Bulk-billing GPs have claimed more than $41 million in payroll tax-free wages under the Minns Labor Government's Bulk-Billing Support Initiative in the first three months.
This allows GP clinics to keep offering bulk-billed appointments and ensure primary healthcare is affordable and available to families and households across NSW.
Between 4 September 2024 and 31 December 2024 clinics claimed a rebate on $41,575,708 of GP wages, resulting in a $2,244,205 payroll tax rebate.
GP clinics in metropolitan Sydney have claimed 55 per cent of the payroll tax rebate, while clinics in the rest of the state have claimed the remaining 45 per cent.
Under the $189 million initiative, the NSW Government established an ongoing payroll tax rebate for clinics employing contractor GPs which meet bulk-billing thresholds. It also waived $104 million of historical payroll tax liabilities which began accruing under the previous Liberal-National Government.
Before creating the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative, medical peak bodies warned that without action on the historical tax liabilities GP clinics would close and that half of clinics were prepared to pass on a $20 fee to patients to cover their tax obligations.
The eligibility threshold for the payroll tax rebate - 80% in metropolitan Sydney and 70% in other areas of NSW - was designed to support current bulk-billing levels, provide accessible and affordable primary healthcare, and relieve pressure on the state's emergency departments.
The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative is the first time the NSW government has intervened to support bulk-billing. It is designed to relieve pressure on emergency departments, with NSW Health estimating that a 1 per cent decrease in bulk-billing equates to around 3,000 additional emergency presentations.
Revenue NSW expects more clinics to register throughout the year, and claim part of their annual return at the end of the 2024-25 financial year.
The Bulk-Billing Support Initiative's tax rebate covers GP appointments which are bulk-billed to patients covered by Medicare or veterans with a Gold, White or Orange DVA card.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"The lack of access and availability of bulk-billing GPs is taking an enormous toll on our hospitals.
"This initiative is critical to alleviating pressure on our emergency departments."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos:
"This is the first time the NSW Government has made a strategic investment to support bulk-billing rates.
"By relieving cost pressures on GP clinics, they can keep bulk-billed appointments available and accessible to patients.
"This is an important step as we roll out the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative and shows the government is delivering important cost-of-living relief to families and households across NSW.
"It's encouraging to see clinics begin to take up the Bulk-Billing Support Initiative. As we progress through the year we expect to see more clinics claiming the rebate and the benefits flowing to patients and their families."
