About 78% of GP visits in Australia are bulk billed. That means roughly 1 in 5 patients pays out of pocket every time they see a doctor. But that national average hides huge differences between states, cities, and even neighbouring suburbs.
Here's how bulk billing rates break down across the country, and where you're most likely to find a free GP visit near you.
The national picture
After the federal government tripled bulk billing incentive payments in November 2023, bulk billing rates climbed from about 72% to around 78% by early 2026. The incentive pays GPs an extra $20.65 per consult (up from $6.85 previously) when they bulk bill children under 16 and concession card holders.
That extra $20.65 per visit changed the maths for a lot of clinics. Practices that had dropped bulk billing started offering it again, at least for eligible patients.
State-by-state breakdown
New South Wales - around 80%
NSW has one of the higher bulk billing rates nationally, partly because of its large urban population. In western Sydney suburbs like Bankstown (around 88%), Liverpool (about 86%), and Fairfield (about 90%), bulk billing is common. These areas have higher concentrations of concession card holders, which means GPs collect the tripled incentive payment more often.
In the eastern suburbs, northern beaches, and inner city, rates drop to 55% to 65%. Practices in Mosman, Double Bay, and Manly are more likely to charge $80 to $120 per visit.
Victoria - around 77%
Melbourne's bulk billing rates vary dramatically by suburb. In Brunswick (about 82%), Footscray (about 85%), and Dandenong (about 87%), most clinics bulk bill. These are areas with high migrant populations, more health care card holders, and larger multi-doctor practices that can absorb lower per-visit revenue.
In suburbs like Toorak, Brighton, and South Yarra, bulk billing drops below 50%. A standard consult in these areas typically costs $75 to $100, with a gap of $35 to $60 after the Medicare rebate.
Regional Victoria sits around 74%. Towns like Ballarat, Bendigo, and Geelong have reasonable bulk billing availability, though wait times can be longer due to GP shortages.
Queensland - around 82%
Queensland consistently records some of the highest bulk billing rates in the country. Large corporate clinic chains in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast bulk bill as a business model, attracting volume.
In Brisbane, suburbs like Inala (about 91%), Logan (about 89%), and Ipswich (about 87%) have high availability. Even in inner-city Brisbane, rates sit around 75%.
North Queensland towns like Cairns and Townsville hover around 78% to 82%.
South Australia - around 79%
Adelaide's northern suburbs (Salisbury, Elizabeth, Davoren Park) have bulk billing rates above 85%. The CBD and inner suburbs sit around 70%. Rural SA drops to about 68%, with some remote towns having just one GP who may or may not bulk bill.
Western Australia - around 72%
WA has the lowest bulk billing rate of any mainland state. Perth's northern and southern corridor suburbs (Joondalup, Rockingham, Armadale) sit around 75% to 80%, but inner-city and western suburbs drop below 60%.
The GP shortage in WA is a factor. Fewer doctors means less competition, which means less pressure to bulk bill.
Tasmania - around 68%
Tasmania has the lowest bulk billing rate nationally. Hobart sits around 65%, and rural areas can drop below 55%. The state has fewer GPs per capita than the mainland, and many practices simply cannot afford to accept the MBS fee as full payment.
ACT - around 62%
Canberra has the lowest bulk billing rate of any capital city. With high average incomes and a relatively small number of concession card holders, GPs face less financial pressure to bulk bill. A standard visit in Canberra typically costs $85 to $110.
Northern Territory - around 85%
The NT has high bulk billing rates, driven largely by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and government-funded clinics. Darwin's private practices are more mixed, sitting around 72%.
Why rates vary so much
Three things drive the difference between a suburb with 90% bulk billing and one with 55%.
Socioeconomic profile. Areas with more concession card holders generate higher incentive payments for GPs. A GP in Dandenong collecting $20.65 per bulk-billed consult on top of the $41.40 MBS fee earns $62.05 per visit. That's close enough to a private fee to make bulk billing viable.
Practice size and model. Large clinics with 8 to 15 GPs can bulk bill profitably through volume. A solo GP in a small practice has higher overheads per consultation and is more likely to charge a gap.
Local competition. In suburbs with 10 clinics within 2km, at least a few will bulk bill to attract patients. In areas with one practice serving a wide catchment, there's no competitive reason to keep fees low.
How to find a bulk billing GP in your suburb
Start with the bulkbill.ai checker tool. Enter your suburb and the type of visit, and you'll get a quick read on how commonly that procedure is bulk billed in your area.
Then try these steps:
- Call the clinic directly. Ask: "Do you bulk bill? For everyone, or only concession card holders and children?" Policies change, so always confirm before booking.
- Use healthdirect.gov.au. The Service Finder lets you filter by bulk billing practices in your postcode.
- Try larger medical centres. Multi-doctor clinics in shopping centres or near train stations are more likely to bulk bill than small standalone practices.
- Check if you qualify for concession rates. If you hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, mention it when you book. Many clinics that don't bulk bill the general public will bulk bill you.
- Ask about telehealth. Phone consultations have lower MBS fees but are more commonly bulk billed. If your issue doesn't require a physical exam, a bulk-billed phone consult can save you $40 to $70.
For more on what Medicare actually pays for different procedures, read Medicare Rebates and Schedule Fees: What You Actually Pay Out of Pocket.
If you're a student, pensioner, or visa holder wondering about your eligibility, check out Bulk Billing for Students, Pensioners, and Visa Holders: Your Options.
Got questions about how bulk billing works? Our FAQ page covers the basics.