Health Minister Mark Butler says Australians are reaping the benefits of record investment in Medicare after revealing bulk billing rates were increasing ahead of schedule.
The national rate rose to 84.1 per cent for the June 2026 quarter, a rise of almost five percentage points on the same time last year.
While the government says numbers have grown across every state and territory, patients aged between 16 and 64 saw the biggest increase — up more than 8 per cent to 78.6 per cent.
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“Our government is delivering more bulk billing to more Australians,” Butler said.
“Across the country more and more GP practices are becoming fully bulk billing clinics meaning all patients need is their Medicare card, not their credit card.
“It’s good for patients hip pockets and good for their health.”
The Northern Territory is now more than 90.8 per cent bulk billed, with the ACT (59.3 per cent) the only jurisdiction tracking at less than 75 per cent.
The national numbers
- NSW 87.5 per cent (up 4.1 percentage points)
- Victoria 85.7 per cent (up 5.7 percentage points)
- Queensland 82 per cent (up 4.7 percentage points)
- South Australia 82.5 per cent (up 6.0 percentage points)
- Western Australia 76.8 per cent (up 4.8 percentage points)
- Tasmania 80.8 per cent (up 5.5 percentage points)
- Northern Territory 90.8 per cent (up 13.0 percentage points)
- ACT 59.3 per cent (up 2.4 percentage points).
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