Experiences with own GP(s)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over who were physically present at the interview and who lived outside remote areas were asked to rate, in the last 12 months, how often their General Practitioner(s) (GPs):
- explained things in a way they could understand
- listened to them
- showed respect for what they had to say
- spent enough time with them.
Most rated their experiences with their GPs quite highly – 90% (or an estimated 373,000 and 371,000 of 414,000, respectively) felt their GPs usually or always explained things in a way they could understand and listened to them, 91% (or 377,000) felt their GP usually or always showed respect for what they had to say, and around 86% (or 357,000) felt their GP usually or always spent enough time with them (Table 8).
In the last 12 months, how often did GP(s) | Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Usually | Always | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explain things clearly | 0.6* | 1.8 | 7.6 | 20.5 | 69.8 | 100.0 |
Listen | 1.1* | 2.3 | 7.0 | 19.1 | 70.5 | 100.0 |
Show respect | 1.0* | 2.4* | 5.6 | 16.2 | 75.0 | 100.0 |
Spend enough time | 1.3* | 5.3 | 6.9 | 20.4 | 65.9 | 100.0 |
In the last 12 months, how often did GP(s) | Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Usually | Always | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explain things clearly | 1.4 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 18.1 | 69.7 | 100.0 |
Listen | 1.3 | 2.3 | 7.6 | 16.7 | 71.9 | 100.0 |
Show respect | 0.8 | 2.2 | 6.0 | 15.2 | 75.9 | 100.0 |
Spend enough time | 1.7* | 4.3 | 6.5 | 18.0 | 69.6 | 100.0 |
* Estimate has a relative standard error between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution.
Notes:
- Questions only asked of those aged 15 and over who were physically present at the interview and lived in non-remote areas.
- 2012–13 did not include ‘Rarely’ as a category.
- Data are population weighted estimates.
Source: AIHW analysis of 2018–19 and 2022–23 NATSIHS using TableBuilder (ABS 2019, 2025).
While those with a consistent source of health care were likely to rate their GP highly (by giving them a score of ‘always’ on the 4 aspects), the proportions were higher across three of the four aspects of their experiences with their GPs for those who were with a mainstream GP compared with those who were with an AMS/CC (noting that this question only captures those in non-remote areas, where more people attend mainstream GPs) (Figure 31).
Figure 31: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over in non-remote areas, experience with GP of ‘always’ in the last 12 months for those whose usual source of health care was an AMS/CC or a mainstream GP, 2022–23
Bar chart shows that in 2022–23, for 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over in non-remote areas who usually used a GP, in the last 12 months their GP always showed respect.
| Experience with GP of 'always' | AMS/CC | Mainstream GP |
|---|---|---|
| Explained things clearly | 66.0 | 74.5 |
| Listened | 69.2 | 75.1 |
| Showed respect | 72.7 | 80.0 |
| Spent enough time | 70.0 | 69.7 |
Notes:
- Includes only those who always used the same source of health care.
- Data are population weighted estimates.
Source: AIHW analysis of 2022–23 NATSIHS using TableBuilder (ABS 2025).
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2013) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2012–13: TableBuilder [TableBuilder], ABS, Australian Government, accessed 3 February 2025.
—— (2019) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2018–19: TableBuilder [TableBuilder], ABS, Australian Government, accessed 3 February 2025.
—— (2025) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2022–23: TableBuilder [TableBuilder], ABS, Australian Government, accessed 11 April 2025.