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Bulk billing rates plummet, leaving Australians to pay more

A new report shows that it's costing Australians more and more to access healthcare...
A woman walks into a Medicare Government Office on May 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.
(Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Australia’s bulk billing rates have hit alarming lows, according to Cleanbill’s 2025 Blue Report. The Healthcare Directory, which collects and analyses nationwide data, revealed that nearly 80 per cent of GP clinics no longer bulk bill adult patients.

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In addition to that, GP access remains an issue across the country. GP training numbers, while recovering, are not where we need them to be, according to The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP). According to its report, there are 23 per cent fewer GPs per person in Canberra than in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Both Darwin and Hobart have more. Thus, making Canberra the Australian capital with the fewest GPs per person.

It attributes this to Medicare investment not keeping up with inflation. It’s currently calling on federal parties to provide funding to train more GPs to meet the growing demand from an ageing population.

“We’re calling for funding to train an extra 1500 specialist GPs over the next five years. This will help ensure everyone has access to a GP who knows them and their history. That will keep people healthy and well in their community and take the pressure off the stretched hospital system.” said RACGP President Dr Michael Wright.

Cleanbill’s study is the first of its kind to track national GP billing trends over multiple years.

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The report, based on calls to 6,925 clinics between October 2024 and January 2025, paints a troubling picture.

Following the report, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) also released a transcript of an interview with its President Dr Nick Yim and ABC Radio Far North saying that the Medicare rebate is simply too low to support bulk billing. He said: “The wages are going up, electricity is going up, rent is going up, and that Medicare rebate just has not kept up for patients to have a bulk billing consult.”

A graph showing the decline of bulk billing in Australia
(Credit: Cleanbill)

Bulk billing rates have declined across the board, with New South Wales maintaining the highest rate at 34.5 per cent. Whereas, Tasmania now reports no bulk billing clinics for new adult patients.

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As a result, the financial strain is mounting for those unable to access bulk billing. Nationally, the average out-of-pocket cost for a GP visit rose to $43.38, a 4.1 per cent increase from 2024. Tasmanian patients face the steepest costs, averaging $54.26 per visit.

A graph detailing the out of pocket costs for Australians going to the GP
(Credit: Cleanbill)

These rising costs have tangible consequences. Over 1.5 million Australians avoided seeing a GP in 2023–24 due to financial concerns. This is a 25 per cent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the decline in affordability is most stark in Western Australia. In WA there is only one bulk billing clinic for every 46,639 adults.

The report underscores the growing challenges in Australian primary healthcare, advocating for systems that prioritise affordability and accessibility.

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With the general election on the horizon, there’s no doubt that healthcare costs will be a topic for debate.

“This is the time for the federal government in Canberra to do their bit and look at increasing that Medicare rebate and look at strategies moving forward to ensure the health of our communities”, said Dr Nick.

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