The government has announced a nearly $8 billion investment in Medicare, aiming to increase bulk-billing among general practitioners (GPs) to 90% by 2030, though only about 900 practices have currently signed up out of the approximately 4,800 needed.

This overhaul introduces the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), which provides an extra 12.5% incentive to encourage more GPs and practices to adopt bulk-billing services.

Starting November 1, a $7.9 billion Medicare reform will expand bulk-billing access to all Australians with a Medicare card, up from the current eligibility for those with a Commonwealth concession card and children under 16.

Health Minister Mark Butler remains optimistic that the number of practices offering bulk-billing will increase significantly in the coming weeks, supported by the recent investment and industry backing.

This initiative is expected to benefit patients by lowering their healthcare costs and will also boost income for GPs, with full-time bulk-billing doctors seeing their annual earnings rise from about $280,000 to $405,000, a $125,000 increase.

The reform was a key promise of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government during the 2022 federal election, aiming to reverse the decline in bulk-billing rates, which fell from 89% in 2020 to 78% in 2024.