About the Strengthening Medicare - GP Grants program:
The Program known as Strengthening Medicare – GP Grants Program has received a substantial investment of $220 million from the Australian Government. This funding will be allocated over a span of two years, starting from 2022-23 and ending in 2023-24. Its primary objective is to provide assistance to general practices and eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
Purpose of the program:
The aim of this initiative is to allocate funding to general practices and eligible ACCHOs, enabling them to enhance their operations. The goal is to improve patient access, promote safe and easily accessible primary care, and ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
Who is eligible for the grants?
- General practices (see RACGP definition of ‘general practice’); and
- ACCHOs that deliver general practice services and are not owned or operated by a state, territory or local government agency or body.
How to participate in the program:
The implementation of the Program involves a collaborative effort between Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). PHNs will be responsible for administering and managing the Program for general practices, while NACCHO will handle the administration and management for ACCHO's. PHNs and NACCHO are sending correspondence (including a grant agreement form) directly to general practices and eligible ACCHOs, inviting their participation in the Program.
To facilitate participation in the Program, both PHNs and NACCHO will directly communicate with general practices and eligible ACCHO's. This correspondence will include a grant agreement form and an invitation to join the Program. Within the correspondence, each practice and ACCHO will be informed of the specific grant amount allocated to them, which falls within the range of $25,000 to $50,000.
Organizations interested in participating will be required to complete the grant agreement form and submit it to their respective PHN (for general practices) or NACCHO (for ACCHOs) by the deadline of 15 June 2023.
What can the grants be used for?
Each participating general practice and eligible ACCHO will have the opportunity to receive a one-time grant. This grant can be utilized for various purposes, including innovation, training, equipment, and minor capital works. These investments can be made within any one or more of the following three investment streams:
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Enhancing digital health capability – to fast-track the benefits of a more connected healthcare system in readiness to meet future standards;
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Upgrading infection prevention and control arrangements – to support the safe, face to face assessment of patients with symptoms of potentially infectious respiratory diseases (e.g. COVID, influenza);
- Paintaining or achieving accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practice (5th Edition), under the General Practice Accreditation Scheme – to promote quality and safety in general practice.
The Program provides the flexibility for general practices and eligible ACCHOs to fund activities within the three investment streams to best address their needs.
A one-off grant between $25,000 and $50,000 will be available to each participating general practice and eligible ACCHO.
How much funding will my general practice and eligible ACCHO receive?
A general practice and ACCHO’s grant allocation is based on their:
- Accreditation status, against the RACGP Standards for General Practices; and
- Practice size, as determined by the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (the Department) Medicare GPFTE 2021-22 financial year (FY) data.