The deadline for submissions to the parliamentary inquiry into access to and affordability of medical specialists has been extended to Friday, 27 November 2026. The extension gives ASA members an extra five weeks to share your professional experience directly with the Committee.
The inquiry is examining specialist workforce distribution, referral pathways, affordability and out-of-pocket costs, the effects of delayed care, and emerging models of service delivery across Australia.
The ASA's submission
In this detailed submission, the Australian Society of Anaesthetists says improving access and affordability requires more than a narrow focus on specialist fees. Patients’ out-of-pocket costs are shaped by the interaction between specialist workforce availability and hospital capacity, referral pathways, Medicare benefits, private health insurer benefits, specialist fees and the information available to patients before treatment.
Further reading: ASA calls for coordinated action on specialist access and affordability
Have you say
ASA members are strongly encouraged to make an individual submission by Friday, 27 November 2026.
Members may wish to provide evidence on barriers to accessing anaesthesia or specialist services, regional and rural workforce pressures, delayed or cancelled care, the inadequacy of Medicare or private health insurer benefits, patient affordability concerns, and practical examples from their professional experience.
- Read the ASA submission
- View Inquiry home page and terms of reference
- How to prepare and lodge your submission
Submissions can be uploaded to the Parliament website or sent directly to the Committee Secretariat via email at Health.Reps@aph.gov.au.