Yes, bulk billing is still available in Australia, and recent Medicare reforms have actually increased it. As of the most recent data, the national bulk billing rate reached 81.4 per cent, following the introduction of new government incentives in November 2025. Whether a specific clinic bulk bills, and for which patients, still depends on the individual practice.
At Beach Road Medical Centre, we understand that cost is a genuine concern for many patients when choosing a GP. Here is a clear look at how bulk billing works today, and what it means for you.
Bulk billing is a Medicare arrangement where a GP bills Medicare directly for your consultation, rather than charging you upfront. If your appointment is bulk billed, you pay nothing out of pocket, as the Medicare rebate is accepted as full payment for the service.
Not every appointment or every patient is automatically bulk billed. Many practices, including ours, operate as a mixed billing clinic, meaning some patients or services are bulk billed while others attract a private fee with a Medicare rebate applied. You can find full details on our medical billing page.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the national bulk billing rate rose to 81.4 per cent between November 2025 and January 2026, marking the largest quarterly increase in two decades outside of the pandemic period. This followed the introduction of a new incentive program, which gives practices an additional payment for bulk billing all eligible patients.
Before these changes, bulk billing rates had been declining for several years. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows bulk billing rates varied significantly by state and age group in the years leading up to these reforms, with Western Australia among the states that saw rates fall for younger patients. The recent changes were introduced specifically to address that decline.
Children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders have generally benefited the most from these changes, with over 9 in 10 visits for these groups now bulk billed following the incentive changes introduced in late 2023 and expanded further in November 2025. Other patients may still be bulk billed depending on the practice and appointment type, though this varies clinic to clinic.
If bulk billing is important to you, it is worth asking a practice directly about their billing structure before booking, since arrangements can differ depending on the type of appointment, your eligibility, and whether the practice participates in the current incentive program. Some clinics fully bulk bill, some operate a mixed billing model, and others bulk bill only specific patient groups.
At Beach Road Medical Centre, we operate as a mixed billing practice, which allows us to offer bulk billing where appropriate while continuing to provide the level of care our patients need. If you are unsure whether your appointment will be bulk billed, our friendly reception team can walk you through it before you book.
Understanding your billing options should not be complicated. If you have questions about whether a specific appointment will be bulk billed, or want to know more about our fees, our team is happy to explain everything clearly before your visit, so there are no surprises on the day.
For general enquiries, please complete the form below and our team will respond as soon as possible.
(For medical emergencies or urgent concerns, please call the clinic.)
