More Australians in Illawarra and Shoalhaven will get free visits to the GP if the Albanese Labor Government is re-elected, with an additional 543,100 bulk billed visits and a boost to the number of fully bulk billing GP practices to around 105 in the local area – almost four times the current 27 practices.

Across the state, there will be an additional 5 million bulk billed GP visits, saving locals hundreds of dollars a year, depending on where they live and how often they visit their GP.

A retiree couple in Illawarra and Shoalhaven with typical GP service usage may save around $174 to $292 a year in out-of-pocket costs, if their practice goes fully bulk billing and their GP visits become free.

An older family, with two parents in their 50s and two young adult children in their late teens or early 20s, may save around $264 to $389 a year.

A younger family, with two parents in their 30s and two children under five years old, may save around $215 to $336 a year.

More patient case studies are available on the health.gov.au website.

From 1 November, Labor will expand bulk billing incentives to all Australians and create an additional new incentive payment for practices that bulk bill every patient, with an additional 12.5 per cent loading payment on their Medicare rebates.

This will mean nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number.

GP practices in Illawarra and Shoalhaven will get more support to bulk bill, with around 105 practices across the electorates of Cunningham, Gilmore, and Whitlam in a better financial position if they adopt full bulk billing.

This means around 105 Illawarra and Shoalhaven practices will gain more in additional Medicare payments than they lose in patient out-of-pockets if they go fully bulk billing.

According to modelling by the Department of Health and Aged Care, the 4,800 practices will receive an average of $344,000 in additional Medicare payments a year.

The additional Medicare payments a bulk billed practice may receive each year will depend on a range of factors, including the practice location and how many Medicare services it provides each year:

* ‘City & Metro’ refers to practices in locations with MMM1 remoteness classification. ‘Regional & Rural’ refers to practices in locations with MMM2-5 remoteness classifications. A ‘small GP practice’ provides around 6,000 to 6,500 Medicare services a year, while a ‘very large GP practice’ provides around over 60,000 Medicare services a year.

The $8.5 billion investment from the Albanese Labor Government is the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, and it will deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed GP visits nationally.

Labor’s record investment restores the $8.3 billion the Australian Medical Association says was cut from Medicare through the funding freeze initiated by Peter Dutton a decade ago.

Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:

“Australia's doctors voted Peter Dutton the worst Health Minister in Medicare history for a reason.

“The Liberals promised there'd be ‘no cuts to health’ last time and within a few months, Peter Dutton, as Health Minister, tried to cut $50 billion out of public hospitals and abolish bulk billing altogether.”

“Then Peter Dutton started a six-year freeze to Medicare rebates that froze GP incomes and stripped billions out of Medicare.”

“Peter Dutton's record on Medicare isn't just scary, it's bloody terrifying. Why would you trust the person who created this mess in the first place to clean it up?”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips:

“Labor built Medicare, we will protect it and improve it for all Australians.

“I have been meeting with local GPs and working towards the best outcome for them and their patients. More bulk billing means there will be more free GP visits right across the South Coast.

“Around 40 GP practices in Gilmore will get support to go fully bulk billing, getting more in Medicare payments than they lose in charging patients out-of-pockets.

“We want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the healthcare they need.”

“At this election Australia faces a choice: a stronger Medicare with more bulk billing for all Australians under Labor, or more cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton's Liberals.”

“A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago.”

Statement from Shoalhaven Medical Centres principal Annette Pham:

Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres welcome the government’s commitment to strengthening Medicare through increased bulk-billing incentives and historic investment in primary healthcare.

As a dedicated bulk-billing GP practice, SFMC understand the critical role that accessible and affordable healthcare plays in the well-being of our community. This initiative will directly support our ability to continue providing high-quality, fully bulk-billed consultations, ensuring that no patient has to forgo medical care due to financial constraints.

For our patients and their families in Shoalhaven, this means greater access to essential healthcare services without the stress of out-of-pocket costs. With rising costs of living, families should not have to choose between their health and other financial priorities.

By reinforcing bulk-billing, this investment ensures that children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions can receive timely care, leading to better health outcomes and a stronger, healthier community.

Furthermore, addressing the shortage of doctors and nurses through improved training and workforce incentives will have a lasting impact on our region.

More medical professionals will mean shorter wait times, improved continuity of care, and the ability to offer more comprehensive services locally.

Strengthening primary healthcare also reduces the burden on hospitals and emergency departments, ensuring that every patient receives the right care at the right time.

This is a positive step towards making quality healthcare more accessible and sustainable for all. As a bulk-billing GP practice, we remain committed to delivering excellent care to our patients and are encouraged by these measures to support both practitioners and the communities we serve.

Photo: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips met with health professionals at the Shoalhaven Medical Centres who have welcomed Labor’s bulk billing plan