About the review
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report explored critical areas for government action to redesign primary care as the core of an effective, modern health system.
The report recommended governments work together to review the barriers and incentives for primary health care professionals working to their full scope of practice.
National Cabinet endorsed the taskforce recommendations on 28 April 2023. The Australian Government provided funding for the now under way scope of practice review through the 2023-24 Budget.
Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce is an independent review, led by Professor Mark Cormack. It looked at the available evidence about health professionals’ ability to deliver on their full scope of practice in primary care.
The review identified opportunities to remove the barriers stopping health professionals working to their full scope of practice. It also drew on examples of multi-disciplinary teams where members are working to their full scope of practice to deliver best practice primary care.
Final Report
After over 12 months of consultation and research, Independent Reviewer Professor Mark Cormack delivered the final report for the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review to Government on 30 October 2024.
The final report proposes 18 recommendations across 4 themes:
- Workforce design, development, education and planning
- Legislation and regulation
- Funding and payment policy
- Enablers and other key considerations
Read the final report.
Review focus
The image shows what is in scope and out of scope for the Scope of Practice Review.
In scope: Primary care workforce, covering general practitioners, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and workers, allied health professionals (both regulated and self-regulated), paramedics and the assistance workforce.
Focus areas in scope include legislation and regulation, technology, education and training, funding mechanisms, employer practices and work context, leadership and culture, and opportunities and lessons learned.
This work will result in:
- understanding of benefits, risks, barriers and enablers
- recommendations on priority reforms to deliver change
- advice on ongoing approach to manage scope of practice change.
Out of scope: personal factors influencing scope of practice, GP incentive programs, broad review of Medicare Benefits Schedule items, development of clinical guidelines, recommendations on specific changes to scopes of practice.
The review team undertook a broad consultation process to consider and hear all perspectives and voices. The review consulted with:
- governments
- peak bodies
- health professions
- regulators
- education and training providers
- employers
- funders
- insurers
- professional bodies
- unions
- consumers.
For more details see the review’s terms of reference.
Why it is important
The review explored the system changes and practical improvements needed to support greater productivity and improved, safe and affordable care for patients.
With the right technology, innovation and regulation in place, the health care system can gain the full benefit of professional skills and expertise.
Goals
The review started by looking at evidence on health professionals working to, or being prevented from exercising, their full scope of practice in primary care. This included the:
- benefits
- outcomes
- associated risks.
The review outlined steps and recommendations that aim to deliver:
- better health care and outcomes for patients
- a more productive health system
- better access to health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, rural and remote Australians, and other marginalised groups
- greater job satisfaction for health professionals, leading to improved recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce.
Independent reviewer
Professor Mark Cormack led the Independent Scope of Practice Review.
Professor Cormack works at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Health and Medicine, and established the ANU’s National Centre for Health Workforce Studies.
His academic role follows a long career of senior roles in Commonwealth, state and ACT government. Including CEO of Health Workforce Australia, CEO of ACT Health and Deputy Secretary at three Australian Government Departments.
Updates
Read Professor Cormack’s updates about the review.
Scope of Practice Review updates
Research partner
The University of Queensland (UQ) (partnering with KPMG) supported the review. The research team undertook an extensive literature review on the topic. It analysed stakeholder submissions and consultation discussions and documented the emerging themes and issues. UQ also supported the lead reviewer in drafting the issues papers and the final report for the review.
Issues papers
The review produced two issues papers. Issues paper 1 explored the available evidence about the benefits, risks, barriers and enablers to health practitioners working to their full scope of practice. Issues paper 2 moved from identifying and clarifying problems and issues to proposing policy reform options for further consideration and development through consultation.
Issues papers
Expert Advisory Committee
An Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) provided input to the review. The 23-member committee included representation from many areas of the health workforce, as well as consumers and people involved in the education and training of the workforce. Each member is highly qualified, and brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, skills and interest in the delivery of innovative, multidisciplinary and affordable primary care for patients.
The EAC provided subject matter expertise, insights and advice throughout the review process, including helping to guide our stakeholder engagement processes. A specific set of terms of reference for the EAC provided more detail of its role, function and responsibilities.
The EAC met on 14 November 2023, 12 December 2023 and 12 April 2024 The EAC met for a face-to-face Workshop in Canberra on 26 June 2024, as part of Phase 3 consultations, and on 3 September 2024 as part of Phase 4 targeted stakeholder consultations. Read a summary of key EAC meetings.
Timeline of Review
The image shows the phases of the review. The Expert Advisory Committee has input in all stages. The text reads as follows.
Ministerial announcement of terms of reference and review consultation: September 2023.
Phase 1: September to November 2023
- Project establishment
- Public submissions – closed 16 October
- Initial stakeholder consultation.
Phase 2: December 2023 to March 2024
- Issues Paper 1: key themes, evidence base and legislative context
- Stakeholder forums and consultation.
Phase 3: April to July 2024
- Issues Paper 2: barriers and enablers
- Stakeholder forums and consultation.
Phase 4: July to September 2024
- Draft final report and implementation plan
- Stakeholder forums and consultation.
Final report and implementation plan by October 2024.