Deadline: 08-Sep-2024
The Tasmanian Department of Health has released Grant Round 1 of the General Practice Sustainability and Viability Initiative, designed to support general practices in rural and regional areas, and in some cases those in outer urban areas where particular disadvantage or significant need can be demonstrated, to strengthen and sustain their business and service models to improve the sustainability and viability of the practice for the benefit of all Tasmanians.
The grants will assist general practices to offer innovative models of patient care, particularly those that improve ongoing access to services for Tasmanians living in rural and remote communities (for example, the use of nurse practitioners), provide outreach services to areas of particular disadvantage or need, invest in capital equipment or building requirements and professional development and training of staff.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to work in collaboration with the Australian Government to strengthen the primary care sector in Tasmania and support access in thin market areas. The General Practice Sustainability and Viability Initiative (the Initiative) enhances that commitment.
Funding Information
- Grants will be for a fixed period of up to two years. The maximum grant available is $250 000 per business, per annum (i.e., a maximum amount of $500 000 per business over two years).
- Grant funding will be allocated across three Tiers as follows:
- Tier 1 grants.
- The total funding available will equal 15 per cent of the funding allocation which will be announced in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Tier 1 grants are for applications with a value of up to $50 000. Tier 1 grants will be provided on a once-off basis.
- Tier 2 grants.
- The total funding available will equal 60 per cent of the funding allocation which will be announced in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Tier 2 grants are for applications with a value between:
- $50 001 and $100 000 on a once-off basis, or
- up to $100 000 per year for two years (a maximum of $200 000).
- The total funding available will equal 60 per cent of the funding allocation which will be announced in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Tier 2 grants are for applications with a value between:
- Tier 3 grants.
- The total funding available will equal 25 per cent of the funding allocation which will be announced in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Tier 3 grants are for applications with a value between
- $100 001 and $250 000 on a once off basis, or
- up to $250 000 per year for two years (a maximum of $500 000).
- The total funding available will equal 25 per cent of the funding allocation which will be announced in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Tier 3 grants are for applications with a value between
- Tier 1 grants.
Funding Period
- Funding commences upon the successful applicant executing a legal funding agreement with the Department of Health and may be for any period of up to two year
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the grant, applicants must:
- be owners and operators of a physical, bricks and mortar, general practice and/or be owners and operators of a mobile general practice that utilises General Practitioners to provide patient care.
- have current RACGP accreditation.
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- demonstrate the ability to maintain ongoing compliance with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Act 1973, particularly Section 19(2) which prohibits the payment of Medicare benefits where other government funding is provided for, or in some way assists, the medical service(s) provided.
- be located in rural, regional and where particular disadvantage or significant need can be demonstrated, outer urban areas of Tasmania.
- Proposals that may be considered under the Initiative include, but are not limited to:
- innovative models of patient care, particularly those that improve ongoing access to services for Tasmanians living in rural and remote communities. For example, the use of nurse practitioners.
- provision of outreach services that provide support to communities/patient cohorts in rural and remote areas or particular disadvantage or need.
- capital works projects (including building, equipment, IT) which show an ongoing benefit to the local community post completion and support sustainability and viability.
- major software or hardware upgrades.
- professional development to enhance services e.g., support staff getting qualified certificate iii/iv/diploma courses or post graduate training for nursing or allied health staff.
For more information, visit Tasmanian Department of Health.
