The Briefing Victoria’s bushfires turn deadly + Is bulk billing bouncing back?
Jan 11, 2026
James Gillespie, CEO of Cleanbill and a health-sector data entrepreneur, dives deep into Australia's evolving healthcare landscape. He reveals exciting insights from Cleanbill's annual Blue Report on the impact of recent Medicare reforms. Bulk billing rates are experiencing a resurgence, showcasing a potential reversal of declining trends. However, out-of-pocket costs for non-bulk-billed visits have surged by 13%. Gillespie also discusses how economic incentives affect clinics' choices and the government's ambitious goal for bulk billing by 2030.
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Bulk Billing Rebound Is Real But Uneven
- The Medicare incentives have reversed the decline in bulk billing, almost doubling fully bulk-billing clinics to just above 40% nationwide.
- However, average out-of-pocket costs at non‑bulk‑billing clinics have risen significantly, creating mixed outcomes for patients.
Rising Fees Offset Some Gains
- Out-of-pocket GP costs rose by over 13% in the last year, and remain 6.8% higher after controlling for clinic mix changes.
- Rising averages reflect both clinic switching and price increases at clinics that remain private or mixed billing.
Rural Incentives Drive Larger Uptake
- Incentives vary by remoteness, with metro clinics receiving about $70 per fully bulk-billed consult and remote MM6 clinics closer to $90.
- Higher rural rebates help explain larger bulk-billing uptake in places like the Northern Territory and Tasmania.