Bulk billing incentive payments rise by $20.65 per consultation for GPs treating concession card holders and children under 16 from 1 March 2025. The changes aim to restore bulk billing rates to over 90% in metropolitan areas.
What is bulk billing?
Bulk billing is when your GP accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment for your consultation, meaning you pay nothing out-of-pocket. Under bulk billing, your doctor bills Medicare directly rather than requiring you to pay upfront and claim a rebate.
The system benefits patients by eliminating upfront costs and reducing financial barriers to healthcare. For doctors, bulk billing means receiving the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee plus any applicable bulk-billing incentives, but potentially earning less than if they charged a gap fee above the Medicare rebate.
GP incentive pre vs post 1-Nov-2025
New incentive payments
The bulk-billing incentive tripling takes effect from 1 November 2025, representing the most significant boost to Medicare payments in decades. The initiative specifically targets children under 16 and concession card holders to ensure these vulnerable groups maintain access to affordable healthcare.
The enhanced incentives are:
- Metropolitan areas: $20.65 per consultation (up from $6.85)
- Regional areas: $30.80 per consultation (up from $10.20)
- Remote and very remote: $39.65 per consultation (up from $13.15)
These payments are in addition to the standard MBS rebate, making bulk billing significantly more financially attractive for GP practices. The government projects this will lift bulk-billing rates from approximately 65% to 80% by 2027.
Annual GP revenue uplift
Projected annual revenue increase for typical GP practices
Finding a bulk-billing doctor
With the enhanced incentives, more GP practices are expected to offer bulk billing, particularly for children and concession card holders. However, finding bulk-billing services still requires some research.
How to Find Bulk-Billing GPs
Use healthdirect.gov.au
The official government health service finder allows you to filter for bulk-billing practices in your area.
Call practices directly
Many clinics bulk bill specific groups (children, concession holders) even if they don't bulk bill all patients.
Consider telehealth options
Many telehealth providers bulk bill concession card holders and children, offering convenient access to GP consultations.
Check community health centers
Community health centers often bulk bill all patients and may have shorter wait times than private practices.
What to expect
The enhanced bulk-billing incentives should lead to:
- More practices offering bulk billing: Particularly for children and concession card holders
- Improved access in regional areas: Higher incentives for remote practices should boost bulk-billing availability
- Shorter wait times: Increased bulk billing may reduce pressure on existing bulk-billing practices
- Extended hours: Some practices may extend bulk-billing hours to maximize incentive payments
Important limitations
Remember that the tripled incentive specifically applies to:
- Children under 16 years of age
- Concession card holders (Pension Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)
- Standard GP consultations only (not specialists or procedures)
Other patients may still receive bulk billing at the doctor's discretion, but practices won't receive the enhanced incentive for these consultations.
Key Points
The bulk-billing incentive boost represents a significant investment in healthcare accessibility, particularly for families and vulnerable populations. While the full impact will take time to materialize, the enhanced payments should make bulk billing financially viable for more GP practices, improving access to affordable healthcare across Australia.
Concession card holders may also benefit from Seniors Card discounts for additional savings, and families should explore Child Care Subsidy increases to reduce childcare costs.