It's no secret that the cost of living in Australia has been on the rise.

However, recent figures have shed light on a particularly worrying trend affecting the country's healthcare sector.


Australians have been digging deeper in their pockets to cover general practitioner (GP) visits.

The average cost of a visit has recently climbed up to $43.

The Cleanbill Blue Report analysed data from nearly 7,000 clinics across the nation and revealed a decrease in the availability of bulk billing services.


According to the report, approximately 80 per cent of GPs have stopped offering this once-common practice.

Bulk billing is a service where doctors accept the Medicare benefit as full payment for a service.

This service has been a cornerstone of Australian healthcare, but its recent decline left many patients with higher medical expenses.


The report's findings were alarming, as out-of-pocket costs for GP consultations rose by about four per cent between 2024 and 2025.

Despite low average costs, South Australia saw the most significant year-on-year increase at nearly eight per cent.

The Northern Territory and Tasmania were not far behind, with increases of seven and six per cent, respectively.

However, Tasmania has no clinics that provide bulk billing services for new patients.

The lack of this service led to an average out-of-pocket fee of $54.

On the other hand, 36 per cent of clinics in New South Wales still provide bulk billing options for patients.


The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners expressed their concern over the impact these costs are having on the nation.

'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 stated.

'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.' Dr Wright continued.

Dr Wright called for an increase in patient rebates, especially for longer consultations essential for managing chronic and complex conditions.

'This will make a real difference for patients and communities across the country. It will improve the health and wellbeing of our population and take pressure off our hospitals and entire health system,' Dr Wright added.

Dr Wright also urged political parties to make 'bold commitments' to address these challenges.


In response to the report, Health Minister Mark Butler pointed to a recent increase in bulk billing rates.

'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,' Minister Butler shared.

'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.'

'We know there's more to do to keep strengthening Medicare after a decade of cuts and neglect from the Liberals, and we are committed to doing it,' Minister Butler concluded.

Meanwhile, Liberal spokesperson Anne Ruston defended the Coalition, saying that it 'always has, and always will invest in Medicare'.

This trend should be concerning, especially for seniors who rely on regular GP visits to manage health conditions.

It's essential to stay informed about your healthcare options and to advocate for policies that will ensure affordable access to medical services.
Have you noticed an increase in expenses during your GP visits? How has this affected your access to healthcare? Share your stories and opinions about this current issue in the comments section.