The Albanese Government is boosting access to bulk billing GPs for Canberrans.
Delivering on the Government's election commitment, an Expression of Interest (EOI) is now open to find organisations interested in establishing three new bulk billed GP clinics for Canberra. This will deliver more doctors and more bulk billing practices to the ACT.
The three new bulk billed GP practices are part of Labor's healthcare plan for the ACT under a $24.3 million package.
This investment is on top of Labor's record investment in Medicare to triple the bulk billing incentive and support practices that bulk billing all of their patients.
The new bulk billing clinics will work alongside a new bulk billed and GP-led Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Woden, adding to the current network of Urgent Care Clinics in Gungahlin, Dickson, Belconnen, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong.
The EOI process opens on 22 September 2025. It is led by the ACT Primary Health Network. Suitable health care organisations are encouraged to express interest by 8 October, 2025 by 5pm through the Capital Health Network's website Capital Health Network | Tenders - CHN Tenders and Grants.
The EOI will be followed by a formal application process. Suitable health care organisations from across Australia are encouraged to express interest.
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:
"The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment to support more bulk billing GPs in Canberra.
"Canberra has longstanding issues with GP availability, and the three new GP clinics will address this discrepancy.
"Our government is determined to make it easier for Australians, including Canberrans, to find a bulk billing GP with 90 per cent of GP visits nationally to be bulk billed by 2030."
Quotes attributable to Senator Katy Gallagher:
"This is about making it easier and more affordable for Canberra families to see a doctor when they need to. Bulk billing is central to Medicare and central to Labor's commitment to making healthcare more accessible.
"For too long, Canberrans have struggled with GP availability and high out-of-pocket costs. These new clinics will help change that, ensuring more people can get care close to home without worrying about the bill."
Quotes attributable to Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Member for Fenner:
"Every Canberran should be able to see a doctor without worrying about the bill. These new bulk billing clinics will mean more northside families can get care close to home, instead of being forced to choose between their health and the household budget.
"Labor created Medicare, and Labor is strengthening Medicare - making sure it remains a universal system that looks after everyone."
Quotes attributable to Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra:
"This is great news for Canberra families. It's been too hard for Canberrans to find a GP who bulk bills and these new bulk billing clinics will make a real difference."
Quotes attributable to David Smith MP, Member for Bean:
"In the south of Canberra, families have been telling me about the difficulty of finding a GP who bulk bills. These new clinics, alongside our Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Woden, are about addressing that gap.
"This is about fairness, making sure every family in every part of Canberra has access to bulk billing GPs and affordable healthcare."
