The bulk-billing rate rose 2.1 per cent to 77.7 per cent in March, according to government data.
More Australians did not have to pay for an estimated 950,000 extra trips to the doctor in the past five months, federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.
The increase in Medicare payments "is a win all round", Health Minister Mark Butler says. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
Medicare payments for doctors in major cities who bulk-billed for a standard consult had increased by 34 per cent, while rural and regional doctors had received an extra 50 per cent, Mr Butler said.
"This is a win all round - for patients, doctors and the health system," he said.
Tasmania recorded the highest increase in bulk billing since the new incentives came into effect in November, up five per cent, while the ACT recorded the lowest, up 1.3 per cent.
NSW has the highest bulk-billing rate and is the only state to achieve more than 80 per cent, while the ACT has the lowest at just over 50 per cent.
The bulk-billing rate in all other states and the Northern Territory is in the 70s.
Training places for rural GPs are also being expanded in 2024 to help tackle surging demand.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is set to take up to 165 doctors under the Australian General Practice Training program, while 188 trainees will be offered places under a rural training scheme.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has also recorded an increase in demand with an increase of 88 trainees places from 2023, up to 1255.
The extra training places would result in more doctors in rural and regional communities, the health minister said.
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