News
Election result confirms huge Medicare shift in November
With the Federal Election result now clear, the RACGP President says supporting members to adopt the best billing models for them is a top priority for the college.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes to the stage for his Federal Election victory speech on 3 May. (Image: AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Even before a polling date was confirmed, this year’s Federal Election has been framed like no other recent ballot around Medicare – and so it continued right up to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s victory speech on Saturday night.
‘We will be a government that helps every Australian who relies on Medicare,’ he said, brandishing the familiar card, albeit mostly obscured beneath his fingers.
‘Because this card is not Labor red or Liberal blue, it is green and gold. It is a declaration of our national values, in our national colours.
‘Medicare belongs to all Australians and together we will make it stronger for all Australians.’
His resounding victory confirms the Australian Labor Party’s flagship policy – the huge expansion of the tripled bulk-billing incentives to non-concessionary patients – will go ahead in November.
It also seals other significant healthcare promises, including a commitment to increase the number of urgent care clinics (UCCs) around the country, and $265.2 million to expand general practice training with 200 additional training places per year, going up to 400 by 2028.
‘This is a great victory for the Albanese Government, and we congratulate them on their success,’ RACGP President Dr Michael Wright told newsGP.
‘The campaign had general practice funding at its heart, and we were really pleased to see significant workforce announcements, as well as an overdue commitment to increasing Medicare investment.
‘However, we know many of our members are concerned about the reality of some of the promises, and particularly bulk-billing incentives.
‘Many members have told me that these incentives won’t work for them if the Medicare rebate doesn’t meet the costs of care.’
In its announcement of the $8.5 billion pledge, the Federal Government said it is aiming for nine out of 10 GP visits to be bulk billed by 2030 and for the number of fully bulk-billing practices to rise to 4800.
Practices that bulk bill every patient will also be eligible for a 12.5% loading payment – split between the GP and the clinic – for Medicare rebates.
However, many GPs have expressed scepticism about the Government modelling, with 92% of more than 840 GPs recently surveyed by the ABC saying they will not begin exclusively bulk billing once the new model comes into effect.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), national bulk-billing rates peaked in 2020–21 at around 89% – below the new target set out by the Albanese Government – driven significantly by the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine program.
Rates stood at 78% in the first 10 months of 2024, the AIHW reports, with levels bouncing back following the introduction of a bulk-billing incentive for concession card holders in late 2023.
Dr Wright said the election commitments set out by the newly re-elected Government are not being put in place immediately.
‘It’s important to note that most of the announcements won’t be implemented before November, so nothing has changed overnight,’ he said.
‘We are now looking forward to helping the Government implement its promises and making sure the investment supports high quality care and financial viability of general practices all around the country.
‘Supporting our members around the country to adopt the best models that work for them and their communities remains a priority for us.’
Dr Wright added that the RACGP will continue to advocate for increased rebates to support long and complex consultations, including mental health consults.
His other priorities include improving access to essential medicines and funding multi-disciplinary general practice care.
Election pledges and their timeline
The new Government’s other key election commitments affecting general practices include:
- $657.9 million for 50 more bulk-billing UCCs – a move not supported by the RACGP – taking the total to 137, with the new clinics scheduled to open during the 2025–26 financial year across all states and territories
- $689 million to reduce the cost of most PBS medications to a maximum of $25, a policy now scheduled to kick in on 1 January 2026
- The expansion of a free, national, 24/7 health advice line and after-hours GP telehealth service (1800MEDICARE) under a $204.5 million investment to improve Healthdirect services, also due to come into effect from 1 January 2026
- $134.3 million to increase the schedule fee for four long‑acting reversible contraception items on the MBS as part of a $573.3 million women’s health package
Log in below to join the conversation.
bulk billing business of general practice Medicare
newsGP weekly poll
Are you aware of current laws stating that Medicare benefits are only payable where the service is performed in Australia, including telehealth services?