The federal government has vowed to offer free doctor visits by 2030, highlighting this commitment as a key healthcare promise ahead of the upcoming election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Labor intends to invest $8.5 billion over four years to implement universal bulk-billing, aiming to ensure that 90% of GP visits are free. He emphasised, “I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card,” reinforcing the accessibility of healthcare.
Labor’s strategy aims to extend bulk-billing incentives to all adults, not just children and concession holders, by providing additional funding to encourage doctors and clinics to bulk-bill. The plan also includes a push to grow the GP workforce, with 400 nursing scholarships and 2,000 new GP trainees annually by 2028. Albanese anticipates that these measures will result in 4,800 fully bulk-billed practices, saving patients approximately $859 million yearly by the target year. This initiative marks the most significant investment in Medicare since its establishment in 1984 when about 80% of GPs currently do not bulk-bill for standard appointments. The comprehensive plan is set to be fully presented in Tasmania later today.