The Labor Government's decision to triple the bulk billing incentive in November 2023 has been described as a "game changer" by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, generating an additional 100,000 bulk-billed GP visits each week. This $3.5 billion investment has successfully reversed what doctors had described as a "free fall" in bulk billing rates thanks to the Coalition.

The improvement has been seen across every state and territory, with the most significant increases in areas traditionally struggling with lower bulk billing rates—Tasmania saw a 5.6 percentage point jump to 71.9%, the Northern Territory increased by 4.5 points to 76%, and South Australia rose by 3.8 points to 74.5%.

The enhanced incentives particularly benefit those who need to see their GP most often: pensioners, concession cardholders, and families with children under 16, with approximately 90% of GP visits for children now being bulk billed. Around 40% of the additional bulk-billed services have been delivered in rural and regional areas, helping to address geographical healthcare inequities.

Summary:

• 6 million additional bulk-billed GP visits between November 2023 and December 2024

• Increase of 1.9 percentage points in national bulk billing rates to 77.5%

• 90% of GP visits for children under 16 are now bulk billed

• Rural and regional areas have received 40% of the additional bulk-billed services

• Every state and territory has seen increases in bulk billing rates

Update:

[1] https://alp.org.au/news/6-million-additional-bulk-billed-gp-visits-since-albanese-governments-historic-investment/

[2] https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/increases-to-bulk-billing-incentive-payments

[3] https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/tripled-incentive-leads-to-gp-bulk-billing-spike#:~:text=The%20yearly%20visits%20equate%20to,since%20the%20incentives%20were%20tripled.

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/04/doctor-visits-bulk-billing-incentives-health-minister-medicare