New Bulk‑Billing Incentives for GPs and Practices
01 Nov 2025
The key points are:
What’s changing?
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Previously, bulk‑billing incentive payments were only available when GPs bulk‑billed patients who were under 16 or held a Commonwealth concession card. swsphn.com.au+2oia.pmc.gov.au+2
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From 1 November, that incentive eligibility is being extended so that all Medicare‑eligible patients become eligible when a GP bulk‑bills them. nwmphn.org.au+2health.gov.au+2
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Alongside that, a new program called the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) is being introduced for general practices that choose to commit to bulk‑billing all eligible services. health.gov.au+1
How does the BBPIP work?
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If a practice registers for BBPIP and meets the requirements (bulk bills all eligible MBS services for all Medicare‑eligible patients, displays signage, registers as a bulk‑billing only practice, is registered under MyMedicare, and lists in the national directory) then the practice becomes eligible for an extra 12.5% incentive payment based on the MBS benefits paid for those eligible services. kb.bestpracticesoftware.com+1
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That 12.5% incentive payment is split evenly between the GP (provider) and the practice. health.gov.au+1
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Payments under the BBPIP will start being made quarterly in arrears, with the first payments expected in the first quarter of 2026. kb.bestpracticesoftware.com+1
What does a practice need to do to participate?
A practice must:
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Bulk‑bill all MBS‑eligible services for all Medicare‑eligible patients (if they are participating). health.gov.au+1
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Be registered with MyMedicare. Western Victoria Primary Health Network+1
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Register as a “bulk‑billing only” practice in the national directory managed by Healthdirect Australia. kb.bestpracticesoftware.com+1
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Display signage on‑site indicating the practice offers bulk‑billing only. health.gov.au+1
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Register for the BBPIP via Services Australia when registration opens. Services Australia+1
Why is this happening?
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The policy is part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen Medicare and make GP care more accessible and affordable. budget.gov.au+1
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The impact analysis estimated that expanding the incentive eligibility (to all Medicare‑eligible patients) and introducing the BBPIP could lead to an extra ~15 million people becoming eligible and about 18 million additional bulk‑billed GP visits per year when fully implemented. oia.pmc.gov.au
What should practices consider?
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Practices should use the government’s online Bulk Billing Incentives Calculator to assess how switching to a 100% bulk‑billing model and joining BBPIP might affect their finances. swsphn.com.au+1
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It’s not mandatory for practices to join BBPIP; they can choose to stay with their current billing model and still claim the expanded bulk‑billing incentives (for all Medicare‑eligible patients) even if they don’t join BBPIP. Australian Medical Association+1
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Practices should be aware of operational impacts: bulk‑billing all services means no mixed billing (patient pays gap for some services) for eligible services, so practices will need to examine their patient mix, service mix, overheads, and remuneration model for GPs. Western Victoria Primary Health Network
Source:
Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care, “Upcoming changes to bulk billing incentives in general practice
