Released by the online healthcare directory Cleanbill on Sunday, the data unveiled the stark changes in bulk-billing rates and out-of-pocket costs for GP consultations across Australia in 2023.

“In certain electorates like Cook in NSW and Burt in Western Australia, there was almost a 50 percentage point drop in bulk billing amongst GP clinics over just the course of 2023,” he said.

The nine electorates with the highest bulk-billing rates, above 75 per cent, were all located in western Sydney.

Breakdown – 2023 Bulk Billing Rate Change. Credit: Cleanbill, Electorate Breakdown Report.

Some patients are paying more to see the GP

“What we see at the moment is that finding a GP in your community and finding pricing and accessibility information for them can be really, really difficult,” he said.

“It becomes even more challenging for those communities with language barriers.”

Why is this data different from the government’s data?

“In the last two months since that money started to hit general practices, we’ve also seen an increase in bulk billing. In November and December alone, just two months, there were 360,000 additional free visits to the doctor,’ he said at the time.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the extra financial incentives were making a difference for clinics and patients. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Federal government data from November revealed a 2.1 per cent rise in the GP bulk-billing rate, with the number of GP clinics offering bulk billing “increased in every state and territory”.

“The federal government’s significant down payment of around $6 billion for primary care in last year’s budget is already showing signs of promise, with statistics released at the start of this month showing the decline of bulk billing rates in general practice has been arrested,” AMA President Steve Robson said.