New Government-Funded Bulk-Billing Clinics Open in the ACT
29 Jun 2026
The first clinic, operated by Ochre Health, opened in Philip on Monday and will later move to Molonglo after fit-out works are completed. A second clinic, run by Next Practice Deakin, opened in Tuggeranong on Tuesday. A third clinic, managed by Macquarie General Practice, is expected to open in Gungahlin next month.
The three clinics are funded through the Federal Government’s Bulk Billing GP Attraction Initiative, with contracts worth $9.8 million running until 30 June 2028. The funding is intended to help recruit and retain GPs in the ACT.
RACGP NSW and ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said the college remains concerned about where the additional GPs will come from, noting the ACT already has one of the lowest numbers of GPs per person in Australia.
She said there is a risk that doctors may simply move from existing clinics to the new government-funded practices, rather than increasing the overall GP workforce.
Dr Hoffman also said some long-established GP clinics are worried about their future, as government-funded practices may be able to offer services at lower costs, making it harder for neighbouring clinics to compete.
Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the new clinics will improve access to affordable healthcare. He also noted that Canberra now has 23 bulk-billing clinics, with eight practices changing from mixed billing since the expanded bulk-billing incentives began last November.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the college believes the main issue is inadequate Medicare rebates rather than a lack of clinics. He warned that government-funded market interventions could affect the long-term stability of general practices and continuity of patient care.
Dr Wright said any future decisions should include a full evaluation of the impact on patients, GP practices and local communities.
The Federal Government is also investing $25.3 million to establish six new fully bulk-billing GP clinics across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley by July 2027.
Dr Hoffman also questioned what will happen when the ACT funding ends in 2028, saying communities could be left with fewer services if the clinics cannot continue operating without government support.
New Government-Funded Bulk-Billing Clinics Open in the ACT
Source: newsGP