To review innovative models of primary care in different countries in order to identify potential mechanisms for reforming primary care policy in Australia.

We conducted a narrative review and synthesis of evidence about models of primary care from four English-speaking comparator countries (New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States) and one European country (The Netherlands), with a particular focus on the relevance and applicability of these models to Australia.

We identified four key mechanisms for bringing about reform in primary care: flexible funding, quality frameworks, regional-level primary care organisations, and primary care infrastructure. These mechanisms are interdependent.

There are tensions and tradeoffs involved in balancing professional and bureaucratic control and in linking quality and accountability mechanisms. Enhanced linkage between researchers, policymakers and professional groups could assist in exploring options for effective primary care reform.