Bulk-billing rates for doctor visits across Australia have seen a significant rebound, climbing to over 81 percent between November 2025 and January 2026. This increase marks the first clear indication of the impact of the Albanese government’s $8.5 billion investment in strengthening Medicare, a commitment made during the lead up to the 2025 election.
The latest figures, released by the federal government, show a jump to 81.4 percent nationwide, a notable increase from the 77.6 percent recorded in the July to September quarter of the previous year. Health Minister Mark Butler hailed the rise as a direct result of the government’s policies, stating, “We promised Australians more bulk-billing and that is what we have delivered.” He added that more Australians are now finding it easier to access doctors who offer bulk-billing services across all states and territories.
The government’s initiative, designed to alleviate cost pressures on families, aims to make nine out of ten GP visits free by 2030. This is being achieved through an expansion of bulk-billing incentives, previously limited to children and concession card holders. Now, all GPs who bulk-bill patients receive a Medicare payment consisting of the standard rebate plus an incentive.
For a standard consultation in metropolitan areas, this payment amounts to approximately $63.50. Clinics that commit to bulk-billing all patients receive an additional quarterly payment, calculated as 12.5 percent of the practice’s total Medicare billing.
As of February 10, 2026, there are over 3,400 Medicare Bulk Billing Practices operating nationally, with 1,300 having transitioned from a mixed-billing model since the incentive changes were implemented.
The government estimates that this policy will save Australian families $859 million annually by 2030, with an anticipated 18 million additional bulk-billed GP visits each year. The Prime Minister stated that the goal is to ensure “no Australian should have to check their bank balance to see if they can afford to see a doctor.”
While the initial response has been positive, some skepticism remains within the medical community. Concerns have been raised that the incentives may encourage shorter consultations, potentially compromising the quality of care. Others have questioned whether the financial incentives will fully offset the costs associated with bulk-billing all patients, impacting practice budgets.
The rebound in bulk-billing rates represents the largest quarterly increase on record outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, when mandatory bulk-billing for vaccine consultations artificially inflated the figures. The government maintains its commitment to achieving its target of nine out of ten bulk-billed GP visits by 2030, but has not yet established interim targets to measure progress along the way.
The figures released reflect the impact of changes that came into effect in November 2025, following the government’s pre-election promise to address rising healthcare costs and improve access to affordable medical care for all Australians.
