Regional and remote Australia most at risk as report warns of worsening GP shortfall

Peak body urges comprehensive policy approach' to reverse trend whereby more doctors are leaving general practice than adopting it as a career

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There are not enough general practitioners to meet the growing healthcare needs of Australians, a government report has warned, with a shortfall of more than 5000 expected in the next decade.

In 2023 39,449 GPs provided primary care services through Medicare, an increase of 2,533 GPs (including specialist GPs and trainees) since 2018 but insufficient" to cope with future demands, the report found.

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