More patients in Sydney’s Hughes electorate are accessing free GP visits, with the number of fully bulk billing general practices increasing from 17 to 23 over the past year.
The figures were highlighted on 4 November 2026, marking one year since the Albanese Government announced its major investment in Medicare bulk billing.
Across Australia, more than 4,000 GP practices are now fully bulk billing all patients, compared with 2,304 in November 2025.
The increase is expected to help patients and families reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs and make it easier to access essential medical services.
Bulk Billing Growth Across Southern Sydney
Federal Member for Hughes David Moncrieff welcomed the increase in fully bulk billing practices across the electorate.
He said previous cuts, co-payments and a freeze in Medicare rebates had placed greater financial pressure on patients seeking essential healthcare.
“A decade of cuts, co-pays, and a freeze to the Medicare rebate meant that our community was paying more than ever for essential healthcare,” Moncrieff said.
He added that high out-of-pocket costs could lead people to delay visits to their GP, but said discussions with doctors and patients across Hughes indicated that access was improving.
Medicare Incentives Support Fully Bulk Billing Practices
The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program provides substantially higher Medicare rebates to general practitioners and medical practices that commit to bulk billing all patients.
Under the program, eligible practices receive increased financial incentives for ensuring patients do not pay out-of-pocket fees for GP consultations.
According to the figures provided in the media release, more than 97 per cent of Australians now live within a 20-minute drive of a general practice that bulk bills all patients.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said patients were paying less for GP visits, with one in two general practices across Australia now committed to fully bulk billing.
He also said the new arrangements had made bulk billing a more attractive option for doctors and practice managers.
Government Highlights Savings for Patients and Families
Moncrieff said the increase in fully bulk billing practices in Hughes reflected the impact of the Government’s investment in Medicare.
“One year ago, our government introduced the single largest investment into bulk billing in Medicare’s history. The results are now in: 4,000 fully bulk billing GPs across Australia, including a big increase to 23 right here in Hughes,” he said.
He also highlighted other healthcare measures, including protecting bulk billing and expanding access to $25 prescriptions, saying these initiatives were aimed at reducing costs for patients and families.
Residents can search for fully bulk billing GP practices through the Healthdirect Australian health services directory.
