On 18 June 2026, the Australian Government announced amendments to planned changes to the assignment of benefit process.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) acknowledged stakeholder concerns about the upcoming changes, and announced it would support a 12-month transition period.
DoHDA statement 18 June 2026
The Australian Government and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have listened to concerns raised by stakeholders about the amended Medicare assignment of benefit legislative requirements that will take effect on 1 July 2026. While there will be greater flexibility in how health providers can obtain patient consent for bulk billed services, the department recognises this is a significant change for many.
In response, regulatory amendments will be made to support a 12-month transition period. This includes enabling verbal assignment of benefit for all bulk billed patients, in all settings. These regulatory amendments are being progressed as a priority. The Department will also use the 12-month transition period to explore other regulatory and legislative options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.
Click here to see the full DHDA statement
Summary of assisgnment of benefit changes announced 18 June 2026
The changes, effective 1 July 2026, now include:
- Regulatory amendments to support a 12-month transition period.
- Verbal consent will be accepted in all settings for 12 months from 1 July 2026.
- From 1 July 2026, patients registered with MyMedicare, residents of aged care homes, and patients of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) will be able to make an enduring assignment of benefit for ongoing GP bulk billed services, either directly or through a person acting on their behalf. Specifically;
- A patient registered with MyMedicare will be able to make one enduring agreement to receive services from all general practitioners at their MyMedicare practice, if offered.
- A patient of an ACCHO or AMS will be able to make an enduring agreement with the ACCHO or AMS, and they will be able to have multiple agreements with multiple ACCHS or AMS.
- A patient living in a residential aged care home will be able to make multiple enduring agreements with different practitioners.
- Compliance will not commence until regulatory changes are complete and will begin with prevention and education.
These regulatory amendments are being progressed as a priority.
The Department is regularly updating its frequently asked questions (FAQs) which clarify the assignment of benefit changes, including what the changes mean practically. These will be updated to reflect the enduring agreements and how these can be established.
The Department will use the 12-month transition period to explore other regulatory and legislative options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.
The Department recognises the substantial efforts by those who are working towards implementation.
Background to the assignment of benefit changes
- It has been a longstanding requirement under Health Insurance Act 1973 that for bulk billing to occur, a patient (or another person on behalf of a patient as appropriate) must assign their Medicare benefit to the provider in exchange for not incurring any out-of-pocket costs.
- In January 2023, the Australian National Audit Office released a report which noted that there could be legal risks with undertaking the assignment of benefit process verbally, without the requirement for the patient to sign. The Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing responded by asking the department to modernise the process of assigning benefits which will make it easier, safer, and more efficient for everyone.
For further details on these changes, please visit:
- Improving the assignment of benefit process | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Assignment of Medicare Benefits for Bulk Billing – Frequently Asked Questions | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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