Labor created Medicare, and we will always strengthen it. We’ve invested record funding for hospitals, we’ve cut the price of medicines, and we’ve introduced Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country, making it easier for Australians to access care.
The Albanese Government is delivering a health system that puts people first.
We’ve made medicines cheaper for Millions
Labor has made the biggest reduction to PBS medicine prices since the scheme was introduced, ensuring Australians can access the medicines they need without financial stress.
From 1 September 2023, eligible prescriptions have been able to collect double the medication for the cost of a single prescription, – meaning fewer trips to the doctor and the chemist, saving time and money for Australians with ongoing health needs.
Freezing Prescription Costs: We’re freezing the maximum cost of PBS prescriptions for 12 months. No PBS script will cost more than $31.60 for 12 months, and for pensioner or concession cardholders, the price is frozen at $7.70 for the next five years.
Labor understands that affordable medicines are critical to a healthier Australia, and we’ll keep working to ease the burden for all Australians.
Free Urgent Care Clinics
Labor’s 58 free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are already delivering care and taking pressure off emergency departments.
58 Clinics Opened: These bulk-billed clinics provide free care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, reducing the strain on emergency departments.
29 More Clinics Coming: Thanks to their success, more communities will soon benefit from this vital service.
We’re also increasing hospital funding, working with the states and territories to give Australians better access to health services they need, when they need them.
The Albanese Government have delivered a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Maribyrnong. The clinic will help reduce the number of people attending Footscray hospital emergency departments for urgent-but-not-life-threatening conditions such as sprains and infections. A high proportion of presentations at Footscray’s emergency department are for non-urgent issues, which is inconvenient for individuals and our hospital system.
The clinic is located G01B/31 Edgewater Blvd, Maribyrnong, and open from 8am – 10pm, Monday – Sunday.
Making It Easier to See a GP
Labor is tackling the challenges of GP access with the biggest-ever investment in bulk billing, benefiting over 11 million Australians.
Bulk billing rates had been falling due to a decade of cuts and neglect of Medicare under the Liberals – which began when Peter Dutton froze Medicare rebates as Health Minister.
Rebuilding Bulk Billing Rates: After a decade of cuts under the Liberals, Labor’s investment is reversing the trend, making it easier for families, pensioners, and children under 16 to see a doctor for free.
Support for GPs: By improving bulk billing payments, we’re helping doctors provide free care to more patients.
Improving regional telehealth.
Labor believes no Australian should miss out on mental health care because of where they live.
Restoring Telehealth Funding: We’ve reinstated bulk-billed video mental health consultations for rural and regional Australians, reversing the Liberal Government’s cuts that left many without essential support.
With Labor, every community—no matter how small—can access the mental health care they need.
Building a Healthier Australia
Labor built Medicare, and we will always fight to protect and strengthen it. From cheaper medicines to free urgent care clinics and better access to GPs, we’re delivering real improvements for Australians.
Labor’s commitment to healthcare is simple: affordable, accessible care for everyone.
Cheaper Medicines
The Albanese Government is delivering cheaper medicines to ease pressure on household budgets by freezing the PBS co-payment and adding more medicines to the PBS.
Pensioners and concession card holders won’t pay more than $7.70 for their PBS medications for the next 5 years.
And Medicare card holders won’t pay more than $31.60 for 2024-25.
We've also Introduced 60-day prescriptions for 300 common medicines which you can view here.
