- New bulk billing incentives from 1 November aim to improve access to free GP care for Australians with a Medicare card.
- Our Medical centres will continue to offer bulk billed GP consults to all across its 15 centres
- Our Medical welcomes the expanded bulk billing incentive and the Government's commitment to universal primary healthcare.
30.10.25: Millions of Australians are set to benefit from increased access to free GP care and expanded medical services from 1 November, as a result of the Albanese Government's expansion of the bulk billing incentive.
Henry Bateman, CEO of Cornerstone Health, which runs large bulk billing medical clinics, Our Medical, across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, welcomed the change as, "the most significant update to universal primary healthcare in a decade, ensuring bulk billing remains available to patients and sustainable for doctors."
"This initiative will enable Our Medical to continue to offer bulk billing across all general practice services," he said.
Mr Bateman added that the increased Government support also helps position Our Medical to expand its footprint, with hopes of opening additional centres in the future to meet growing demand for accessible, bulk billed healthcare across Australia.
Existing and future patients of Our Medical centres will continue to benefit from bulk billed GP consultations, accessible opening hours and comprehensive nursing support across its 15 bulk billing centres, ensuring consistent, accessible care for patients.
Mr Bateman congratulated the Albanese Government on its support for accessible healthcare and said he hopes the expanded incentive provides GPs with sufficient motivation to offer bulk billed consults to their patients.
This incentive comes as for too many Australians, the cost of seeing a doctor has been a barrier, with more than 15% delaying care because of out-of-pocket expenses*. This change means more people can visit their GP when they need to, without cost being a limitation to their personal or family's health.
The new incentive, which provides around $20 extra from Medicare per bulk billed consultation, extends the previous incentive for children and pensioners to all Australians. This investment enables Our Medical centres to continue delivering free GP care to patients with a Medicare card while continuing to operate extended hours and providing all primary healthcare services in one location.
A local spokesperson for Our Medical, said the change would have an immediate impact for patients Australia wide. "This announcement means no Australian should have to put off seeing their GP because of cost."
The spokesperson said, "We know how important it is to catch health issues early. This incentive helps ensure that patients can access care when they need it, not when they can afford it. It's a real win for our community."
Mr Bateman said Our Medical has been pushing for greater support for accessible general practice and general practitioners that bulk bill all their patients.
"Our Medical's purpose has always been to increase access to quality, accessible primary healthcare for all Australians. We welcome this investment from the Albanese Government. It's a positive step that safeguards the future of bulk billing general practice and ensures Australians continue to have access to free primary care," Mr Bateman said.
"For Our Medical, this change recognises and rewards GPs who remain committed to bulk billing, ensuring this model of care can continue to operate. It also helps attract the next generation of doctors to bulk bill their patients, strengthening access to quality primary healthcare for all Australians," added Bateman.
