General Practice After Hours Program

This General Practice After hours Program (GPAH) aims to ensure that as many people as possible have access to quality after hours GP services when they need them. The grants are used to help support the viability of GP services working in the after hours period.

In this section:

Funding is used to target areas of community need for after hours GP services and assist with the establishment of new after hours services, or the maintenance or extension of existing services.

Round 4 GPAH grants

On 27 December 2011, the then Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, announced that 63 communities across the country would have greater access to their local GPs outside of business hours following a Round 4 grant from the General Practice After Hours (GPAH) Program. Successful recipients received up to $100,000 to assist with the cost of providing after hours care over two years.

Medicare Locals

In line with the establishment of Medicare Locals and their role in planning and supporting local after hours services, funding under the GPAH program is being phased out. The Commonwealth will honour all current GPAH funding agreements to the end of existing contractual arrangements.

Commonwealth funding currently available under the GPAH program will be redirected to after hours services through the new Medicare Locals. Medicare Locals are in the best position to make decisions about after hours service provision. They have a detailed understanding of their region and its local health workforce as well as the specific needs of communities within their region.

Inquiries

Inquiries about the provision of after hours care in local communities should be forwarded to your Medicare Local. A list of Medicare Locals and their contact numbers may be accessed at the YourHealth Website.

Contacts

State specific GPAH grant inquiries can be directed to the Department’s State and Territory offices. Contact details are listed at the Health Website