New data shows rural Medicare reforms are working — but gaps remain

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes new data from the Cleanbill 2026 Blue Report released today, showing gains in bulk billing access in rural and remote Australia following the November 2025 Medicare changes. 

 

However, ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the data highlights both the impact and the limits of incentive-based policy. 

 

“This data tells an encouraging story about what targeted Medicare investment can achieve,” Dr Martin says. 

 

“But it also shows how much work remains.  

 

“Incentives can shift behaviour — but they don’t build a workforce or make it viable to run a clinic in a rural, remote, or First Nations communities.” 

 

The Cleanbill report shows bulk billing rates in small rural towns have surged from 21% to 57.8%, while remote communities now sit at 47.7% — both unprecedented levels of access. 

 

Dr Martin says this reflects the commitment of Rural Generalist doctors. 

 

“Rural Generalists have passed these incentives on to their patients, often under difficult conditions,” he says. 

 

“A clinic that bulk bills today but closes next year helps no one.  

 

“And, in some settings, it may be necessary to see more patients per hour just ot make ends meet. “This is often much more difficult in rural, remote, and First Nations practice. 

 

“We need to fix the underlying economics of rural and remote practice.” 

 

He says Australia’s challenge is not just a shortage of doctors, but their distribution. 

 

In its pre-budget submission, ACRRM is calling on government to invest in the Rural Generalist Pathway, strengthen support for rural, remote and First Nations communities, and improve the long-term viability of practices outside the urban fringe. 

 

“Rural and remote Australians deserve equitable access to healthcare,” Dr Martin says. 

 

“We are moving in the right direction — but we are not there yet. 

 

“ACRRM is calling for sustained investment in Rural Generalist training and the Rural Generalist Pathway, so communities have not just any GP, but a specialist GP trained to meet their specific, complex needs.” 

 

The College also welcomes ongoing transparent monitoring of regional, rural and remote trends to highlight the needs of these communities. 

 

“We support reports like this to ensure continued data transparency,” Dr Martin says.