This article includes frequently asked questions for practices and providers about the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program in place from 1 November 2025 in general practice.
See the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website for further information.
What is the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program?
The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program is an Australian Government initiative to support general practices nationwide to bulk bill every patient.
For every $1 of MBS benefit paid from eligible services, practices participating in the program will receive an additional 12.5% loading payment — split 50/50 between the provider and the practice.
If every eligible service for every patient is bulk billed by the practice the incentive will be made in addition to MBS benefits paid, including bulk billing incentives.
What is changing from 1 November 2025?
The changes can be broken down into two components:
- Expanding eligibility for bulk billing incentives – Bulk billing incentive items will be claimable for any Medicare eligible patient bulk billed by the practice.
- The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program.
Incentives paid through the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will be made in addition to the expanded bulk billing incentives.
How is the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program different from the Practice Incentives Program (PIP)?
The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program is linked to MyMedicare whereas the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) is not.
Incentive payments available through the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will be made via MyMedicare.
Is the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program mandatory for practices?
No, the program is optional and practices can opt-in or opt-out at any time they choose.
Can my practice still claim bulk billing incentives if we do not join the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program?
Yes, you can still claim bulk billing incentive items for any patient that is bulk billed. The payments made through the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program are in addition to bulk billing incentives.
If I work at more than one practice, do all of them need to be participating in the program to claim the incentive?
No, only the practice that is participating in the program must bulk bill all eligible services for every patient to claim the incentive from the Bulk Billing Practice Program.
How often will Bulk Billing Practice Program incentive payments be made?
Payments will commence in the first quarter of 2026 and will be made quarterly henceforth in arrears. More information regarding payments will be made available on the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website later in the year.
Who will receive the incentive payments and how will they be paid?
The Bulk Billing Practice Program incentive payments will be split 50/50 between the practice and the provider.
Existing Bulk Billing incentive benefits will remain as a direct payment to the GP.
How will the payments be calculated?
- Incentive payment - The Bulk Billing Practice Incentive is calculated at 12.5% of the MBS benefits for all eligible services that are bulk billed during the quarter. The incentive is paid in addition to the MBS benefits and bulk billing incentive.
- Eligibility threshold - Practices must bulk bill 100% of all eligible services to receive the additional Bulk Billing Practice Incentive payment.
- Distribution - Payments are split 50/50 between the practice and the provider.
Do all GPs in the practice need to meet the bulk billing requirements in order for the practice to qualify for the incentive?
Yes, all GPs in a participating practice must bulk bill 100% of eligible services for all patients to receive the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive payments.
How can I check my claiming data?
Practice managers will need to check their total billings for eligible services in their own internal accounting records to track their claiming data.
Information correct at time of publishing (18 August 2025).
AU 