Palaszczuk’s Government is introducing a new tax for general practice that will signal the end of bulk billing in Queensland. 

Bulk billing medical centres, which rely entirely on Medicare for funding, will effectively come to an end. This is because, the QLD government will impose a 5% payroll tax on contractor general practitioners who will have no option but to pass this cost on to patients. 

Despite many Queenslanders already paying a Medicare levy, every Queenslander will need to pay to see a GP for each and every visit. Should you be forced to pay for the QLD government’s new tax? 

Overhead costs for running general practice have skyrocketed recently - including nursing staff, consumables, and building & energy costs. However, the Medicare rebate has effectively stayed the same for almost 10 years. General practice simply cannot afford to absorb this extra tax. 

General practice already pays payroll tax on reception and nursing staff, however from July 2025, contract general practitioners will also be required to pay this additional tax. This is despite public hospitals and ambulances being exempt from payroll tax. 

If you agree that this decision by the QLD government is outrageous and short-sighted, sign the petition below. 

If the Qld government won’t protect general practice, it’s up to all of us to demand that they do before it’s too late.