Western Sydney Emerges as Australia's Bulk-Billing Stronghold
22 Jun 2026
The analysis found that nine of the nation's top 10 electorates for bulk-billing availability are located in Sydney, particularly across the city's western suburbs. McMahon ranked highest, with almost all general practices offering full bulk billing, while Calwell in Melbourne was the only non-Sydney electorate to make the top 10.
Cleanbill's findings indicate that access to bulk-billing services has expanded across much of the country over the past year. Nearly every electorate recorded growth in the number of clinics offering full bulk billing, with dozens of electorates now reporting that more than half of their practices bulk bill all patients.
Despite these gains, the report highlighted ongoing differences between regions. New South Wales and Victoria continue to dominate areas with the highest bulk-billing availability, while patients in Tasmania and the ACT face some of the largest out-of-pocket costs when attending privately billed appointments.
RACGP Vice President Dr Ramya Raman said the results reflect the financial pressures facing general practices nationwide. She noted that rising business expenses and Medicare rebates that have not kept pace with inflation are making it increasingly difficult for clinics to maintain affordable services.
Dr Raman also reiterated calls for an independent body to review Medicare funding levels, arguing that practices need greater confidence when planning their future billing models.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler welcomed the growth in bulk-billing clinics but questioned the accuracy of some Cleanbill figures. He pointed to Government data showing thousands of practices now fully bulk bill patients following recent investments in Medicare.
The Federal Government remains committed to increasing Australia's bulk-billing rate to 90% by 2030, with the latest figures placing the national rate at 81.9%.
Western Sydney Emerges as Australia's Bulk-Billing Stronghold
Source: newsGP, Cleanbill