An enduring assignment of benefits (AoB) allows eligible patients to provide ongoing consent for bulk-billed GP services, removing the need to complete a new AoB form at each visit. Since 1 July 2026, enduring AoB arrangements have been available for eligible patient groups, including patients registered with MyMedicare.
The arrangement applies only to the practice with which the patient is registered, and may be interrupted if that registration is transferred to a new practice.
Patients can only be registered with one practice through MyMedicare at any time. Registering a patient with your practice will replace any existing MyMedicare registration they hold with another practice.
Practices can determine which services are included in an enduring AoB agreement. Any services included must be bulk-billed, and the patient notified after the service has been provided.
What practices should do now
- Continue to follow current assignment of benefit requirements for all bulk-billed and General Practice in Aged Care Incentive related services.
- Before implementing an enduring AoB arrangement, confirm that the patient is still registered with your practice in MyMedicare, unless another eligible pathway applies (such as residential aged care, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, or an Aboriginal Medical Service).
- At each visit, check the patient MyHealthRecord in your clinical software to ensure they are not registered with MyMedicare at a different practice. (The patient may not be aware this has occurred.)
- Ensure patients understand what they are consenting to, including whether they are registering with or transferring their MyMedicare registration to your practice.
Verbal assignment of benefits: what information must be included
Verbal assignment is only permitted until June 30, 2027.
Where verbal assignment is used, providers should:
- record that the patient or assignor verbally agreed to assign the Medicare benefit
- retain a record of the assignment agreement and supporting documentation
- provide a copy of the assignment agreement to the patient or assignor if requested
For more information, refer to the DHDA guidance on Assignment of Benefit requirements and MyMedicare for practices and providers:
- Update to Assignment of Medicare benefit requirements FAQs | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- MyMedicare for practices and providers | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
