and engagement with RACGP activities.
  • Women in General Practice (WiGP) Committee
    Advocates for and supports women GPs, with a focus on leadership, workforce participation, and addressing gender-specific issues in general practice.

If you’re interested in learning more or joining a committee, please contact vic.faculty@racgp.org.au.