FAMILIES across Blair are finding it easier to see a GP without worrying about the cost, with new figures showing a strong increase in bulk billing services across the region.
There are now 23 bulk billing GP practices in Blair, up from 13 just over a year ago.
This means more local residents can visit a doctor without out-of-pocket expenses, using only their Medicare card.
The improvement in Blair reflects a broader trend across Queensland, where the GP bulk billing rate has reached 78.9 per cent, supported by 598 bulk billing GP clinics statewide.
Across Australia, access to bulk billing continues to grow, with more than 3,400 Medicare bulk billing practices now operating nationwide. Almost 1,300 of these clinics previously charged mixed fees, highlighting a shift back towards fully bulk billed care.
In just three months, the national bulk billing rate has risen to 81.4 per cent, representing the largest quarterly increase in 20 years, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For people aged 16 to 64, bulk billing has increased by 6.9 percentage points, the biggest quarterly rise ever recorded for this age group.
Importantly for local communities, around 96 per cent of Australians now live within a 20-minute drive of a registered Medicare bulk billing practice, improving access to care when it’s needed most.
The change has been especially significant for children and concession card holders. In October 2023, before new incentives were introduced, the bulk billing rate sat at 75.6 per cent. Today, more than nine in ten GP visits for these patients are bulk billed.
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said the growing number of bulk billing clinics shows the health system is becoming more accessible for everyday Australians.
“More Australians are finding it easier to see a bulk billing doctor, including here in Blair,” he said. “Bulk billing works for patients, and it also works for medical practices.”
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann said the figures are already making a difference for families across Ipswich, the Somerset region and Karana Downs.
“We’re seeing more local GP practices return to bulk billing, including the Riverlink Medical and Dental Centre,” he said. “For local residents, this means easier access to healthcare and less pressure on household budgets.”
With continued investment in Medicare, the growing availability of bulk billing is helping ensure that seeing a doctor remains a simple and affordable part of life for people across Blair.
