Female GPs are spending longer with patients and treating more complex problems, but Medicare still does not reward that work, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The college’s 2026 Health of the Nation report found structural gender bias in the Medicare system. It also revealed big differences in the experiences of female and male GPs, and of the patients they care for.
For the first time since the survey began, female GP job satisfaction was lower than male GP job satisfaction.
The report found 71 per cent of female GPs ranked psychological issues among their top three reasons for patient visits. For male GPs, it was 58 per cent. More than half of female GPs named mental health care as a key priority area, compared with one in three male GPs.
Male GPs were more likely to see patients for musculoskeletal, respiratory, ear, nose and throat, and circulatory conditions.
That difference adds up. Female GPs average 21 minutes per consultation, compared with 18 minutes for male GPs.
“Female GPs are playing a critical role delivering complex care across our health system, particularly in mental health, preventive healthcare and women’s health, but the Medicare system has not kept pace with the reality of modern general practice,” said RACGP President Dr Michael Wright.
“The current system disadvantages female GPs for providing the longer, complex consultations that are essential for good patient outcomes – that must change.”
Dr Wright said longer consultations often come with financial penalties. He said those penalties hit the doctors providing them, and the patients who need them.
He pointed to analysis by Ochre Health, which found a gender pay gap in general practice.
“Analysis by Ochre Health has revealed a gender pay gap in general practice, with male GPs earning 6.5% more per consulting hour than their female colleagues.”
“Put another way, for every dollar earned by a male GP, a female GP earns just 93.5 cents, highlighting the ongoing need to address inequities within the profession.”
The report also found wellbeing gaps. Job satisfaction and work-life balance improved among GPs overall. But female GPs were less likely to report a good work-life balance, at 55 per cent compared with 57 per cent for male GPs.
They were also more likely to report burnout. Some 65 per cent of female GPs reported feelings of burnout in the past 12 months, compared with 53 per cent of male GPs.
Dr Wright said the Federal Government has begun taking steps on gender inequity in healthcare. They include moves to align rebates for contraceptive procedures such as IUD insertions with rebates for vasectomies.
“That progress is welcome, but the fundamental issue remains.”
“Female GPs are spending longer with patients providing complex care, and Medicare still does not adequately reflect that reality.”
Dr Wright said the findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers.
“Patients deserve a healthcare system that values the care they need, and doctors deserve a funding model that properly recognises the work they do.
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