The Albanese Government has unveiled the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation more than 40 years ago, with an $8.5 billion package aimed at expanding bulk billing, increasing access to doctors, and lowering healthcare costs for Australian families.
Under the reforms, bulk billing incentives will now be paid to GPs for every patient they bulk bill, marking a major shift from the previous system, which limited incentives to children under 16 and concession card holders.
The Federal Government says the new investment will deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year, helping ensure that nine out of ten GP visits are bulk-billed by 2030.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the initiative reaffirms Labor’s legacy as the architect and defender of Medicare.
“Labor built Medicare, and now we’re strengthening it and improving health care for all Australians,” PM Albanese said.
“No Australian should have to check their bank balance to see if they can afford to see a doctor. That is not who we are, and that is not the future we want for Australia.”
According to the Government, the reforms will triple the number of fully bulk-billing practices across the nation from 1,600 to approximately 4,800 by the end of the decade.
Already, more than 1,000 GP clinics that previously used mixed billing have converted to full bulk billing, joining the 1,600 existing practices.
Australian patients and families are expected to save $859 million annually in out-of-pocket costs by 2030.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the expansion of the bulk billing system will make healthcare more equitable and accessible across every region.
“I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need,” Minister Butler said.
“Every electorate in the country will now have GP practices that bulk bill every patient.”
Minister Butler said the reforms were also aimed at reversing the decline in bulk billing that followed “a decade of cuts and neglect” under the previous Coalition government.
“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and that’s what the Albanese Government is delivering,” he said.
The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) allows GP practices to calculate their financial benefit and register online through health.gov.au/BBPIP.
The Government says the funding builds on the three largest increases to Medicare rebates in decades, with a focus on restoring trust between patients and primary healthcare providers.
Prime Minister Albanese said the investment delivers on a key election commitment and reflects Labor’s philosophy of fairness and inclusion.
“Delivering more bulk billing for every Australian lifts up our entire nation,” he said.
“It ensures no one is held back, and no one is left behind.”
Key outcomes of the Medicare boost
- $8.5 billion investment — largest in Medicare history
- 18 million additional bulk billed GP visits each year
- 9 in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030
- 4,800 fully bulk billing GP practices by 2030 (triple the current number)
- $859 million in annual patient savings
With the new investment, the Government hopes to make it easier, fairer, and cheaper for Australians to see a doctor, reinforcing Medicare’s role as the cornerstone of the nation’s healthcare system.
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