Government-backed bulk-billing clinics spark strong backlash in NSW

Government-backed bulk-billing clinics spark strong backlash in NSW

19 May 2026

The initiative, announced by Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler, will fund six new bulk-billing clinics across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions by mid-2027.

The Government says the locations were selected due to lower-than-average bulk-billing rates compared with national figures. The new clinics are expected to deliver around 150,000 bulk-billed consultations each year.

However, RACGP NSW Chair Rebekah Hoffman described the plan as “incredibly unfair and hurtful,” saying it shows a lack of understanding of how general practice operates.

She said GPs are concerned the new clinics will compete with long-standing local practices that already provide care to communities, sometimes for decades.

Other GPs in the region also warned the model could affect continuity of care and may not suit patients who require longer or more complex consultations.

Some practitioners said the funding would be better directed toward increasing Medicare rebates for longer GP visits and supporting existing clinics rather than introducing new government-operated services.

The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network will oversee the selection of clinic locations and operators, with rollout expected to be completed by mid-2027.

The Government maintains that improving access and increasing bulk-billing rates in the region remains the priority, while GPs continue to raise concerns about sustainability and workforce impact in affected communities.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: newsGP / Federal Health announcement
 

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