ACRRM grew across almost every measure in 2025-26, with more money, more staff, and more registrars, according to its latest annual report.
Revenue alone increased by 28% on 2024-25, to $112.2 million.
“The official recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a medical specialty in September 2025 was a landmark achievement for our profession, our College and, most importantly, the communities we serve,” immediate past ACRRM president Dr Rod Martin said.
In the past financial year, there were a total of 7652 members – a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Of its members, 7.7% (183) were First Nations.
Across the board, the college’s ranks increased.
The college saw a 5.5% increase in its fellows, totalling 2414, but the largest increase was in medical educators, up almost 24% from the previous year to a total of 203.
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Queensland accounted for almost 30% of ACRRM membership, with a total of 2252 fellows, followed by New South Wales and the ACT (1747) and Victoria (1326).
Similarly, among registrars, roughly 35% were based in QLD (453), followed by NSW and the ACT at 18% (234) and Victoria at 16% (210).
“Securing funding to deliver RG training through to 2030 was another important achievement. It provides stability for the College and confidence for registrars, training sites and communities. Most importantly, it allows us to continue building the RG workforce Australia needs,” said ACRRM CEO Marita Cowie.
However, when it came to accredited training positions, most were in NSW and the ACT, totalling 28% (336 posts) of ACRRM’s total 1184. Comparatively, QLD had the lowest proportion of training posts relative to its number of registrars, totalling 24% (286 posts).
A total of 1104 summative assessments were conducted throughout the year, up 124 on the previous financial year, while pass rates remained consistently strong at 84%.
Surplus up, cash down
ACCRM recorded roughly $112.2 million in revenue, up from $87.9 million the previous year. The vast majority (87.5%, or $98.2 million) was grant income for GP training from the Department of Health and Ageing.
Meanwhile, its sponsorship revenue fell by 29% ($221,395) from the previous year to $550,864. However, the report did not explain the drop.
The college’s total grant spending of $98.4 million exceeded its allocated income by about $223,000.
Overall, the college reported a surplus of roughly $3.05 million – $202,850 higher than the previous year.
Approximately $1.4 million came from the college’s own operations, and just over $1.6 million from interest and investments, including approximately $348,600 in unrealised investment gains, down from roughly $701,200 last year.
Last year, ACRRM had $70.3 million in the bank, but this fell to $58.3 million. Most of the fall came from the college’s day-to-day operating expenses.
The college’s operating cash flow was negative $9.8 million, compared with a positive $14.1 million in 2025 – a swing of about $24 million.
Spending grew quickly. Employee headcount rose from 257 to 296, an increase of roughly 15.2%, and employee benefits expenses, program and non-program combined, rose by almost one-third (32%) to $31.9 million, according to the college’s financial statements.
Meanwhile, college-led training grant expenses and strategic funding expenses rose by roughly 53% to $60.8 million.
Read the full report here.
The post ACRRM grows across the board, but grants drive revenue appeared first on Medical Republic.
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