The Australian Government is investing $220 million in grants, over two years from 2022-23 to 2023-24, through the Strengthening Medicare – GP Grants Program (the Program), to support general practices and eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
Registrations have now closed for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program.
What is the purpose of the program?
To provide funding to general practices and eligible ACCHOs to make improvements to their practices to expand patient access and support safe, and accessible, quality primary care.
What can the grants be used for?
A single one-off grant was available to eligible general practices and ACCHOs to invest in innovation, training, equipment, and minor capital works in any one or more of the three investment streams below:
- Enhancing digital health capability – to fast-track the benefits of a more connected healthcare system in readiness to meet future standards;
- Upgrading infection prevention and control arrangements – to support the safe, face to face assessment of patients with symptoms of potentially infectious respiratory diseases (e.g. COVID, influenza);
- Maintaining or achieving accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practice (5th Edition), under the General Practice Accreditation Scheme – to promote quality and safety in general practice.
The Program provides the flexibility for general practices and eligible ACCHOs to fund activities within the three investment streams to best address their needs.
GP Grant Quick Reference Guide
The quick reference guide provides guidance on how to apply for and participate in the General Practice Grant Program, including examples of investment activities under each investment stream.
Key dates
- Friday, 21 April 2023: Grant invitations sent to practices.
- Thursday, 15 June 2023: Deadline for practices to complete the registration form.
- Sunday, 30 June 2024: Deadline for practices to spend their grant funds.
- 31 July 2024: Deadline for practices to complete the Financial Acquittal Report and Self-Evaluation Survey
Financial Acquittal Report and Self-Evaluation Survey
As indicated in the funding agreement the grantee is required to submit a Financial Acquittal Report and Self-Evaluation Survey.
The Financial Acquittal Report is a short online form which describes how the grant has been used and ensures that the funds have been spent in accordance with the grant agreement. Grant recipients
do not need to submit tax invoices/receipts or other evidence of their investment activity. However, grant recipients must keep accurate records and proof of investments on how their practice has used the grant. This includes tax invoices, receipts, and/or other written evidence of investment activity/ies undertaken (e.g. relevant staff timesheets, training certificates, relevant meeting records).
To acquit your grant, follow the below activities:
The Financial Acquittal Report must be submitted as soon as funds have been spent or before the 31 July 2024.
The Self-Evaluation Survey also needs to be completed online. The Survey will provide valuable data to the Department of Health and Aged Care on the GP Grants Program.
Random Assurance Checks – Compliance
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (The Department) is performing random checks of general practices that received grant funding under the Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program. These checks are to provide assurance that funding has been spent on eligible activities.
This letter outlining the assurance check requirements will be sent to around 30 randomly selected practices by The Department.
How can SEMPHN assist?
To assist practices to complete the report, SEMPHN has sent emails to practices advising of the requirements to complete the report. The email was sent to the Practice Owner/s or Authorised person (Grantee representative) nominated in the Grant Agreement.
SEMPHN has provided the following information to assist practices in completing the form:
- Full legal name of Grantee (Practice name)
- Trading as/Business name
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Primary Health Network (PHN)
- Address of General Practice
- General Practice email address
- Agreement ID number.
If you received a GP Grant and do not receive an email from the grants@semphn.org.au inbox by 13 March 2024 with the above information, please email grants@semphn.org.au.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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