Six new bulk billing GP clinics planned for Hunter and Central Coast

newy.com.au – Six fully bulk billing GP clinics will be established across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter under a $25.3 million federal government investment over three years.

The Albanese Government says the clinics are expected to open by mid-2027 and will deliver about 155,000 bulk billed GP services each year, improving access for more than one million people across the region.

The areas have been targeted because of persistently low GP bulk billing rates. In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, the average bulk billing rate is 66.6 per cent, compared with the national average of 81.4 per cent.

The exact locations and operators of the new clinics have not yet been chosen. They will be selected through a competitive grant process run by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, with clinics to be directed to areas of greatest need for fully bulk billing services.

Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the investment was aimed at making care more affordable and easier to access.

“The Albanese Government wants all Australians to get the health care they need when they need it, and we’re committed to supporting more bulk billing GPs in the Hunter and Central Coast regions,” Mr Butler said.

“The Hunter and Central Coast regions have had issues with bulk billing for a long time. Having six new fully bulk billing GP clinics will help make health care cheaper and more accessible for many in the community.”

Shortland MP Pat Conroy said many people across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast were struggling to find a GP who bulk bills.

“People across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast are paying too much just to see a doctor and can’t find one that bulk bills,” Mr Conroy said.

“We know that the Hunter has some of the lowest bulk billing rates in the country and the problem is a lack of competition.

“We’re stepping in to make it easier to see a GP for free.”

Dobell MP and Assistant Minister Emma McBride said the new clinics would build on other Medicare measures, including increased bulk billing incentives, cheaper PBS scripts and Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

“As a healthcare worker and local Member, I know the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Coasties,” Ms McBride said.

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said the investment would be important for communities in western Lake Macquarie, including Toronto, Morisset and Edgeworth, where the cost of GP visits had become a barrier for some patients.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said access to bulk billing doctors had been one of the biggest issues raised with her by local families, while Robertson MP Dr Gordon Reid said the investment would help strengthen primary care across the region.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said the announcement came as demand for local health services continued to grow.

“We’re already seeing just how important affordable healthcare is in Paterson – with over 12 existing GP practices making the switch to bulk billing, and more than 4,800 locals visiting our Maitland Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the past six months,” Ms Swanson said.

The government says the new clinics form part of its broader $8.5 billion Strengthening Medicare investment, which it says is intended to increase the number of bulk billing doctors and make health care more affordable.

Practices can learn more and register for the program at health.gov.au/bbpip, while patients can search for bulk billing practices at health.gov.au/bulkbilling.