Brisbane crowned (or crucified?) as one of Australia’s worst for bulk‑billing GPs
Brisbane has cracked the top (not in a good way) for bulk‑billing scarcity — 72.8% of suburbs pay full price. See how it compares, with a bit of Aussie wit and metrics served hot.
Brisbane’s playing hardball with your wallet – 72.8% of its suburbs leave patients footing the full bill to see their GP, averaging well above the national out‑of‑pocket cost of $43.33.
Top-end suburbs (i.e., wallet-gnashers): Windsor ($60.48), Ashgrove ($58.65), Fortitude Valley ($52.15) and Clayfield ($51.90).
Budget suburbs (25 min out): Forest Lake ($24.52), Acacia Ridge ($24.65), Browns Plains ($26.79), Gatton ($29.05) —a shade more than half the national average.
Table: Brisbane GP Costs vs. National Average
| Suburb | Avg Fee (A$) | Difference vs Nat. Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor | $60.48 | +$17.15 |
| Ashgrove | $58.65 | +$15.32 |
| Fortitude Valley | $52.15 | +$8.82 |
| Clayfield | $51.90 | +$8.57 |
| National Average | $43.33 | – |
| Forest Lake | $24.52 | –$18.81 |
| Acacia Ridge | $24.65 | –$18.68 |
| Browns Plains | $26.79 | –$16.54 |
| Gatton | $29.05 | –$14.28 |
(Figures from Cleanbill’s Blue Report, latest edition)
A Bit of Banter (and Brutal Truth)
- Chief Cleanbill honcho James Gillespie says inner-city rent and wage pressures are punishing GP prices. Translation: your doctor’s got a pricey rent, and you’re footing the oxygen for the receptionist.
- A Windsor local said doctor bills are like “swatting mosquitoes” — constant and annoying. In Inala, people admit skipping check-ups when fees hit $60–100.
Transparency: So Obscure You’d Think It’s an Escape Room
- 25% of GP clinics have no website.
- Of the 75% that are online, only 40% publish prices — leaving patients to play financial roulette.
And when that’s your only path, you often end up overpaying… by accident or ignorance.
What’s Changing Soon?
- From 1 November, more adults become eligible for bulk billing under federal changes. But until then, a 10‑minute drive could save you hundreds annually.
- Meanwhile, Cleanbill’s national data show bulk billing has crashed from 35% (2023) to about 20.7% in 2025 — with out‑of‑pocket costs climbing ≈7% since start of 2023.
- Queensland bulk billing rates have dropped to ~13.9% vs 20.7% nationally, and 15 federal electorates (Brisbane among them) now have no bulk billing GPs at all.
Skin in the Game
(Or maybe just padding your wallet.)
If you’re on Brisbane’s north side but work out west, that trek might cushion your pocket. But don’t drive yourself silly—check Cleanbill or call a few clinics to compare prices (where published)
Bottom Line
Brisbane’s bulk‑billing scene is looking bleak—inner‑city suburbs are charging more than an extra tenner, while regional spots are dishing out headline‑worthy savings. With transparency still MIA in many clinics, it pays (quite literally) to shop around. And once November rolls in, there might be a bit more breathing room.
