RACGP launches plan for more GPs and lower fees: to halve out-of-pocket costs, increase bulk billing

The Royal Australian College of GPs is urging all political parties to support its plan to ensure access to affordable GP care for everyone in Australia. The plan will halve out-of-pocket costs, deliver 6.2 million more bulk billed consults each year, and get more specialist GPs training in communities.  

Australia’s peak body for general practice and GP training with over 50,000 members, the RACGP is launching its plan for accessible and affordable GP care at Parliament House today. Independently verified analysis shows it will: 

• get the bulk billing rate back to 85% for those who need it most, creating 6.2 million more bulk billed appointments per year 

• halve out-of-pocket costs – from $59 to $25 on average for consults longer than 20 minutes, collectively saving $268 million annually for people seeing their GP.  

• increase growth in the GP workforce, generating 5.2 million additional consults per year  

• save nearly half a billion per year by reducing hospitalisations and emergency visits and improving health. 

RACGP President Michael Wright said: “The 2025 Federal Election is critical – people across Australia need urgent cost-of-living relief, including for essential healthcare. 

“Despite Australia’s world class health system, many people are missing out on essential care. Medicare has been underfunded for decades, including a 10-year funding freeze, so patients are paying more out-of-pocket and it’s harder for specialist GPs to bulk bill.  

“At the same time, while GP numbers are increasing, they aren’t keeping pace with the need for care across Australia. Our population is growing and ageing, and there’s an epidemic of chronic illnesses. Compounding the issue, our GP workforce is ageing, with a third of doctors planning to retire in the next five years. 

“The RACGP has a comprehensive plan that will deliver more GPs, lower patient fees, and increase bulk billing for Australia. Two initiatives are key – we need significant investment in Medicare to lower fees and increase bulk billing, and we need to train more GPs, so everyone can get the care they need, when and where they need it.   

“We’re calling on all parties to support our plan and the 19 initiatives within it. This includes increasing funding for longer consults by 40%, and mental health consults by 25%, and extending tripled bulk billing incentives to those aged 34 and under – we know young people are doing it especially tough and are more likely to have delayed care due to costs.   

“The RACGP trains 90% of Australia's GPs. With more funding we can train more. We’re calling for an extra 1500 training places over the next five years, which will immediately get more registrars into communities across Australia. We’re also calling for funding to remove the barriers to specialist GP training, so registrars get equal pay and work entitlements as hospital-based doctors.  

“There’s no substitute for the care you get from a GP who knows you and your history. This high-quality healthcare is essential and everyone deserves affordable access.  

“If our plan is implemented, it will immediately improve access to affordable GP care and ease cost-of-living pressures. Long term, it will improve health and wellbeing and reduce the number of people who end up in hospital with preventable illnesses, saving the health system nearly half a billion every year.”