Understanding the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) Practice Stream

The Workforce Incentive Program (WIP-Practice Stream) provides financial incentives that will support the growth of team-based multidisciplinary care models in eligible general practices.

These financial incentives help offset the costs associated with expanding multidisciplinary care models, supporting medical practices to employ Nurses, Midwives, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and eligible allied health professionals. The WIP – Practice Stream replaced the Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP) in early 2020.

The Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) Practice Stream aims to build a sustainable and high-quality health workforce by encouraging multidisciplinary and team-based models of care in general practices accredited or registered for accreditation with the RACGP.

The Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) Practice Stream includes the following incentives:

• quarterly incentive payments to engage eligible health professionals
• rural loading of up to 60% for practices in MM3-7 locations
• annual loading for practices providing general practitioner services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card holders.

The amount a practice gets depends on the:

• practice size, measured in Standardised Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE)
• type of eligible health professionals
• average hours eligible health professionals work each week
• type of practice and its location.

Indicative annual incentive amounts based on SWPE values as at 1 July 2024:

Resources with more information include:

• Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) – Practice Stream reporting fact sheet
• Workforce Incentive Program – Practice Stream (WIP-PS) (frequently asked questions)
• Practice Stream Obligations (website)
• Workforce Incentive Practice Stream (eLearning)
• WIP-PS Quarterly Confirmation Statement (guide) Practices should receive their QCS by the 15th day of the point-in-time month (January, April, July, or October). If the QCS has not been received by the due date, contact Health professionals contact information – Health professionals – Services Australia.
• WIP – Practice Stream – Applications can be done online through PRODA and HPOS or using a form.