New figures show that there are now 23 bulk billing GP practices in Blair, up from 13 before the Albanese Government’s record investments in Medicare.

In Queensland, the GP bulk billing rate is now 78.9 per cent, and there are 598 bulk billing GP clinics across the state.

Australians can now access over 3,400 Medicare bulk billing practices across the country and the numbers continue to grow every week. Almost 1,300 of these practices were previously mixed billing.

In just three months, the bulk billing rate for all Australians has jumped to 81.4 per cent nationwide. This is the largest quarterly jump in bulk billing in 20 years (outside of the COVID pandemic).

For 16 to 64-year-olds, there has been a 6.9 percentage point increase in the bulk billing rate, the largest quarterly increase on record.

Because of the Government’s delivery, approximately 96 per cent of Australians are now within a 20-minute drive of a registered Medicare Bulk Billing Practice.

In October 2023, before the Albanese Government tripled the bulk billing incentive for GPs who bulk bill children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders, the bulk billing rate was 75.6 per cent.

As a result of the 2023 changes, more than 9 in 10 visits for these patients are now bulk billed.

This follows the Albanese Government’s historic $8.5 billion investment to strengthen Medicare. Since 1 November last year, bulk billing incentives are now paid to GPs for every patient they bulk bill and fully bulk billing practices also receive an additional payment. 

Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said that Labor built Medicare, and the Albanese Government was strengthening it for all Australians.

“We promised Australians more bulk billing and that is what we are delivering. More Australians are finding it easier to find a bulk billing doctor right across the country, including in Blair.

“Doctors and practices are moving back to bulk billing because it works for patients and it works for their practices.

“Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare and that’s what our government is delivering.”

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the new figures showed that Labor was delivering on its promise to provide more bulk billing for patients across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“Our record investment to strengthen Medicare has already been a game-changer with more local GP practices switching to bulk billing since November last year, like the Riverlink Medical and Dental Centre in North Ipswich.

“What this means is you can see a GP for free, and all you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card.”

Locals can now find their closest Medicare Bulk Billing Practice at health.gov.au/bulk-billing

A national GP bulk billing snapshot is available here: health.gov.au/bulkbilling/resources/publications/national-gp-bulk-billing-snapshot-1-november-2025-to-31-january-2026?language=en