Two clinics in the Hunter region, located in Cessnock and Kurri Kurri, transitioned to fully bulk-billed services in September 2025. This significant change means that patients will no longer have to choose between their health needs and their grocery bills, according to local General Practitioner Dr Riajul Hasan.
The shift at the All Ways Healthcare clinics was made possible by the Australian federal government’s historic investment of $8.5 billion in Medicare. This funding represents the largest single investment in the Medicare scheme since it was established 40 years ago. Hunter MP and men’s health envoy under the Albanese government, Dan Repacholi, emphasized that “people should only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to see a doctor.” He noted that more clinics are now adopting bulk-billing, which enhances affordability for patients when they need it most.
Dr Hasan, who has practiced at the All Ways Healthcare urgent care clinic for two years, remarked on the positive impact of the transition. “This means patients don’t have to choose between their food bill and medical bill, and I can take the time and care knowing they can book in for more appointments if they need to,” he stated.
The government’s commitment aims to fund an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year and support nursing scholarships and GP training. Repacholi described this as a “massive win for families in the Hunter, especially in Cessnock and Kurri.” He highlighted that every patient who visits these clinics can now see a GP without financial concerns.
Health Minister Mark Butler stated that clinics across Australia are increasingly moving to fully bulk-billed models, recognizing the benefits for both practitioners and patients. This announcement follows the opening of a $20 million surgical center in Charlestown in July, as the federal government also sought expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic in Maitland, which will provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies.
Growing demand at the Charlestown and Lake Haven clinics has prompted the government to consider further expansions. Butler noted that these clinics are among the busiest in the country. Strengthening Medicare, particularly to alleviate pressure on emergency departments, was a central theme of the Labor party’s election campaign in the Hunter, contributing to their landslide victory in the May 2025 elections.
Despite the government’s promises, data from healthcare analytics firm Cleanbill indicated that three federal electorates in the Hunter lacked bulk-billing GP clinics as of early 2025. In February, local GPs expressed skepticism regarding the government’s incentives, stating that standard consultations could cost up to $110 in Newcastle, while the Medicare rebate was only $43. This gap resulted in out-of-pocket expenses for patients of up to $67.
The government’s bulk-billing incentives varied by region, offering $21.35 for standard consultations in metropolitan areas like Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and higher rates in more remote locations. In response to community needs, Meryl Swanson, MP for Paterson, initiated a public petition urging her government to establish an urgent care clinic in Maitland, a move criticized by opponents as “years too late.”
Labor’s campaign included a commitment to open 50 urgent care clinics across the nation, alongside a $644 million investment. The transition of the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri clinics to fully bulk-billed services marks a significant step in improving access to healthcare for residents in the Hunter region, addressing the challenges many face in balancing healthcare costs with daily living expenses.
