There is no boring policy talk or political fluff here! Just an honest conversation about what the Federal Budget means for you, your team, and your practice. Budget Debrief: What it means for General Practice Date: 26 March 2025 Time: 7:00 pm (QLD time) You’re invited to a panel discussion with Chris Smeed, Kelly Chard, Riwka Hagen, and Bruce Willett on everything you need to know about the budget. We’ll break down the numbers, cut through the jargon, and call out what matters – with a few laughs. In this 60-minute online session, we’ll discuss: What’s in the budget for general practice? (And what’s missing?) Where’s the money going—and what does it mean for your practice? How will this impact your team, your patients, and the future of primary care? What can you do now to get ahead of the changes?

I recently spoke at the 'Property Matters for QLD female doctors' event. The talk covered essential insights into property investment, finance, and structuring strategies. This video addresses the unique challenges faced by female doctors, such as navigating maternity leave, managing career transitions, and balancing work-life commitments. The goal is to support you in making informed decisions about your financial future, regardless of your current life stage.

I am excited to speak at this upcoming "Property Matters for QLD Female Doctors" webinar, which is designed specifically for female doctors in Queensland. This webinar will provide essential insights into property investment, finance, and structuring strategies. We will also address female doctors' unique challenges, such as navigating maternity leave, managing career transitions, and balancing work-life commitments. Our goal is to support you in making informed decisions about your financial future, regardless of your current life stage. Finance strategies for Queensland doctors, including access to 95% no LMI* policies and insights on how future income can enhance borrowing potential. Guidance on transitioning from PAYG to contractor/self-employment income and managing various life events. An overview of income trajectories, tax benefits, gearing methods, property ownership structures, and land tax thresholds. Current market trends and essential tips for selecting a strong investment property, with key factors specific to Queensland, are provided. Date: Thursday, 14 November 2024 Time: 7pm AEST Duration: 60 minutes

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new careers page   at  GrowthMD . What awaits at  GrowthMD : 😊 A supportive and flexible work environment 😊 Opportunities for growth and advancement 😊 Competitive salary package, plus excellent health benefits 😊 Social events and smiles and friendly banter every day Being part of a fantastic award-winning team in a friendly firm. Do you know someone who would be a great fit? Visit our new careers page .

Paul Elmslie (CEO of HealthCert Education ) interviewed me about the recent changes to the payroll tax that impact medical practice owners in most Australian states. Paul and I discuss: What has changed in payroll tax regulations for medical practices? How the changes impact practice owners. The anticipated flow-on effects for patients. Proactive measures and strategies to help practice owners manage the changes and minimise the impact on their business. Recommended resources and guidance for practices seeking comprehensive support in navigating GP payroll tax complexities.

I was recently interviewed by Medicubes hosts Chris Meed and Kim Poyer about the complexities of payroll tax for medical practices in Australia. Exploring practice managers' challenges provides insights into recent changes and offers practical advice for navigating this intricate landscape. Key Points: Impact of Payroll Tax: Payroll tax management is a complex issue affecting the longevity of medical practices. This paper highlights its significance and challenges. Importance of Expert Advice: Business owners are encouraged to seek professional advice to navigate payroll tax intricacies and ensure compliance. Payroll Tax Updates: Delving into the specifics of recent payroll tax updates, particularly in New South Wales, including the 12-month pause on audit activity and new bulk billing rebate thresholds. Bulk Billing Definition: How bulk billing percentages are calculated and the exemptions applicable before and after September 4th. Surcharging Practices: The relevance and challenges of payroll tax surcharging, including different state approaches and software solutions to streamline the process. Flow of Funds: Comparison of traditional and new payment approaches to reduce payroll tax exposure, focusing on the favourable guidelines in Queensland.

Superannuation obligations for contractors in Medical Practices are an area of risk and misunderstanding. The rules have evolved over the last few years, and the ATO is cracking down. In my latest video, I delve into the implications of superannuation for contractors who provide services to your healthcare business—an area where many medical practices often stumble. While most of us know that superannuation is payable on employee wages at the government-set rate of 11.5% for 2025, the rules can become quite complex when applied to contractors.

