Health Practitioners in Primary Schools Program

Purpose

To assist schools by funding health practitioners—general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners—to provide a free service to students 1 day per week in school-based clinics at 20 participating state primary schools across Queensland.

Health practitioners will identify health concerns that impact on student learning and facilitate direct referrals to medical specialists and allied health professionals when required.

The first 10 schools commenced service delivery across Semester 2 2024 and Semester 1 2025. The final 10 schools commence service delivery in Semester 2 2025. All 20 schools will be delivering a health practitioner service by the end of Semester 2 2025.

Duration of program

1 July 2024–31 December 2027

Eligibility

20 state primary schools selected to participate based on level of need.

Allocation of funds

In Semester 1 2024, a one-off payment of $30,000 for the first 10 schools totalling $300,000 was made to establish a fit-for-purpose clinic room to deliver a primary healthcare service.

As part of the funding, $10.73 million is being invested to place health practitioners in 20 primary schools to support families and children to access primary healthcare and facilitate referrals for further support.

Each participating school will receive $30,000 to contribute towards infrastructure and equipment costs to establish a fit-for-purpose healthcare clinic on school grounds and operating funding to:

• employ an administrative coordinator 2 days per week to support the day-to-day running of the school-based clinic
• engage a health practitioner to provide a free primary healthcare service to students including funding to contribute towards travel costs for health practitioners that reside outside the community where they are providing the service
• support students' access for referrals to medical specialists and allied health; and for a program lead to oversee the program.

Payment details

Payment for first 10 schools

*The first 10 schools received the following payments:

• June 2024—$30,000 once-off infrastructure payment
• September 2024 and February 2025—funding for schools to operate the service.

Recoupment policy

Funds may be recouped if a participating school opts out of this program.

Further information

Further information can be found on the primary healthcare services in schools pag​e.

Contact

Manager, Student Wellbeing
State Schools—Disability, Inclusion and Student Services
Phone: (07) 3513 5918