4.3 Understanding the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program for rural practices
Tracks
Crown Ballroom 3B
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
| 1:10 PM - 1:40 PM |
| Crown Ballroom 3B |
Speaker
Ms Bianca McCulloch
Director
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Understanding the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program for rural practices
1:10 PM - 2:15 PMAbstract Overview
As part of the 2025-26 Budget, the Australian Government announced a $7.9 billion investment to encourage GPs to bulk bill more patients and support practices that bulk bill all of their services. This investment recognises the central role that general practice plays within Australia’s healthcare system and the importance of ensuring all patients can access the primary care they need. The presentation will cover the two components of the announcement, with particular focus on understanding the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program for rural practices.
Taking effect from 1 November 2025, the Government will expand eligibility for bulk billing incentives to all Australians. This means that GPs will be able to claim incentives when they bulk bill an additional 15 million Australians aged 16 and over who do not a hold a Commonwealth concession card. Incentives will continue to scale with remoteness up to 190% of existing rebates and apply to the majority of non-referred attendance items. In addition, the Government will introduce the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program which will provide a 12.5% loading on Medicare rebates, paid quarterly, when GPs and practices agree to bulk bill all of their patients for all GP non-referred attendance items.
Taking effect from 1 November 2025, the Government will expand eligibility for bulk billing incentives to all Australians. This means that GPs will be able to claim incentives when they bulk bill an additional 15 million Australians aged 16 and over who do not a hold a Commonwealth concession card. Incentives will continue to scale with remoteness up to 190% of existing rebates and apply to the majority of non-referred attendance items. In addition, the Government will introduce the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program which will provide a 12.5% loading on Medicare rebates, paid quarterly, when GPs and practices agree to bulk bill all of their patients for all GP non-referred attendance items.
Biography
Bianca McCulloch has over 25 years of experience in the public service, including 15 years in health program design and digital transformation. She is currently the Director of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program Design and Implementation Section at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care.
Bianca has led several high-impact initiatives across government, including the design and implementation of the MyMedicare system, which she oversaw from inception to go-live as Director at Services Australia. She also played a pivotal role in the rapid deployment of COVID-19 telehealth items at the onset of the pandemic, for which she was awarded an Australia Day Medal in recognition of her leadership and service.
Her career spans a broad range of health-related areas, including digital health reform, Medicare benefits and claiming, provider eligibility, and stakeholder engagement with key primary care sector bodies.
Bianca holds a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master in Public Policy, and a Diploma of Project Management, and is known for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and commitment to improving health outcomes for Australians.
