Australia's bulk billing rate has climbed to 84.1 per cent for the June 2026 quarter, up almost five percentage points from the same period last year, according to Health Minister Mark Butler.
The national figure, released on Thursday, shows the increase is ahead of schedule, with the government attributing the rise to record investment in Medicare.
Biggest gains among working-age Australians
Patients aged between 16 and 64 saw the largest improvement, with bulk billing rates jumping more than 8 per cent to 78.6 per cent.
Butler said the numbers demonstrate the government's commitment to making healthcare more affordable.
"Our government is delivering more bulk billing to more Australians," Butler said. "Across the country more and more GP practices are becoming fully bulk billing clinics meaning all patients need is their Medicare card, not their credit card. It's good for patients hip pockets and good for their health."
State and territory breakdown
All states and territories recorded growth, with the Northern Territory leading at 90.8 per cent (up 13.0 percentage points). The ACT remains the only jurisdiction below 75 per cent at 59.3 per cent (up 2.4 percentage points).
- NSW: 87.5 per cent (up 4.1 percentage points)
- Victoria: 85.7 per cent (up 5.7 percentage points)
- Queensland: 82 per cent (up 4.7 percentage points)
- South Australia: 82.5 per cent (up 6.0 percentage points)
- Western Australia: 76.8 per cent (up 4.8 percentage points)
- Tasmania: 80.8 per cent (up 5.5 percentage points)
- Northern Territory: 90.8 per cent (up 13.0 percentage points)
- ACT: 59.3 per cent (up 2.4 percentage points)
