Almost two-thirds of Australians bulk-billed for all GP care amid extra incentives for doctors

According to a report by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the proportion of general practitioners bulk-billing all of their patients has more than doubled in a year, with 26% of GPs reporting bulk-billing all of their patients, up from 12% in 2025. This increase is attributed to the government's recent investment in Medicare bulk billing incentives. The RACGP annual health of the nation report, to be published on Wednesday, includes a survey of 2,766 GPs. The report also draws on Australian Bureau of Statistics data, which found the proportion of Australians delaying GP care due to cost fell from 8.8% in 2023-24 to 7.7% in 2024–25. The RACGP president, Dr Michael Wright, said the findings indicate “greater affordability across the healthcare system”.

The report found that almost two-thirds (63%) of Australians are now bulk-billed for all their GP care, up from 56% in both 2024 and 2025. This is “likely a reflection of the federal government’s recent investment in Medicare bulk billing incentives”. The proportion of people bulk-billed for all GP care remains short of 2019 figures, when the report found it to be 70% of patients. However, the report highlights positive outcomes, including that for those patients who have a preferred GP, more than two-in-three were always able to see them when needed.

Dr Luke Slawomirski, a health economist with the Australia Institute, cautioned that while the bulk-billing findings were “certainly good news”, it was essential to remember that the survey represents about 7% of the GP workforce. He emphasized the importance of considering possible selection bias and distinguishing GPs’ reported experiences from administrative data and measures of patient outcomes. Slawomirski noted that a strong health system depends on more than just affordability and bulk-billing rates, with access, quality of care, and patient outcomes also being crucial.

The RACGP president, Dr Michael Wright, stated that funding gets results, and the findings indicate that when governments invest in general practice, patients benefit. The report's findings suggest that the government's investment in Medicare bulk billing incentives has led to greater affordability and improved access to GP care for Australians.