Budget 2009 – what it means for local GPs
What does May’s federal budget have in store for your practice?
GP Workforce
Local effects of replacing the RRMA with the ASGC-RA system from July 1st, 2009:
- 10 year moratorium for International Medical Graduates decreases to 9 years for RA 2, 7 years for RA 3.
- Bonded Medical Places and Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships (undergraduate) have a similar time reduction for return of service obligations, to IMG moratorium times.
- HECS debts will be repaid over 5 years for RA 2, 4 years for RA 3.
- Under the new General Practice Rural Incentives Program, a relocation grant from the city is $15000 for RA 2, $ 30000 for RA 3.
Note: all Division practice locations are RA 2 (inner regional) except Lake Bolac, which is RA 3 (outer regional).
Retention grant payments on a sliding scale (formerly not accessible by Ballarat city GPs) [source]
Time in Location (Years)
| 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5+ | |
| Grant RA 2 | none | $ 2 500 | $ 4 500 | $ 7 500 | $ 12 000 |
| Grant RA 3 | $ 4 000 | $ 6 000 | $ 8 000 | $ 13 000 | $ 18 000 |
For comparison of the new retention grant payments with former rural incentives see http://www.agpn.com.au/client_images/272841.pdf
All Division practice locations will be eligible to seek locum support under the new National Rural Locum Program.
Practice Incentive Payments
There are currently no plans to change the area classification system used to calculate Practice Incentive Payments. These payments will continue to be based on RRMA classifications.
Nursing
Nurse practitioners and midwives to gain access to MBS and PBS.
Consolidation of programs:
- Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce
- The Rural Nurse Initiative (Nurse Scholarship program)
- Additional Practice Nurses for Rural Australia
- The Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarships scheme
Jo Millard, our Nursing in General Practice Program Coordinator will contact you with further information as she receives it.
Chronic Disease Management
Cessation of funding for four Australian Better Health Initiative components from 30 June 2010:
- promotion of the 45 year old health check
- supporting lifestyle and risk modification
- encouraging self-management of chronic disease
- the primary care incentive fund
Closing the Gap
Significant resources for general practice and Divisions to close the gap including practice incentive payments, preventative measures, chronic disease management and self management initiatives, as well as improved service coordination through Division-auspiced outreach workers.
Immunisation
PIP for immunisation will be stopped for non-accredited practices unless they store vaccines appropriately.
Mental Health
The Mental Health Support for Drought-Affected Communities Program has been continued for another year.
Mary Shone, our Mental Health Program Coordinator, will contact you about other mental health changes as soon as she receives relevant information.
National Prescribing Service
Increased funding for National Prescribing Service educational programs, extension of the program to include education about radiology services.
Training
- Prevocational General Practice Placement Program places will increase by 160 places per year to achieve 410 annual placements in 2012-13 (a real increase)
- GPET to administer PGPPP (previously ACRRM and RACGP)
- Additional GP registrar training places; 75 this year, 100 next year
- Extended rural placement time for registrars from 6 to 12 months (more registrars for longer time in the district)
- Consolidation and Restructure of GP Regional Training Providers
- Increased funding for Rural Clinical Schools, expansion to nursing and dental training
Please contact me at the Division for further clarification of these changes.
