The Australian Government will establish six new fully bulk billing general practices across regional New South Wales, with an investment of $25.3 million over three years.
More than a million people living in the Central Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region will soon have better access to bulk billed GP services.
These regions of NSW were chosen for bulk billing clinics because of their persistently low bulk billing rates for GP services. For example, in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas, the bulk billing rate is an average of 66.6 per cent, compared to the national average of 81.4 per cent.
The new clinics are expected to open by mid-2027 and will provide around 155,000 bulk billed GP services each year.
Their locations and operators will be selected through a competitive grant process by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, targeting areas in the region with the greatest need for access to fully bulk billing clinics.
This builds on the Australian Government's landmark $8.5 billion Strengthening Medicare investment to make health care more affordable for more Australians and provide more bulk billing doctors across Australia.
By 2030, the Australian Government's investment will mean nine out of 10 GP services are bulk billed, delivering significant savings to patients, every year.
Practices can learn more and register for the program by visiting: www.health.gov.au/bbpip.
Patients can find a bulk billing practice by visiting: www.health.gov.au/bulkbilling.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Albanese Government wants all Australians to get the health care they need when they need it, and we're committed to supporting more bulk billing GPs in the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
"The Hunter and Central Coast regions have had issues with bulk billing for a long time. Having six new fully bulk billing GP clinics will help make health care cheaper and more accessible for many in the community."
Quotes attributable to Minister Pat Conroy, Member for Shortland:
"People across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast are paying too much just to see a doctor and can't find one that bulk bills.
"We know that the Hunter has some of the lowest bulk billing rates in the country and the problem is a lack of competition.
"We're stepping in to make it easier to see a GP for free."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Emma McBride, Member for Dobell:
"We're delivering new fully bulk billing GP clinics on the Central Coast so more locals can see the GP for free.
"This builds on our significant investment in Medicare - increasing the bulk billing incentive, cutting the cost of PBS scripts, and opening Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
"As a healthcare worker and local Member, I know the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Coasties."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy Dan Repacholi, Member for Hunter:
"Families across western Lake Macquarie deserve access to affordable healthcare close to home, and these new fully bulk billing GP clinics will make a real difference for local communities doing it tough.
"For too many people in places like Toronto, Morisset and Edgeworth, the cost of seeing a doctor has become a barrier to getting care when they need it, which is why this investment to strengthen Medicare is so important for our community."
Quotes attributable to Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle:
"The lack of access to bulk billing GPs has been one of the biggest issues raised with me by local families, and it's something I have advocated strongly for.
"I'm proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government who has listened and responded with this significant investment."
Quotes attributable to Dr Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson:
"A strong and accessible primary care system is so important for our overall community health.
"This investment in primary care across the region will ensure more people can access a bulk billed doctor.
"This is another important investment to strengthen Medicare and healthcare services."
Quotes attributable to Meryl Swanson, Member for Paterson:
"I warmly welcome this announcement of six new bulk billing GP clinics across the Central Coast and Hunter region.
"We're already seeing just how important affordable healthcare is in Paterson - with over 12 existing GP practices making the switch to bulk billing, and more than 4,800 locals visiting our Maitland Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the past six months.
"Our region is one of the fastest growing in New South Wales, and that growth must be matched with investment - ensuring more affordable healthcare services, closer to home, for the people who need them."
