MyMedicare
Patients can now strengthen their relationship with their preferred primary care team and improve their continuity of care through MyMedicare. MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration model.
General practices have been able to register with MyMedicare since 1 July 2023. Patients with a Medicare card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card have been able to register in MyMedicare since 1 October 2023.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs)
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) are easing the pressure on hospitals and emergency departments. They give Australian families more options to see a healthcare professional when they have an urgent, but not life-threatening, need for care. 87 Medicare UCCs have been established. The 2025-26 a further 50 Medicare UCCs will be established, taking the total number of clinics to 137 nationally.
Supporting bulk billing in general practice
We are expanding eligibility for bulk billing incentives to all Australians and establishing the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program to support general practices to bulk bill all patients. The new bulk billing incentives start on 1 November 2025.
After-hours review
The After Hours Review identified ways to improve equitable and sustainable access to after-hours primary care. The Primary Care and Workforce Reviews Taskforce is advising the government on how to respond.
Working Better for Medicare Review
The Working Better for Medicare Review examined how effective our current health workforce ‘distribution levers’ are. These levers consist of policies and geographic classifications that aim to distribute health workforce across areas that need them most. The Primary Care and Workforce Reviews Taskforce is advising the government on how to respond.
Reducing disparity in access to primary care
This measure provides extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to deliver essential care to people in remote communities. Find out more about funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Improving First Nations cancer outcomes
This measure supports the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) sector to respond to and support cancer care needs on the ground. It will also ensure mainstream services are culturally safe and accessible by First Nations people with cancer.
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive aims to support every aged care resident to receive quality primary care services from a regular GP and practice. From 1 August 2024, GPs and practices registered in MyMedicare have received incentive payments for providing their registered patients who permanently live in a residential aged care home with regular visits and better care planning. This will improve continuity of care and reduce avoidable hospitalisations.