Bulk billing GPs disappearing across Melbourne's eastern suburbs

The number of bulk billing clinics in the federal electorate of Aston has plummeted over the past 12 months, with almost nine in every 10 GP clinics not offering bulk billing services, representing a 21.4 per cent drop.

Aston, which includes the major suburbs of Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully and Knoxfield, is only one area facing a bulk billing crisis, with similar dips replicated across the other electorates of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Health directory Cleanbill’s third annual Blue Report electorate breakdown released earlier this month has highlighted a mixed bag across the eastern suburbs in bulk billing figures, with drops across the board.

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Where has bulk billing fallen in your area? 📉

In the federal electorate of Aston, only 11.1 per cent of GP clinics were considered to be bulk billing clinics, a significant drop from 32.4 per cent in 2023/24. The average out-of-pocket cost during 2024/25 was $36 – an increase from $33.85 in 2023/24.

In Chisholm, only 21.8 per cent of clinics were found to be bulk billing in 2024/25. Only two years ago, that figure was over 50 per cent.

In Casey, 15 per cent of GP clinics were bulk billing in 2024/25, a 3.4 per cent drop from the year prior, but a 3.2 per cent improvement compared to the 11.8 per cent figure seen in 2022/23. However, Casey residents who attended a local GP incurred the highest average out-of pocket cost of $41.81.

Across Casey, there was a 28 per cent reduction in the amount of GP visits which were bulk billed comparing the 2023/24 figures – 1.1 million to those reported in 2021/22  – about 804,000.

In Hotham, 21.3 per cent of GP clinics were considered to be bulk-billing in 2024/25, followed by 18.6 per cent in Menzies and 13.9 per cent in Deakin.

What is bulk billing and why is it falling?💲

Bulk billing is a service provided by some GP clinics where all charges are put through Medicare, with no out-of-pocket charges required from the person attending the GP clinic.

A number of factors lead to GP clinics deciding not to bulk bill, namely the fact that the Medicare rebate has not kept up with inflation, with clinics deciding to move away from bulk billing in order to maintain financial viability.

All parties needed to support a plan to rebuild

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging all political parties to support its plan to ensure access to affordable GP care for everyone in Australia - a plan which includes getting the bulk-billing rate back to 85 per cent (up from 77 per cent in October 2024), creating 6.2 million more bulk-billed appointments per year, halving out-of-pocket costs and increasing growth in the GP workforce.

RACGP president Michael Wright said the key target for funding should be Medicare, which has been “underfunded for decades”.

“We need significant investment in Medicare to lower fees and increase bulk billing, and we need to train more GPs, so everyone can get the care they need, when and where they need it,” he said.

“We’re calling on all parties to support our plan and the 19 initiatives within it.

“This includes increasing funding for longer consults by 40 per cent, and mental health consults by 25 per cent, and extending tripled bulk billing incentives to those aged 34 and under – we know young people are doing it especially tough and are more likely to have delayed care due to costs.”

What does the Coalition propose to do?

Casey Liberal MP Aaron Violi said the availability of bulk-billing was only one part of the picture.

“Not only is bulk-billing down, but, due to the peri-urban and regional nature of my community, families are finding it harder to see a GP and the cost of visiting the doctor has skyrocketed in the last three years,” he told the Eastern Melburnian.

“The Coalition has a plan to build our GP workforce by incentivising junior doctors to become GPs, particularly in regional and rural communities like mine.

“The Liberals will deliver quality healthcare, including doubling mental health sessions back to 20, after Labor cut this vital Medicare subsidised mental health support.”

Independent candidate points at poor emergency care

Independent candidate for Casey Claire Ferres Miles said the health system in Casey needed more support to broaden its emergency care provision.

“It is a failure of both major parties that the Casey electorate of 2624 square kilometres has no emergency care,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“For people that live in the Valley and Upper Yarra when you call 000 for an ambulance, they recommend you get in your own car to drive to Maroondah Hospital as it will be faster than waiting for an ambulance.

“This is unacceptable.”

Miles said she had received a number of suggestions from Casey residents, including increased support for practices who decide to bulk bill and increased engagement with local GPs.

“A parent described their anguish with medical costs, as they tried to manage a chronic condition for their child - a stark reminder of how our current system often fails those who need it most,” she said.

“Health security is fundamental to economic security.”

Greens call for more incentives to bulk bill

Greens candidate for Casey Merran Blair said healthcare should not be something people decide whether they can afford to access.

“The fundamental purpose of the Medicare system is for all Australians to be able to access essential healthcare for free,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“Investment in the sustainability of Medicare is essential, and the key to this is to incentivise GPs to offer bulk billing arrangements for everyone with a Medicare card and the creation of free local healthcare centres.”

“Medicare is something that all Australians should be proud of, and we need to pressure the government to prevent it from being neglected and eroded over time.”

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