Practice Economics

Why Some Australian GPs Are Moving Beyond Bulk Billing

Bulk billing depends on the rebate covering the cost of a consultation. This page sets out what the sources report, including the recovery after the 2025 incentive, and keeps opinion separate from data.

The rebate freeze

Medicare indexation was paused from 2013, with the freeze on basic GP consultations lifted in 2017 and other items later, according to The Conversation's explainer. The University of Sydney examined the cost to doctors and patients in 2016. Because a bulk-billed consultation is paid at the rebate, flat rebates and rising costs squeeze the practice and the GP, as discussed in our rebate freeze analysis.

The fall, then the recovery

Bulk billing fell from 88.9 percent in 2020-21 to 77.9 percent in 2024-25 (Medicare statistics, discussed in our bulk billing analysis). After the incentive that started on 1 November 2025, the national rate was reported at 84.1 percent for the June 2026 quarter, see also the Department of Health.

Measures differ

Cleanbill's early 2025 clinic survey, reported by The Senior, put the adult bulk-billing rate at 20.7 percent, down from 35.1 percent in 2023. That is a survey-based measure that differs from Medicare's share of services that were bulk billed, so the two figures should not be compared directly. We do not have a later Cleanbill figure.

Cost as a barrier

AAP reported, citing the ABS Patient Experiences survey, that about 1.5 million people did not see a GP with a health complaint due to cost. See the ABS release.

GP reaction to the incentive

InSight+ reported that many doctors were wary of the 2025 changes, and ABC News covered the package. The RACGP's guide to mixed billing describes bulk billing, private billing and mixed billing.

Why some GPs still choose private and home visit models

Some GPs prefer to set their own fee, whatever the rebate. On C.A.L.L.S you set your own home visit fee, keep 100 percent and pay a flat membership (pricing). See what clinic owners charge GPs.