Tasmania’s Bulk Billing Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Albanese Labor Government’s Funding Shortfall

The newly-published Cleanbill research has yet again verified that the Federal Labor Government is not meeting the primary healthcare requirements of Tasmanians.

The Cleanbill 2025 Blue Report revealed that there are no clinics in Tasmania left that offer bulk billing for new adult patients, and residents are paying more than any other state to consult a GP – approximately $54 for each visit.

Health Minister, Jacquie Petrusma, stated that the figures are yet another illustration of how the Albanese Government’s persistent underfunding in primary care is letting Tasmanians down.

“The absence of bulk billing appointments leads to more individuals visiting our Emergency Departments with non-critical conditions, which amplifies waiting times for all patients and adds pressure on our dedicated healthcare professionals,” Minister Petrusma remarked.

“Canberra’s continuous oversight of primary health has compelled us to intervene repeatedly to save practices from closure, but realistically, we should not have to do so.

“We constantly urge the Federal Labor Government to support primary care for Tasmanians and to provide adequate funding for Medicare in the long term.

“We are doing our part under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, because we will not stand idly by while Tasmanians lack access to GPs.”

The Tasmanian Government has recently initiated the GP NOW Rapid Response Team, with five GPs already on board and an additional five currently being sought.

A GP settlement incentive package of $100,000 is also being provided for 40 new GPs, and evaluations for our new multi-year funding of up to $250,000 annually to ensure the ongoing viability of outer-urban, regional, and rural Tasmanian GP practices are presently underway.

Minister Petrusma mentioned that these initiatives, along with our other strategies to enhance access to primary care, are resulting in the State contributing approximately $40 million to primary care.

“That’s $40 million that the Commonwealth has redirected from our Budget, that should instead be invested into our hospitals,” Minister Petrusma stated.

“It’s simply unacceptable behavior from the Federal Government, and it’s about time they fulfilled their obligation to adequately fund primary care.”

The Cleanbill Report can be accessed here.