Bulk Billing Declines Nationwide, Leaving Australians with Higher GP Costs

A new report highlights a sharp drop in bulk billing availability, with Tasmania offering no fully subsidized GP visits for new patients.

The Cleanbill Blue Report reveals only 20.7% of GP clinics nationwide offer bulk billing to new adult patients, down from 24.2% last year.
Tasmania has no GP clinics offering bulk billing to new patients, and its average out-of-pocket cost for a visit is the highest in the country at $54.26.
The report found that rising GP costs have led to over 1.5 million Australians foregoing doctor visits in 2023–24 due to financial concerns, a 25% increase from the previous year.
The federal government defends its Medicare reforms, citing increased bulk billing rates for children, concession card holders, and under-16s following a tripling of incentive payments in 2023.
Healthcare experts and GP groups are calling for urgent Medicare investment and higher patient rebates to address accessibility issues and reduce strain on hospitals.