Australians under 35 should have their GP visits bulk-billed, according to leading doctors who are urging Health Minister Mark Butler to introduce bonus payments for doctors who waive out-of-pocket fees for young patients. An exclusive analysis by The Age reveals that the Royal College of Australian General Practitioners is advocating for an extension of bulk-billing incentives, arguing that younger Australians are the most likely to delay medical care due to cost concerns.
As the federal election looms, health policy is shaping up as a key battleground for Labor and the Coalition. The Age has learnt that the doctors’ push comes amid growing evidence that current bulk-billing incentives, which are limited to children under 16, pensioners, and concession cardholders, fail to address a critical gap in healthcare access.
New data obtained by The Age highlights a significant drop in bulk-billing rates once children turn 16. The average bulk-billing rate plummets from 90 per cent for under-16s to just 72 per cent for 16- to 18-year-olds—the point at which bulk-billing bonuses no longer apply.
Michael Wright, president of the GP’s college, told The Age that young Australians struggling with financial pressures are the most likely to defer medical appointments. “The last thing we want is for people to have to choose between seeing a doctor and putting petrol in their car,” he said.
Exclusive findings by The Age indicate that expanding bulk-billing incentives to under-35s would save young Australians an average of $42 per GP visit and prevent 9000 hospitalisations annually by improving preventative care, early diagnosis, and chronic disease management.
“The cost-of-living crisis is impacting the health of young Australians. When they delay healthcare, serious conditions can go undetected, leading to more complex and costly treatments down the line,” the college’s analysis states.
The Age has obtained calculations showing that such an expansion would cost the government between $390.6 million and $557.8 million per year, depending on uptake. The Greens have proposed going even further, advocating for tripled bulk-billing incentives for all Australians—a move that, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, would require an additional $3.8 billion over three years.
Doctors have historically had significant influence in driving healthcare reforms. The Age previously reported that the Albanese government’s $3.5 billion bulk-billing initiative, announced in the 2023 budget, was a direct response to the GPs’ campaign. The policy led to the first rebound in bulk-billing rates since they began declining after the pandemic.
According to the latest data from the health department, bulk-billing rates have increased by 1.9 percentage points, rising from 75.6 per cent to 77.5 per cent since the policy took effect in November 2023. However, as The Age analysis reveals, middle Australia has not benefited as much as intended, with general patients aged 16 to 64 still paying more out-of-pocket than a year ago.
In response, Butler has acknowledged the issue and told The Age that the government is actively exploring ways to further improve bulk-billing. “We’re keeping a very keen eye on what’s happening with patients who aren’t covered by the bulk-billing incentive,” he said. “We know there’s more to do on bulk-billing, and we’re committed to doing more.”
Beyond bulk-billing incentives, the GP college is also calling for a 40 per cent increase in Medicare rebates for longer consultations—an initiative that could cost up to $1 billion annually—along with a 25 per cent rise for GP mental health services and increased funding for GP training.
Wright told The Age that raising rebates for long consultations would significantly reduce gap fees, from an average of $59 to $25, while pushing the national bulk-billing rate to 85 per cent. Additionally, he has called for funding to train 1500 new GPs. “What we’re trying to present is a range of solutions that improve affordable access for patients,” he said.
This week, the doctors’ lobby will meet politicians in Canberra as both major parties seek to win over voters on the cost of living and health policy. The Age has learned that Labor’s recent $537 million women’s health package, which includes support for contraception and menopause treatments, was swiftly endorsed by the Coalition. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, in an Instagram video yesterday, promised that a Coalition government would continue to expand Medicare funding.
“Labor has been running this same scare campaign since 2016. It wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now,” Dutton said. “Under my leadership, we will protect and grow Medicare, support bulk-billing, and bring more GPs into communities.”
Meanwhile, Butler continues to criticise Dutton’s record, pointing to his controversial push for compulsory patient copayments as health minister in 2014. The Age will continue to follow developments as the debate over healthcare reform intensifies ahead of the election.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
