AMAV VICDOC Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 67
PAYROLL TAX REFORM: A POSITIVE RESULT
FOR VICTORIAN GENERAL PRACTICE
AHPRA- REGISTRATION FEES FOR HEALTHCARE
PRACTITIONERS ON PARENTAL LEAVE
General practice is vital for keeping
Victorians out of hospital. After listening
to advocacy from the sector, the State
Government has announced changes that
deliver certainty and clarity to Victorian
general practices. While AMA Victoria
acknowledges that there will be costs
associated with this transition for practices
that are not currently paying payroll tax
on GP contractor wages, it is positive news
for general practices, general practitioners
and Victorians.
AMA Victoria has written to Ahpra
regarding registration fees for healthcare
practitioners on parental leave. Specifically,
the letter addresses Ahpra's refusal
to provide any registration category
or mechanism to reduce fees to assist
practitioners on parental leave, despite
requests for change.
The letter argues that Ahpra's fee-setting
policies fail to consider principles of equity,
emphasising the need to accounting for
each person’s different circumstances. It
contends that fee setting with consideration
of principles of equity requires allocation
of resources and opportunities such that
an equal outcome is achieved. Specifically
in regard to parental leave, the principles
of equity mean that practitioners who
take a period of parental leave should
be offered a mechanism to reduce fees,
given the reduction in income associated
with parental leave, the lowered risk from
practitioners who are practicing less for
a defined period, the obviously gendered
nature of the impact and the legislated
requirement that the scheme function
"to enable the continuous development
of a flexible, responsive and sustainable
Australian health workforce”.
The letter challenges Ahpra's assertion
that it is constrained from providing fee
reductions, pointing out the agency's broad
discretion in fee-setting and the absence of
specific legislative barriers.
Furthermore, the letter critique’s
Ahpra's suggestion for practitioners
on parental leave to apply for nonpractising registration, citing practical
and financial obstacles.
In summary, the letter urges Ahpra
to revise its fee-setting policy to reflect
equity principles and calls for transparent
clarification on why reduced fees for
parental leave practitioners have not yet
been offered.
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More: AMAV Hub
HEALTH SERVICES PLAN UPDATE
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AMA Victoria has endeavoured to keep
members informed of our ongoing efforts
to advocate for transparent communication
regarding the Victorian Government’s
Health Services Plan. This initiative,
as described by the Government, aims
to consider the optimal design and
governance of the public health system,
with a focus on improving care for all
Victorians by enhancing collaboration
among public health services. The goal
is for reform to address the fragmented
delivery of healthcare by promoting a more
integrated approach, streamlining patient
journeys, ensuring continuity of care and
reducing the inefficiencies caused by the
current decentralised system.
More: AMAV Hub
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VI CD O C WI NTER 2024
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