Use of non-hospital Medicare-subsidised services, such as GP, allied health, specialist, diagnostic imaging, and nursing and Aboriginal health workers, continues to vary considerably depending on where a person lives in Australia. In 2018–19, 88% of Australians saw a GP, an increase from 86% in 2013–14. People living in metropolitan Primary Health Network (PHN) areas were more likely to visit their GP after-hours than people from regional areas, whilst the converse was true for the use of GP services targeting chronic disease and complex care coordination and management.

  • Cat. no: PHC 4
Findings from this report:

  • After-hours GP service use was higher in metropolitan PHN areas (28% of people) than regional areas (15%) in 2018–19

  • Allied health use ranged from 25% of people (Northern Territory PHN area) to 43% (North Coast NSW) in 2018–19

  • 30% of Australians had an optometry service in 2018–19, a small increase from 27% in 2013–14

  • The number of specialist attendances per person increased by 6% between 2013–14 and 2018–19