One size doesn’t fit all – providing GPs with the right cover
General practice covers a wide range of activities. Some GPs choose to perform specialised procedures requiring further training, qualifications or experience. We’ve created different categories of practice to make sure your risks are appropriately covered based on the mix of healthcare activities you provide.
Procedural or non-procedural? That is the question
Non-procedural GPs are involved in consultative family medicine for a wide range of medical conditions. Some minor procedures may be covered under this category, such as local anaesthesia, IV pain relief and basic nerve blocks. Skin cancer checks and minor excisions are covered in this category when the GP does not work in a skin cancer clinic.
GPs providing healthcare beyond this are considered as being in one of our GP procedural categories, of which we have three:
- Procedural standard
- Procedural non-standard
- Procedural obstetrics.
If you are a procedural GP, you need to select which one of these categories is most appropriate for you, depending on the procedures you perform. For example, if you practise in specialised skin cancer medicine or work in a skin cancer clinic, you will select GP procedural standard. If you administer certain anaesthetics, do surgical assisting, or perform arthroscopies, you will select GP procedural non-standard.
How this affects you
Your category of practice determines what types of procedures you are covered for. We use information about you and your specialty, including our claims data, to understand your risk and calculate premiums. It’s also a requirement of your Medical Board registration to have appropriate indemnity arrangements in place for the healthcare that you provide.
GPs working in rural or remote areas often provide a broader range of procedural services to support patients who find it difficult to visit a specialist or hospital. The government’s Premium Support Scheme (PSS) may offset insurance premiums so rural and remote doctors have access to premium support for offering a broader range of healthcare services.
Talk to us
It is important to us that you have the right level of cover. We work hard to provide fair pricing based on the level of risk, with stable premiums that protect your financial and professional interest.
If you are unsure of what GP category you fall into, email memberservices@avant.org.au or call us on 1800 128 268.
More resources
Avant Practitioner Indemnity Insurance Product Disclosure Statement and Category of Practice Guide (page 41)
Factsheet - Claims and complaints insights: General practitioners
Professional indemnity insurance products are issued by Avant Insurance Limited (ACN 003 707 471, AFSL 238 765) (‘AIL’). The information provided by AIL is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consider these, having regard to the appropriateness of the advice, and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording (available at www.avant.org.au), before deciding to purchase or continue to hold these products. © Avant Mutual Group Limited 2026