A child gazes at a distant, shrinking doctor's office, symbolizing reduced access to pediatric healthcare.

Are Australian Kids Seeing the Doctor Less? Unpacking the Trends in GP Visits

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals shifts in general practice visits among Australian children, sparking questions about access to care and potential health implications."

For years, there's been a nagging question in Australian healthcare: are our kids seeing the doctor as often as they should? Concerns have risen about potential declines in general practitioner (GP) visits for children, but solid research has been lacking to truly understand these trends over the past decade.

Now, a new study has shed light on this critical issue. Researchers delved into the trends in GP visits using data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database, linked with information from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). This comprehensive approach allowed them to track GP visit patterns in two distinct groups of children: infants (aged 0-1 years in 2004) and children (aged 4-5 years in 2004), providing a valuable picture of how healthcare usage has evolved.

The study analyzed GP visits claimed under specific MBS item numbers (1-51, 597, 599, 601, 602, 5000-5067, and 715) between March 1, 2002, and February 28, 2011. By examining these records, researchers were able to identify significant shifts in how often Australian children are visiting their GPs, raising important questions about access to primary care and its potential impact on child health.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Declining GP Visits in Australian Children

A child gazes at a distant, shrinking doctor's office, symbolizing reduced access to pediatric healthcare.

The study revealed a concerning trend: a decrease in the average number of GP visits among young children. In the infant cohort, the mean number of visits plummeted from 7.6 in 2004-2005 to just 2.7 in 2010-2011. Interestingly, there was a brief increase in GP visits between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, but the overall trajectory points downward.

Even after accounting for various demographic and health factors, the decline in GP visits remained significant, particularly between 2008-2009 and 2010-2011. This suggests that factors beyond basic demographics are influencing how often children are seeing their doctors.

A growing number of children are skipping annual GP visits.
The percentage of infants without any GP visits during the year increased from 19.8% to 25.9% between 2003-2004 and 2010-2011.
The increase was even more pronounced in the child cohort, where the percentage of children with no annual GP visits jumped from 11.4% to a staggering 32.7%.

The researchers also compared GP visit numbers between the two cohorts for the same age groups. This revealed that 3-4-year-old children in the infant cohort (observed in 2006-2007) had significantly fewer GP visits than children of the same age in the child cohort (observed in 2002-2003). Similar trends were seen for 5-6-year-olds, further highlighting a potential shift in healthcare utilization.

Why the Decline? Potential Implications and Future Considerations

This study highlights a concerning trend: fewer Australian children are visiting their GPs. While the reasons behind this decline require further investigation, it raises important questions about access to primary care, potential underutilization of healthcare services among vulnerable populations, and the long-term implications for child health. Further research and policy considerations are needed to ensure that all Australian children have access to the healthcare they need to thrive.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5694/mja13.10105, Alternate LINK

Title: Trends In General Practice Services In Two Cohorts Of Australian Children Between 2003–2004 And 2010–2011

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Medical Journal of Australia

Publisher: AMPCo

Authors: Lixin Ou, Jack Chen, Kenneth Hillman

Published: 2013-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What were the main sources of information used to conduct this research on GP visits?

The study examined trends in General Practitioner (GP) visits among Australian children between 2003 and 2011. It used data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database, combined with information from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). This allowed researchers to track GP visit patterns in two groups: infants (0-1 years old in 2004) and children (4-5 years old in 2004). Analyzing GP visits claimed under specific MBS item numbers (1-51, 597, 599, 601, 602, 5000-5067, and 715) helped identify shifts in how often children visited GPs.

What specific trends in GP visits were observed in Australian children?

The study revealed a concerning decline in GP visits among Australian children. For infants, the mean number of GP visits dropped from 7.6 in 2004-2005 to 2.7 in 2010-2011. The percentage of infants with no GP visits in a year rose from 19.8% to 25.9% between 2003-2004 and 2010-2011. The child cohort saw an increase in the percentage of children with no annual GP visits, from 11.4% to 32.7%. These statistics suggest that fewer children are receiving regular primary care.

What role did the Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children play in the study?

The study used data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database, and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The MBS provided information on GP visits claimed, identified by specific item numbers. The LSAC provided additional context about the children, such as their demographics and health information. Linking these datasets allowed researchers to analyze GP visit patterns and identify trends within different cohorts of children.

What are the potential implications of fewer children visiting their General Practitioner (GP)?

The decline in General Practitioner (GP) visits among Australian children raises several potential implications. Fewer visits could lead to delayed diagnoses and treatment of health issues. Underutilization of healthcare services, especially among vulnerable populations, is a concern. The study highlights the need for further investigation into the reasons behind this decline and for policy considerations to ensure all children have access to necessary healthcare, which is crucial for their overall well-being.

How did the study compare GP visit patterns between different groups of children?

The study's findings highlight a potential shift in healthcare utilization among Australian children. Researchers compared GP visit numbers between the infant and child cohorts for the same age groups. Children in the infant cohort (observed in 2006-2007) had fewer GP visits than children of the same age in the child cohort (observed in 2002-2003). This shift suggests that factors, possibly those beyond basic demographics, may be influencing how often children are seeing their doctors, emphasizing the need for further research into the underlying causes and implications of this trend.