More Australians visit GPs as patients seek better access and clearer fees
15 Oct 2026
The 2026–27 NAB Health Insights Report, released on Thursday, surveyed more than 1,000 Australians about their healthcare experiences and priorities.
The report found that the proportion of Australians who visited a GP in the past year increased from 80% to 85%. Among people aged 65 and over, the figure reached 98%.
GPs remain central to Australia's healthcare system. Of those who had visited a GP in the past year, 76% said GPs were the most important healthcare professionals for their own or their family's overall health.
The report also found that 68% of respondents were bulk billed at their most recent GP appointment, up from 58% previously. However, access to care remains uneven across different groups.
People's healthcare needs and experiences vary depending on factors such as age, income, location and gender. Australians on lower incomes were more likely to use essential services, including GPs and pharmacies, but less likely to access services such as dental care, which can involve higher out-of-pocket costs.
Although fewer patients were changing healthcare providers, almost one-third had switched at least one provider because they were unhappy with the service. GPs and dentists were among those most affected.
Nearly half of respondents also reported missing out on some form of healthcare in the past year. Dental care, GP appointments and specialist services were among the most commonly missed.
The report highlighted the importance of helping patients find suitable care, make appointments, understand their treatment options and follow through with care.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the findings showed the important role GPs play in Australia's healthcare system.
He said patients were more likely to seek care elsewhere when they faced barriers such as long waiting times or difficulty booking appointments.
Dr Wright also highlighted the importance of a welcoming practice, clear communication and follow-up care, alongside the consultation itself.
With cost-of-living pressures continuing, the report found that patients wanted more than affordable healthcare. They also wanted greater transparency about fees and better explanations of what their payments covered.
Patients wanted clearer information about fees before booking, including whether the consultation cost covered follow-up calls and test result discussions.
The report also found that patients valued being listened to, receiving useful advice, having enough time during consultations and understanding what to do next.
NAB Head of Behavioural and Industry Economics Dean Pearson said Australians continued to report high levels of satisfaction with their healthcare.
However, he said the experience around an appointment was becoming increasingly important. Booking access, understanding costs, clear communication and knowing the next steps all influenced how patients engaged with healthcare.
The report aims to help healthcare businesses better understand patients' needs and improve their overall experience.
More Australians visit GPs as patients seek better access and clearer fees
Source: NAB – 2026–27 NAB Health Insights Report and webinar