Overview

• The 2025 snapshot shows average consultation time rose by one minute year on year to 19.7 minutes, the largest jump since 2022.
• 86% of GPs reported delivering more specialist-level care, with 57% doing so often, and more than 70% regularly managed presentations typical of emergency departments or urgent care clinics.
• Rising complexity is being driven by chronic disease, mental health needs and an ageing population, with 68% of GPs naming complexity as their top challenge.
• Cost barriers are growing, with the share of people delaying GP care due to price increasing from 7% to 8.8% over the past year; average fees have climbed nearly 10% in two years and typical out-of-pocket costs are about $39 for a standard visit.
• RACGP president Michael Wright cited workforce shortages and urged Medicare reform and better integration to properly fund longer, more complex appointments.