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Background
CHN’s 2024 After-Hours Health Needs Assessment (the Needs Assessment) identified significant gaps in after-hours primary health services preventing consumers from accessing affordable and appropriate services. It found these service gaps place a disproportionate burden on vulnerable populations, more specifically low-income families, older adults, and people with chronic conditions (2024-After-Hours-Needs-Assessment.pdf).
The Needs Assessment highlighted that access to GP after-hours services in the ACT was significantly lower than the national average, with a rate of 21.7 per 100 people compared with 29.5 per 100 people nationally. Additionally, consumer consultations indicated long wait times for after-hours appointments with GPs, where the practice operated after-hours, and out of pocket costs impacting their ability to access after-hours appointments (2024-After-Hours-Needs-Assessment.pdf).
In response, the aim of this activity is to address the unmet local need through the provision of additional after-hours appointments by general practices to support winter preparedness in the ACT.
Additional information regarding this grant process can be found on the After-Hours Winter Preparedness Grant Information Sheet.
What the grant can be used for
Applicants are advised this is a ONE-OFF funding amount and is NOT available as ongoing funding, and no extensions to activities are possible.
The funding will be provided based on the number of additional hours per week the general practice opens during the sociable after-hours during the funding period (1 May – 30 June 2026).
- The funds provided are to be utilised by the general practice to cover the cost of staff wages of administrative and nursing team members.
- A small communications budget is provided that allows the practice to inform their patient base of after-hours appointment availability during this period.
- The completion of a QI Project including details and submission to CHN on the provided template
Important Dates
- 17 April 2026: Grant opportunity open
- 24 April 2026: Deadline for questions and queries
- 28 April 2026: Grant opportunity closes
- 04 May 2026: Funding agreements provided to successful grantees for execution
- 30 June 2026: Grant funds must be exhausted
- 31 July 2026: Financial Acquittal Report and if relevant, QI Activity report
Additional Information
How to apply
Please use the After-hours Winter Preparedness Grant 2026 Grant Agreement form provided to apply for the grant.
For further information
For queries, please email grants@chnact.org.au.