Why GP visits just got more expensive

The percentage of GP clinics offering bulk billing has dropped to a record 20.7% – a drop of 15% in just two years. 

And, if you’re attending one of the almost 80% of available GP clinics that won’t bulk bill adult patients, you’re probably having to spend $43 in out-of-pocket costs just to see a doctor. 

That’s up almost 7% more than at the start of 2023. 

Online GP directory, Cleanbill, surveyed nearly 7,000 GP clinics and calculated the bulk-billing rate based on the number of clinics that accepted new patients and offered bulk-billing to adult patients without concessions.

New South Wales has the highest bulk-billing rate at 34.5%. It is followed by: 

Victoria 19.1%. 

Queensland 13.9%. 

Northern Territory 9.5% 

South Australia 7.4% 

WA 6.2% 

ACT 3.3% 

Tasmania 0% 

The Cleanbill report measured bulk billing by the percentage of clinics that bulk bill an adult patient. However, the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, prefers to refer to Health Department measurements of individual visits to the GP. 

He said 77% of all visits were bulk billed in November last year, which was a 1.6 % increase from October last year, before the government tripled the bulk billing incentive for GPs. 

“Every state and territory now has more bulk billing, with the largest rise in some states which have historically struggled with lower rates of bulk billing,” Mr Butler told the media. 

“The number of Australians visiting their GP has also increased in the past 12 months, with a 1.2 percentage point increase in the number of GP visits overall.”

Tasmania, which reported zero bulk-billing GP clinics, is also the most expensive state to visit a GP, recording the highest out-of-pocket GP costs. Adults spend about $54 to visit the doctor, which is $7 more than in 2023. 

The decline in bulk billing and rising costs is blamed for fewer people going to the doctor. In November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 8.8% of Australians nominated costs as their main reason for delaying or not seeing a GP when they needed to – up from 7% in 2022-23. 

Here’s what you can expect to spend to see a doctor: 

• Tasmania $54 

• Australian Capital Territory $52 

• New South Wales $44 

• Northern Territory $44 

• Queensland $43 

• Western Australia $43 

• Victoria $42 

• South Australia $42. 

South Australia had the lowest out-of-pocket costs but saw the biggest increase from the previous year of nearly 8%. 

The Northern Territory recorded a 7% increase, Tasmania 6%, and Queensland 5%. 

The Cleanbill report said the trends outlined a “concerning picture for healthcare accessibility in Australia”. 

“This should not be happening,” it said. 

Royal Australian College of GPs president, Dr Michael Wright, says the government must increase Medicare rebates to reflect current day costs of GPs running their clinics. 

“Today’s patient rebates don’t come close to the cost of care, so people are paying more out-of-pocket, and it’s harder for GPs to bulk bill,” Dr Wright said. 

“On top of this, practices have been hit by inflation like everyone. 

“When people can’t see their GP or delay care due to costs, their health gets worse, and they are more likely to end up in hospitals. 

“That’s bad for their health, and costs taxpayers more.” 

He told The Australian that patient rebates should be increased, particularly for longer consultations, which are typically used to manage chronic and complex illnesses. 

National Seniors Australia (NSA) is pressing the Federal Government to act on reducing health costs. Spiralling out-of-pocket health care costs are an especially big concern for older Australians. 

We are calling for reforms to reduce out-of-pocket health costs associated with Medicare and private health. Reducing the cost of medical care will ensure older Australians do not miss out on receiving the treatment they need.