Learn more about the consultation

The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has asked RACP to review and give feedback on proposed changes to billing rules and systems under the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits) Act 2024, which takes effect January 2026.

We invite you to share your feedback on the proposed changes to:

• regulations – Health Insurance Regulations 2018 (HI Regulations 2018)

• digital systems – including Services Australia and claiming channels

The Consultation on Assignment of Medicare Benefits for Simplified Billing Services outlines:

• the current Health Insurance Act 1973 (HI Act)

• proposed legislative changes and their potential impact

• changes to regulations and systems needed to support the new way Medicare benefits are assigned

These changes may affect physicians' daily practice, so it’s important to ensure they do not create barriers to care. The Policy & Advocacy team is gathering feedback from across the College to help shape our submission, using past policies and references for guidance.

Your feedback will help shape the College’s response. We'll remove any information that identifies you from your response.

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If you have any queries, please contact RACPConsult@racp.edu.au

Learn more about the draft statement

The College’s Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (AChAM) Committee has developed a draft short Statement on Vapourised Nicotine Products Draft AChAM Committee statement on vapourised nicotine products that aims to provide a balanced view of the current issues at play with the use of vapourised nicotine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The short draft statement covers the following issues:

• regulatory approaches in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
• the role of vapourised nicotine to assist people in tobacco cessation
• problems of vapourised nicotine dependence
• public health impact of vaping availability

The College Policy and Advocacy Committee (CPAC) Executive Committee has approved consultation on the draft statement with internal stakeholders including relevant College bodies, affiliated specialty societies and the broader College membership.

All feedback is required by Monday 7 April 2025.

Your feedback will inform the further refinement of the draft Statement on Vapourised Nicotine Products. Please note that all feedback received will be deidentified.  

If you have any queries, please contact Claire Celia, RACP Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer via RACPConsult@racp.edu.au

Learn more about the guideline 

In October 2024, the Legislative Council of NSW Parliament established a Select Committee to inquire into foundational and disability supports available for children and young people in NSW.

This inquiry examines the accessibility and effectiveness of services for children with disabilities in NSW, focusing on gaps in early intervention, diagnostics, workforce capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.

It emphasises best practices, cultural safety, and implementing recommendations from the NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission to improve outcomes for children and families.

View the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

Supporting children and young people with disabilities in accessing equitable services is a key RACP priority. We recently shared feedback to the Department of Social Services on Foundational Supports for children with developmental concerns, disabilities, and their families.

We submitted detailed recommendations to the DSS through the RACP Submission - Foundational (General) Supports for People with Disability (PDF), including content focused on children and young people.

The NSW Inquiry presents a critical opportunity to address these issues at a state level. We encourage your feedback to help shape a more inclusive and effective system for children and families in NSW.

Your feedback will inform the RACP’s submission. All feedback received will be de-identified.

If you have any queries, contact policy@racp.edu.au.

Learn more about this consultation 

The Tasmanian Government is conducting a public consultation on the Tasmanian 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy 2026-2046 Discussion Paper.

The Discussion Paper aims to set the strategic direction for preventive health action in Tasmania over the next 20 years.

Members are asked to provide feedback on the Discussion Paper to support an RACP submission. Feedback is sought on ways the Tasmanian Government can strengthen prevention and better support all Tasmanians to improve their physical and mental health, and on what areas and actions the Tasmanian Government should focus on to achieve the aims of the 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy.

All feedback received will be de-identified. If you have any queries, please contact parc@racp.edu.au.