Background: Why Bulk Billing Incentives Were Increased

In recent years, concerns about the declining rate of bulk billing across Australia prompted the federal government to act. Many GP practices, particularly in urban areas, moved away from bulk billing standard patients, citing the gap between MBS fees and the true cost of running a practice. This meant more Australians were facing out-of-pocket costs for GP visits, creating access barriers for lower-income households.

In response, the Australian Government announced a significant increase to bulk billing incentive payments — one of the largest investments in general practice Medicare funding in the scheme's history.

What Changed?

The key changes to Medicare bulk billing incentives include:

  • Tripling of bulk billing incentives for GP consultations with children under 16, Commonwealth concession card holders, and patients in regional and remote areas
  • Incentive payments now apply to a broader range of consultation types, including longer consultations
  • Increased incentive amounts for telehealth bulk billing, encouraging more GPs to offer no-cost phone and video consultations
  • Additional incentives for practices in Modified Monash Model areas 3–7 (regional, rural, and remote locations), where access to healthcare has historically been more challenging

Who Benefits?

For Patients

If you hold a Commonwealth concession card (such as a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card), or if you are the parent of a child under 16, there is now a stronger financial incentive for your GP to bulk bill you. This should translate to more practices offering zero-cost consultations for these groups.

Patients in regional and rural areas also stand to benefit significantly, as the higher incentives are specifically designed to make bulk billing more financially viable for practices serving these communities.

For Healthcare Providers

For GP practices and clinics, the tripled incentive payments make bulk billing a more commercially sustainable option. This is particularly meaningful for practices that were charging modest gap fees — the additional incentive payment may now bridge the gap between the MBS fee and the cost of providing care.

What About Standard Patients?

The incentive boost is primarily targeted at vulnerable and priority groups. For standard adult patients without a concession card, the incentive increase is more modest. However, some GP practices have indicated they will use the overall improved Medicare funding environment to expand their bulk billing policies to all patients.

It's worth checking with your regular GP practice whether their bulk billing policies have changed as a result of the incentive increase.

Telehealth Expansion

The updated incentives also signal the government's commitment to making telehealth a permanent, accessible part of the Australian healthcare system. Bulk billing telehealth consultations — whether by phone or video — for eligible patients now attract improved rebates, making it easier to see a GP from home at no cost.

How to Find Out If You Are Eligible for Bulk Billing

  • Check your concession card status via myGov or the Services Australia website
  • Ask your GP practice directly whether they bulk bill your patient category
  • Use the Health Direct Service Finder (healthdirect.gov.au) to locate bulk billing GPs near you

Looking Ahead

The federal government has signalled that Medicare investment in general practice will continue to be a priority. Future changes to the MBS, including potential updates to indexation of rebates, are expected to be considered as part of ongoing budget planning. Australians are encouraged to stay informed via the Department of Health and Aged Care website and Services Australia announcements.

For the latest updates to Medicare policy and fee schedules, visit the official MBS Online website at mbsonline.gov.au.