AAPi is aware of incorrect or confusing information being disseminated regarding the Government’s proposed changes to Better Access commencing 1 November 2025. As AAPi has been receiving direct questions about this topic, with references to inaccurate third-party information, we wanted to clarify the situation.
On Friday 24 May, we confirmed with the Department of Health and Aged Care that the inference in some articles that only people registered with MyMedicare could access Better Access is inaccurate. The only minor correction from what AAPi included in our summary on 17 May relates to an error made on the fact sheet by Services Australia that no passage of legislation was required to implement the changes. A disallowable instrument will be tabled, and legislation will need to be passed to allow these changes to occur.
No policy changes have occurred, and assertions that the government has softened or changed its proposed Better Access policies are, to the best of our knowledge, incorrect.
To avoid any confusion, the proposed changes to be implemented on 1 November 2025 with regard to referrals are:
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Patients registered with MyMedicare should be referred to Better Access by their MyMedicare registered practice.
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Patients who are not registered in MyMedicare will still be able to be referred to Better Access from their usual GP.
You can read the full details of the proposed Better Access changes in this fact sheet, supplied by the Department of Health and Aged Care on Friday 24 May.
AAPi continues working with the government and the Department of Health and Aged Care to garner a clear definition of “usual GP” and advocate for real and beneficial policy change. As always, we will keep members updated with developments.
Need to know: The Work of Psychologists
AAPi Director Carly Dober provided her expertise on ABC Radio Melbourne this week in its "Need to Know" segment on psychologists, answering calls from listeners and explaining the work of psychologists.
Carly discussed the education psychologists require, the difference between clinical and registered psychologists, bulk billing, rebates, how to choose a psychologist that is right for you, and privacy issues.
Our valued AAPi member Joe also made a significant contribution to the segment, shedding light on the two-tier system.
Listen to the full segment.
Mysterious digital mental health program ‘will be human’
In this article in The Medical Republic, AAPi expressed its concerns about the low-intensity digital mental health service announced in the Federal Budget. Executive Director Tegan Carrison said that the confirmation of humans-only at these centres had not quelled uneasiness within the mental health sector.
“Even if people have been flagged as early intervention or lower acuity, you need trained health professionals to actually make that definitive decision,” she said.
“If these services are going to be staffed with students or low-qualified professionals, that creates massive amounts of risk.”
Ms Carrison’s main concern was that the government is attempting to quietly steer patients away from the Better Access program, which was the subject of a withering independent evaluation in 2022.
“It feels like some of these programs are in response to … the Better Access evaluation, but we still haven’t actually received the government response to that evaluation yet,” she said.
Read the full article here.
Cost-of-living stress isn't increasing just our bills and rent; it's also changing our relationships
AAPi President Sahra O'Doherty spoke with the ABC this week about the wide-ranging impacts of the cost of living.
Sahra provided insights into cultural perspectives on money, the ways people respond to the cost of living and how it can impact our relationships.
"It (the cost of living) is definitely one of the biggest stresses for all of my clients at the moment.... If we are feeling stressed or frustrated about our circumstances, chances are that it has to come out somewhere and we take those big emotions out on people who are closest to us," she explained.
Read the article here.
Should all workers get 'unhappiness leave'? Experts think so.
AAPi Director Carly Dober is featured in this article on the concept of 'unhappiness leave'.
"To be able to take a bit of time away from work that didn't eat into any annual or personal leave to focus on whatever needs attending to mentally would be very freeing for so many people."
Read the article.
Medicare Indexation announced
The 1 July 2024 Medicare indexation rate has been released. Find out the rate and Medicare rebates here.
HIV/AIDS has caused global devastation, with over 40 million deaths since the early 1980s (UNAIDS 2023), and the epidemic's impact continues to be felt worldwide.
Through the epidemic Australia responded effectively via community empowerment, saving lives and supporting those affected. Key partnerships among governments, people with HIV, communities, NGOs, clinicians, and academia helped prevent a widespread epidemic. As a result, Australia now has one of the fastest declines in HIV notifications globally.
In 2023, the HIV Taskforce was formed to renew efforts to eliminate HIV transmission in Australia by 2030. It includes representatives from government, community organisations, researchers, and medical experts. The taskforce addressed education, prevention, testing, treatment, legal issues, stigma, and discrimination, informed by expert presentations and youth input.
This report outlines the taskforce’s findings and recommendations on prevention, testing, treatment, awareness, decriminalisation, and partnership.
Read the full report here.
Allied health professionals play a crucial role in providing high-quality palliative care. To support this, the Australian Government funds organisations to create resources and offer free education and training courses. These programs focus on essential palliative care skills and competencies applicable to all. Training in palliative care can enhance the knowledge, skills, and confidence of allied health professionals in caring for and communicating with individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
This toolkit provides information and materials to increase the palliative care knowledge, skills and confidence of the allied health workforce.
Access the toolkit here.
Senate Inquiry Into "Dangerous and Risky" NDIS Cuts and Changes
The Australian Senate began its inquiry into Labor's proposed NDIS changes this week.
Submissions to the inquiry have urged Senators not to pass the bill in its current form.
Read more.
Reform underway for NT mental health legislation
NT Health is reforming mental health legislation in the Northern Territory, updating the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998. The Exposure Draft Bill focuses on the provision of treatment and care for individuals with mental illness, either in hospitals or through compulsory community treatment, primarily via public health services.
To help finalise the bill, NT Health is seeking comment and submissions.
Read more or find submission details here.
$39 million to boost perinatal mental healthcare
An initial $39 million investment will see 30 new mother baby beds established across six locations in Queensland, to provide specialist perinatal mental healthcare across the state.
Implementation will commence mid-2024, through to late 2026.
Read more.
$224.3 million dollar investment to support students with special needs in Western Australia
An additional $224.3 million investment has been announced to support public school students who have a diagnosed disability or other special learning needs in Western Australia.
Read more.
Investing in Territory healthcare
The 2024 Budget provides $2.2 billion for the delivery of safe and high quality health services for Territorians.
Key health investments include:
- $1.4 billion for hospital services
- $259 million for primary health care
- $108 million for mental health
Read more.
Suicide prevention community grant NT
Community grants are available to deliver community-led activities that raise awareness and help keep people safe, as part of the NT Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Click here for further information.
New strategy to address psychological risks in the workplace with $5.6m in business assistance
The NSW Government has introduced the SafeWork NSW Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024-2026 to help employers manage psychosocial risks and safeguard workers from psychological harm. The plan is supported by $5.6 million and will fund workplace mental health programs for small and medium-sized businesses through the Black Dog Institute and Transitioning Well.
Learn more.
Leveraging digital technology in healthcare
This research paper explores how digital technology can improve patient outcomes and boost productivity in healthcare. Using case studies, it finds that better integration of digital technology could save over $5 billion annually and alleviate pressures on the healthcare system. The paper also outlines how governments can support the achievement of these significant benefits.
Advances in measuring healthcare productivity
Healthcare spending in Australia has increased over the past few decades and is expected to keep rising. This paper examines the productivity growth of one-third of Australia's healthcare sector, comparing it to other countries.
