Australian medical groups are urging state and federal governments to increase funding in rural areas following a report that revealed a $6.5 billion healthcare funding shortfall for rural Australians. The report, commissioned by the National Rural Health Alliance and conducted by the Nous Group, found that each person in rural Australia is missing out on almost $850 per year in healthcare access compared to those in urban areas. The lack of access to healthcare services in rural areas not only discourages people from living in these regions but also leads to poorer health outcomes and hinders the productivity of rural industries. The report highlighted disparities in government health funding between urban and rural areas, showing significant increases in expenditure for urban regions compared to rural and regional areas over a period of 11 years. Leading medical groups, including the National Rural Health Alliance and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, are calling for an increase in funding, the implementation of a place-based multidisciplinary model of primary health care, and the development of a national rural health strategy. These measures would address the barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas and ensure that rural communities have access to healthcare services tailored to their needs. The report also emphasized the importance of providing higher salaries, housing, and increased opportunities for international medical graduates to work in rural and remote areas. The funding boost and improvements in healthcare delivery in rural areas would alleviate the burden of illness and early death experienced by rural Australians and ultimately benefit the entire healthcare system.