GPs are having to see patients for longer appointments to treat more complex medical needs, a snapshot of Australian practice reveals.
The Health of the Nation report also finds a slight increase in the number of people delaying a visit to the doctor due to the cost of treatment.
Launched by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in Canberra on Tuesday, the report finds the average appointment time has increased in 2025 by one minute, to reach 19.7 minutes.
This highest increase since 2022 has been put down to an increasing complexity of consultations.
The nationwide survey of almost 2500 GPs also shows a growing number of practitioners are managing patient conditions typically handled by specialists.
It finds 86 per cent of GPs helped deliver more specialised care, with 57 per cent reporting doing it often.
"Limited specialist access and cost barriers drive this trend, underlining the need for improved integration and funding that reflects the true value of general practice," the report said.
"More than 70 per cent of GPs regularly managed presentations that would typically be seen in emergency departments or urgent care clinics."
The college's president Michael Wright said while value is recognised in being part of a multidisciplinary care team, workforce shortages persist.
The complexity of care being offered to patients had been increasing, he said, as gaps remain in funding and infrastructure.
"GPs are central for these models of care to function effectively," he said.
The report also found the portion of people delaying medical appointments due to cost rose from seven to 8.8 per cent in the past 12 months.
Dr Wright said the report's findings showed changes to Medicare were needed to properly fund longer and more complex appointments.
"Rates of chronic disease and mental health presentations are on the rise, our population is ageing, and 68 per cent of GPs pinpointed the increasing complexity of patient presentations as the greatest challenge facing the profession," he said.
"GPs are the first point of care for most people in our communities and there's no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history."
