Bulk-Billing Growth Slows as Clinics Face Ongoing Cost Pressures
26 May 2026
Between January and March 2026, the national bulk-billing rate reached 81.9%, slightly higher than the 81.4% recorded during the first months of the expanded incentive program. Compared to the same period last year, the rate increased by 4.6 percentage points nationwide.
Bulk-billing for patients without concession cards also improved, rising to 72.5%.
The biggest increase was seen in the Northern Territory, where bulk-billing rates jumped almost 14 percentage points over the past year to 89.8%. Other states, including NSW, Queensland, and South Australia, also recorded steady growth.
The ACT continued to report the country’s lowest bulk-billing rate at 54.1%, despite Government funding packages aimed at opening more fully bulk-billed clinics in the region.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Dr Michael Wright said the slower growth was expected because many practices still face rising operating costs.
He said while the incentive program has improved access for some patients, especially in rural and regional areas, Medicare rebates for longer and more complex GP consultations still do not fully cover the cost of care.
The latest figures also showed differences between Primary Health Network (PHN) regions. Parts of NSW, Brisbane, and Perth remained below the national average for bulk-billing rates.
Meanwhile, more than 3800 general practices have now joined the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program, exceeding the Government’s original target.
Although fewer patients are paying gap fees overall, those who still pay are facing higher average out-of-pocket costs, which rose nationally from $51.89 to $61.30 over the past year.
The Australian Government has set a target of reaching a 90% national bulk-billing rate by 2030.
Bulk-Billing Growth Slows as Clinics Face Ongoing Cost Pressures
Source: newsGP
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