The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Albanese Government is improving access to healthcare across the country, with all states and the Northern Territory (NT) signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth to continue Medicare bulk billing services at approved hospitals and health services in rural and remote Australia.
This means more people living outside major cities can access primary health care services at sites in New South Wales, NT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
Under this initiative, doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives and allied health professionals working in rural and remote hospitals can bulk bill Medicare for eligible primary care services.
This also means funding for additional primary care services in rural and remote communities including mental health support services, after hours and emergency primary care, allied health, nursing, and midwifery support.
The Albanese Government recognises the challenge of recruiting and retaining primary health care workers in rural and remote communities.
This agreement provides additional support for the health sector and will ensure all Australians have access to the healthcare they need.
