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If you hold a concession card, pension, or DVA card — or if you’re caring for children under 16 — your access to free GP visits through bulk billing has always been stronger. The 2025 changes made it even more so. Here’s what you need to know.
Priority Groups: Who Gets the Strongest Bulk Billing Access
Medicare’s bulk billing system has always prioritised certain groups. GPs earn a higher incentive rate for bulk billing these patients than for general Medicare cardholders — creating a stronger financial reason to guarantee them free visits.
| Group | Bulk Billing Access | What to Carry |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pensioners | Highest priority | Pensioner Concession Card + Medicare card |
| Concession card holders | Highest priority | Concession card + Medicare card |
| DVA card holders | Highest priority | DVA card + Medicare card |
| Children under 16 | Highest priority | Medicare card (child listed) |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander | Priority access | Medicare card + Health Assessment eligibility |
| Refugees | Priority access | Medicare card |
| People experiencing homelessness | Priority access | Medicare card (or assistance from service) |
In practice: If you’re in one of these groups and your GP is charging you gap fees, it’s worth asking why — and looking for a bulk-billing clinic if the answer isn’t satisfactory.
What Changed on 1 November 2025
The November 2025 changes expanded the $20.65 per-consultation incentive to all Medicare cardholders — not just priority groups. But the priority groups still receive a higher incentive rate, making them even more financially attractive for GPs to bulk bill.
The net effect: priority patients are now even more likely to be bulk billed, because the financial incentive structure is stronger across the board. Clinics that converted to universal bulk billing under BBPIP must bulk bill everyone — which benefits priority patients at practices that previously made exceptions.
Concession Cards: What They Are and Who Qualifies
Holding a concession card is one of the strongest triggers for bulk billing access. The cards relevant to GP access include:
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC): Issued by Services Australia to Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment recipients. The strongest concession entitlement.
- Health Care Card (HCC): Issued to JobSeeker recipients and some low-income earners. Includes bulk billing priority access.
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC): For older Australians who don’t qualify for the Age Pension but meet income tests. Includes priority bulk billing.
- DVA Gold or White Card: For veterans — covers treatment for service-related conditions (Gold) or all conditions (White).
If you think you might qualify for a concession card but haven’t applied, contact Services Australia. Centrelink processes most applications, and eligibility is assessed based on your income and circumstances.
Children Under 16: What Parents Need to Know
Children under 16 have been a priority bulk billing group for many years. Any GP who bulk bills should bulk bill children in this age group — the incentive rate is higher, making it financially straightforward for clinics.
Make sure your child is listed on your family’s Medicare card. If they’re not — or if they’re approaching 15 and need their own Medicare card — update your Medicare details through myGov or a Services Australia service centre.
Worth noting: When a child turns 15, they can apply for their own Medicare card. At 16, they’re no longer in the priority incentive group — though they’re still eligible for bulk billing under the general November 2025 expansion.
DVA Patients: Stronger Coverage Than Standard Medicare
DVA patients have access to benefits that go beyond standard Medicare bulk billing. Gold Card holders can receive treatment for all conditions, while White Card holders receive treatment for service-related conditions. Many services that attract gap fees for standard Medicare patients are covered fully for DVA patients.
If you’re a veteran and haven’t yet obtained your DVA card — or if you’re unsure what level of card you qualify for — contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs directly or through a veteran support organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I’m a pensioner, am I guaranteed to be bulk billed?
You’re in the highest priority group, and the incentive is higher for clinics that bulk bill you. But it’s still the clinic’s decision — always confirm before your appointment. Most GPs will bulk bill pensioners, but some mixed-billing practices charge gaps to all patients regardless of status.
What concession card should I have for the best GP access?
A Pensioner Concession Card provides the strongest entitlements. A Health Care Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card also provides bulk billing priority. All are issued through Services Australia.
Can children be bulk billed for telehealth?
Yes. Children under 16 can access bulk-billed telehealth consultations through a registered GP, subject to the usual MyMedicare and telehealth eligibility rules.
What if I’m on JobSeeker and can’t afford gap fees?
JobSeeker recipients are eligible for a Health Care Card, which puts you in the priority bulk billing group. If you don’t have one, apply through Centrelink via myGov.
Are DVA patients affected by the digital AOB consent change in July 2026?
The digital assignment of benefit consent system will affect DVA patients in the same way as other patients — it’s an administrative change to how consent is recorded, not a change to coverage or eligibility.
