Bulk Billing GP Clinics

Family Doctor operates over 128 general practice clinics across Australia, many of which offer bulk billing for eligible patients. Bulk billing means Medicare covers the full cost of your GP visit, so there is no out-of-pocket expense for you. Whether you need a routine check-up, a chronic disease management plan, or a mental health consultation, our bulk billing clinics make healthcare accessible and affordable.

What Is Bulk Billing?

Bulk billing is a payment option where your doctor bills Medicare directly for the full cost of your consultation. You do not pay a gap fee or any out-of-pocket cost. To be bulk billed, you need a valid Medicare card. Your GP claims the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee directly from the government on your behalf.

Who Can Be Bulk Billed?

Eligibility for bulk billing can vary between clinics and individual GPs. Common groups who are typically bulk billed include:

Children under 16 years of age
Commonwealth Concession Card holders
Aged Pensioners and Health Care Card holders
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card holders
Some clinics bulk bill all patients — contact your local clinic to confirm

Please note that not all Family Doctor clinics offer bulk billing for every patient. We recommend contacting your preferred clinic directly to confirm their billing arrangements before your appointment.

Services Covered by Bulk Billing

When you are bulk billed at a Family Doctor clinic, a wide range of GP services may be covered at no cost to you, including:

Standard GP consultations (short and long)
Health assessments (e.g. 45-49 year old health check, 75+ health assessment)
Chronic disease management plans (GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements)
Mental Health Treatment Plans
Childhood and adult immunisations
Pathology and radiology referrals
Telehealth consultations (phone and video)

How to Find a Bulk Billing GP Near You

Finding a bulk billing GP near you is easier than you think. Family Doctor operates one of Australia’s largest networks of fully GP-owned and GP-operated medical clinics, with many locations offering bulk billing for eligible patients.

Here are three ways to find a bulk billing GP near you:

Use our clinic finder — Browse our full list of clinics below or visit our clinic finder page and filter by state. Each clinic page shows whether bulk billing is available and for which patient groups.
Call your nearest clinic directly — Our reception staff can confirm bulk billing eligibility for your specific situation, including whether you qualify based on your Medicare card, concession card, or age.
Book online — Many of our clinics offer online booking through HotDoc or our own booking system. When booking, you can see whether the appointment will be bulk billed.

If you are looking for a bulk billing GP for the first time, we recommend booking a longer appointment (15 to 20 minutes) so your new doctor has time to understand your health history and create a care plan if needed.

Why Choose a Family Doctor Bulk Billing Clinic?

All Family Doctor clinics are 100% doctor-owned and operated. This means your GP makes the decisions about your care, not a corporate head office. Our doctors are committed to providing thorough, patient-centred care whether you are bulk billed or not.

With over 128 clinics across six states and territories, we are one of the most accessible GP networks in Australia. Many of our clinics are open six or seven days a week, offer same-day appointments, and accept walk-in patients.

Understanding Bulk Billing and Out-of-Pocket Costs

When you are bulk billed, the Australian Government pays your doctor directly through Medicare. The amount Medicare pays is called the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. For a standard GP consultation (Medicare item 23), the MBS fee is currently $41.40 (2025-26 schedule).

Some key points about bulk billing costs:

No gap fee — When your GP bulk bills, you pay nothing. The full cost is covered by Medicare.
Mixed billing clinics — Some clinics charge a gap fee (the difference between the MBS rebate and the doctor’s fee). At a mixed billing clinic, you may pay a gap of $30 to $80 depending on the service and length of consultation.
Bulk billing incentive — The government provides an additional incentive payment to GPs who bulk bill children under 16 and concession card holders, which helps practices offer bulk billing to these groups.
After-hours bulk billing — Urgent after-hours GP visits may attract a higher MBS item number, which means a higher Medicare rebate. Some clinics bulk bill after-hours consultations.

If you are unsure whether a particular service will be bulk billed, always ask at the time of booking. Our clinic staff can explain the billing arrangement before your appointment so there are no surprises.

Find a Bulk Billing Clinic Near You

With over 128 clinics across Australia, there is likely a Family Doctor clinic near you. Use our clinic finder to locate your nearest clinic, check opening hours, and book an appointment.

Find a Clinic Near You

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Medicare card to be bulk billed?

Yes. Bulk billing is only available to patients with a valid Medicare card. If you do not have a Medicare card, you will need to pay the full consultation fee and may be able to claim a partial rebate from Medicare afterwards.

Are all Family Doctor clinics bulk billing?

Not all clinics bulk bill every patient. Many of our clinics offer bulk billing for children, concession card holders, and pensioners, while some clinics bulk bill all patients. We recommend contacting your local clinic to confirm their billing policy.

Is telehealth bulk billed?

Telehealth consultations (phone and video) can be bulk billed under the same eligibility criteria as in-person visits. Check with your clinic when booking a telehealth appointment to confirm whether bulk billing applies.

How do I find a bulk billing GP that is taking new patients?

Most Family Doctor clinics accept new patients. When you call or book online, let us know you are a new patient so we can schedule a longer first appointment. You can also check each clinic’s page on our website to see if they are currently accepting new patients.

Can I be bulk billed for a long consultation?

Yes. Longer consultations (Medicare items 36 and 44) can be bulk billed just like standard consultations. The MBS rebate is higher for longer appointments, which covers the additional time your GP spends with you. Ask your GP if a longer appointment is appropriate for your health needs.

Is bulk billing the same as free healthcare?

Bulk billing means the government covers the cost of your GP visit through Medicare. While you do not pay anything out of pocket, the service is funded by taxpayer contributions through the Medicare levy. Not all GP services are covered by Medicare. Some procedures, cosmetic treatments, and non-medical services may have additional costs.

Why do some GPs stop bulk billing?

The Medicare rebate has not kept pace with the rising cost of running a medical practice. Some GPs choose to charge a gap fee to cover expenses like rent, staff wages, equipment, and insurance. At Family Doctor, we work to keep healthcare accessible by offering bulk billing at many of our clinics, particularly for vulnerable patient groups.

Bulk Billing Clinics by State

Family Doctor operates bulk billing medical centres across Australia. Find your nearest bulk billing GP below.

Bulk Billing GP Clinics