MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING
MINISTER FOR DISABILITY AND THE NDIS

ANNE STANLEY MP
MEMBER FOR WERRIWA

MEDIA RELEASE

RECORD JUMP IN BULK BILLING FOR AUSTRALIANS

Thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s historic investment, new data shows Australians can now access over 3,400 Medicare Bulk Billing Practices across the country. The number continues to grow every week. Almost 1,300 of these practices were previously mixed billing.

In Werriwa, there are now 31 Medicare Bulk Billing Practices. That is 91% of GP clinics in Werriwa that now bulk bill every patient.

In just three months, the bulk billing rate for all Australians has jumped to 81.4 per cent nationwide. This is the largest quarterly jump in bulk billing in 20 years (outside of the COVID pandemic).

For 16-64 year olds, there has been a 6.9 percentage point increase in the bulk billing rate, the largest quarterly increase on record.

Because of the Government’s delivery, approximately 96 per cent of Australians are now within a 20-minute drive of a registered Medicare Bulk Billing Practice.

In October 2023, before the Albanese Government tripled the bulk billing incentive for GPs who bulk bill children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders, the bulk billing rate was 75.6 per cent.

As a result of the 2023 changes, more than 9 in 10 visits for these patients are now bulk billed.

Australians can now find their closest Medicare Bulk Billing Practice at health.gov.au/bulk-billing.

This follows the Albanese Government’s historic $8.5 billion investment to strengthen Medicare. Since 1 November last year, bulk billing incentives are now paid to GPs for every patient they bulk bill and fully bulk billing practices also receive an additional payment.

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“We promised Australians more bulk billing and that is what we are delivering.

“More Australians are finding it easier to find a bulk billing doctor right across the country including in Werriwa.

“Doctors and practices are moving back to bulk billing because it works for patients and it works for their practices.

“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare and that’s what our Government is delivering.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley:

“Labor is delivering more bulk billing to Werriwa.”

“Our record investment to strengthen Medicare has already been a game changer with more practices switching to bulk billing since November 1.

“All you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card.”


12 February 2026


MEDIA CONTACT:
Gerda Jezuchowski: 0400 315 213 (Butler)
Stella Karnib: 02 8783 0977 (Stanley)