21 April 2026

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is calling on the Federal Government to invest in collaborative models of care in the upcoming May Budget to improve patient access to specialist advice and relieve growing pressure across Australia’s healthcare system.

RACP President Professor Jennifer Martin says “Strengthening collaboration between physicians, general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals is critical to ensuring the healthcare system remains fit for purpose in managing complex and chronic conditions.

“Australia’s healthcare system was not designed for the level of chronic and multi-morbid disease we are now seeing. Nor is it set up for optimising preventative healthcare.

“Patients with complex conditions often require input from multiple health professionals. Yet our funding structures and service models do not consistently support coordinated, team-based care.

“Collaborative care models including shared care arrangements, virtual multidisciplinary case conferencing, direct specialist support for primary care, structured outreach services and coordinated referral networks can significantly improve access to specialist care and patient outcomes while supporting workforce sustainability and system resilience.”

The RACP says collaborative care can:

• Provide earlier and easier access to physician expertise – meaning shorter waitlists, less travel and improved patient outcomes, especially for underserviced and priority populations
• Support general practitioners to manage complex conditions with specialist input, reducing patient out-of-pocket costs which is crucial in a cost-of-living crisis
• Reduce avoidable hospital admissions and emergency department presentations and saving costs for governments
• Improve continuity of care for patients with chronic and multi-system disease.

“In many areas of the country, innovative collaborative care models are already demonstrating success,” Professor Martin said.

“The challenge now is to scale what works, to ensure patients across Australia can benefit from coordinated, team-based care that is supported by appropriately designed and funded Medicare items, increased funding for public health services and sustainable workforce planning.”

The RACP is also calling for Medicare reforms that better recognise the time and coordination required for complex care.

“Collaborative care helps to ensure Australians receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while using our health workforce more effectively.”

The RACP stands ready to work with the Federal Government to implement reforms that strengthen collaboration across the healthcare system and improve health outcomes for all Australians.

The RACP Pre-Budget Submission can be found here: https://www.racp.edu.au//docs/default-source/advocacy-library/2026-pre-budget-submission-to-the-australian-treasury.pdf?sfvrsn=4dcdaf1a_5