Cleanbill response to proposed $8.5 billion expansion of Bulk Billing Incentive to cover all Australians
Cleanbill welcomes today’s announcement by the Commonwealth Government of a proposed expansion of the Bulk Billing Incentive to cover all Australians from 1 November 2025.
Cleanbill data has shown that, across Australia, the percentage of clinics available to bulk bill non-concession adults has fallen from 35.1% at the start of 2023 to 20.7% at the start of 2025. Out-of-pocket costs have also tracked steadily upwards over the same period of time.
In this environment, it’s easy to see why the number of adult Australians foregoing visits to the GP because of cost has jumped from 609,000 in 2021-22 to over 1.5 million in 2023-24.
Cleanbill expects the adoption of an expanded Bulk Billing Incentive will prompt a number of GP clinics alter their billing practices for non-concession adult patients. In circumstances such as these, Cleanbill’s free directory will play a more critical role than ever before in helping Australians find up-to-date billing and availability information for every GP clinic in their area.
Cleanbill stands ready to work with any incoming government to ensure that all Australians have access to affordable and available healthcare options as when they need them.