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Call for government action to support GP care for homeless patients
The RACGP is calling for primary care funding and policy settings that better reflect the complexities of caring for this patient cohort.
‘People experiencing homelessness face some of the greatest health inequities in Australia.’
GPs are calling for stronger investment in general practice to better reflect the complexities of caring for Australians experiencing homelessness, as this year’s Homelessness Week brings awareness of the challenges facing vulnerable populations.
The RACGP says the 2026 theme for Homelessness Week (3–9 August), Homelessness Action Now, highlights the need for governments to act on proven solutions.
On Census night 2021, more than 122,000 Australians were estimated to be experiencing homelessness, up from 116,000 in 2016.
And according to Homelessness Australia, three million people in 2022 were at risk of homelessness, where one setback, like job loss or illness, could mean losing their home – up 63% since 2016.
College President Dr Michael Wright said homelessness is both a social and health issue.
‘People experiencing homelessness face some of the greatest health inequities in Australia,’ he said.
‘General practice has a critical role in improving these health outcomes, as GPs are often one of the few consistent and trusted professionals in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.’
The RACGP is calling for primary care funding and policy settings that better reflect the complexity of this work, including:
- enhanced Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) funding for people experiencing homelessness
- dedicated MBS items or loadings that recognise homelessness and housing insecurity as markers of clinical complexity
- increased support for longer consultations
- funding for multidisciplinary care teams, including nurses, social workers, care coordinators and allied health professionals
- models that support outreach and integrated care for vulnerable populations.
‘People experiencing homelessness often need more time, care coordination and ongoing support than current funding arrangements recognise,’ Dr Wright said.
The RACGP said improving health outcomes also requires action on the broader social determinants of health, including food security and community participation.
‘Everyone deserves access to safe housing and high-quality healthcare,’ Dr Wright said.
‘By strengthening primary care and addressing the social determinants of health, Australia can build a more equitable healthcare system and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.’
As part of national Homelessness Week, Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler attended the annual ‘Walk a Mile in My Boots’ fundraising event in South Australia, where thousands of community members come together to walk in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness.
Speaking from the Hutt St Centre, which offers essential health and wellbeing support to help people at risk of homelessness, Mr Butler said the event was an opportunity for conversations about ‘the scourge of homelessness in Australia’.
‘I’m delighted to be here as the Health Minister as well as a proud South Australian, because we run a program I started in 2023 that gives homeless people in Australia who are accessing a safe, trusted place at Hutt St also access to good medical care,’ he said.
‘Thousands of nurse visits, hundreds of doctor visits, that give homeless South Australians access to the sort of medical, nursing care that the rest of us take for granted.’
When asked whether the Government was doing enough given so many people were sleeping rough, Minister Butler said, ‘this event frankly reminds us all about the need to do more here’.
‘All governments are putting their shoulder to the wheel to give people the opportunity to get into a safe place, get into a home of their own. If they are on the streets, to get services that they need to keep themselves healthy and safe,’ he said.
‘Obviously, we have to do more.’
A recent
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report described the harsh living conditions, violence and disruption to daily functions, such as eating and sleeping, contributing to a range of adverse health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
This includes nutritional deficiencies and dental problems, chronic mental and physical health issues, as well as disability, the report said.
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