Commissioner's Practice Note CPN 036 - Relief to Medical Centres Release Date: August 23, 2024 The NSW State Government has finally released details on the previously announced payroll tax relief measures, which medical practices may choose to implement from 4 September 2024. In this post, we’ll break down what’s new, how it works, and what you need to know to make sure your medical practice is making informed decisions in relation to the application of the rebate and payroll tax registration. Available Relief The relief comes in two main forms: Exemption : Medical centres will receive an exemption for any unpaid payroll tax due on wages paid or payable to relevant GPs before September 4, 2024. Rebate : A rebate will be available for payroll tax on wages paid or payable to GP contractors on or after September 4, 2024, provided specific conditions are met. How the Rebate Works The rebate is designed to reduce the payroll tax impact in medical practices where GPs work under relevant contracts and where there is a high bulk billing percentage. To qualify for the rebate, medical practices must meet a certain threshold of bulk billing services for the financial year. The required threshold is 80% for practices in Sydney Metro and 70% for those in other areas of NSW. The rebate, if eligible, will be a direct reduction in taxable wages for qualifying GP payments. Detailed Eligibility Criteria - % thresholds Understandably, medical practices are keen to calculate their eligibility for the rebate and where they sit percentage-wise concerning the 70% or 80% threshold. Below are the key details you need to know before calculating your percentage: Practice-Level Calculation : The relevant proportion of bulk billing services is calculated at the practice level, not at the level of individual practitioners. Service-Based Calculation : The calculation is based on services (commonly referred to as "items") rather than the number of appointments, consultations, or billing values. Registrar Services : Services provided by registrars (trainees) are excluded from the percentage calculation. Employee Doctors : Services provided by doctors who are engaged as employees are included in the calculation; however, the wages paid to these doctors do not qualify for the rebate. Location-Specific Calculation : The rebate is location-specific, meaning that medical practices operating multiple sites may find that payments to GPs are exempt at one location but not at another. Apportionment : If a GP works across multiple sites, the rebate may be apportioned if the relevant percentage for exemption is not met at each site. Included and Excluded Services The following table summarises which services are included in the total service count and which are eligible for the rebate: Service Type Total Service # A Rebate Eligible Service # B Bulk Billed Medicare Services Yes Yes Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Services Yes No WorkCover Services Yes No Privately Billed Services Yes No Non-Medicare Services (e.g., Overseas Visitors) Yes No Calculating your Relevant Proportion % The formula to calculate your percentage, referencing the columns above, is: Rebate Eligible Service (B) # divided by Total Service (A) # *Remember that registrar services are not included in the total service numbers, and separate calculations are required for providers working across different locations. Hot Tip: To obtain data, BP Software users can consider reviewing the report " Patient Contact and Billing Statistics—Individual Locations ." Example - Calculating the Rebate Amount The rebate amount for a financial year is determined by comparing the payroll tax payable with and without the inclusion of relevant GP wages. Example: Rebate Calculation (Example 10 from CPN 036) ABC Pty Ltd (the employer) is a medical centre that lodges and pays payroll tax monthly and it only pays wages in NSW. For November 2024, its wages were $550,000 of which $150,000 were relevant general practitioner wages. The threshold for the period would be: 30/365 x $1,200,000 = $ 98,630. Tax calculation including relevant GP wages ($550,000 - $98,630.14) x 5.45% = $24,599.66 Tax calculation excluding relevant GP wages ($550,000 - $150,000 - $98,630.14) x 5.45% = $16,424.66 The rebate is calculated on the difference $24,599.66 - $16,424.66 = $8,175 In this example, $16,424.66 of payroll tax is ultimately payable to Revenue NSW for the month. Next Steps It is important to note that this relief is for businesses that engage with doctors under relevant contracts. We suggest each practice obtain professional advice from specialised lawyers and accountants to determine its structure and whether there are alternate options or interpretations regarding its payroll tax obligations. Further, it is important to consider whether your practice will continue to meet the threshold criteria in the future and how this may impact future payroll tax liabilities. With the shift toward private billing to support practice sustainability, many medical practices will find it difficult to meet the 70% or 80% bulk billing threshold. After advice and consideration, if you want to take advantage of the NSW Payroll tax relief measures and are over the payroll tax registration threshold (including deemed payments to GPs), you must register for payroll tax and commence reporting taxable wages and GP-exempt wages. For practices that do not operate in the GP space or do not meet the relief criteria, it is time to consider alternative options, including your ongoing structure of operations, options for surcharges, and cash flow measures to cover any potential payroll tax liabilities. Conclusion The amendments introduced by the NSW State Government will offer some relief to eligible General Practices; however, with the industry's shift toward private billing, the number of eligible medical practices may be smaller than originally anticipated. Contact our team today for further advice or other specialised health accounting services.

I am excited to extend an exclusive invitation to the free online GP Success Summit 2024 for Australian General Practice Owners and Practice Managers. In the upcoming two weeks, immerse yourself in five meticulously curated sessions right from the comfort of your home or practice to equip you with the tools for scaling your practice and setting you up for success. Please save the date for July 8th. As a speaker in the first session at 7.30 pm, I look forward to joining esteemed experts to lead a conversation about planning. Our discussion will cover vital aspects of achieving growth, sustainability, and ultimate success for your general practice. Can’t make the live sessions? We have you covered; everyone who registers will receive access to the custom-built replay portal and podcast replay.

You are invited to join me in a panel discussion with the team at Best Practice Software to help you navigate payroll tax changes and announcements across all states and territories. It will be an opportunity to examine the recent announcements in depth, reflect on the ongoing changes in this space, and consider how they may affect your practice. Register below.