16/06/2026
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan is calling on the Labor Government to urgently pause its ill-conceived changes to the ‘Assignment of Benefits’ requirements commencing on 1 July.
From next month, patients will be required to sign an ‘Assignment of Benefits’ approval in order to receive the Medicare Rebate or be Bulk Billed.
The changes are being introduced as a measure to eliminate potential fraud but have not allowed the necessary provisions for the Aged Care sector. A significant proportion of aged care residents lack decision-making capacity due to dementia, cognitive impairment, or other serious illnesses. Many are unable to physically sign documentation, while others require substitute decision-makers who may not be readily available when the medical services are delivered, often lives interstate or even overseas. The proposed requirements therefore create substantial barriers to claiming Medicare benefits for routine medical care.
At present, the overwhelming majority of GP services provided in Australian nursing homes are bulk billed. This model has enabled vulnerable older Australians to access essential medical care despite the considerable logistical challenges associated with aged care practice.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Congahan has received impassioned pleas for help from local GPs working within the Aged Care sector who will be directly impacted, as well as the Centres who rely on their services.
“Despite acknowledging the specific issues facing Aged Care on the final page of their own document outlining the changes, Labor have not provided adequate provisions to safeguard GPs who choose to take on Aged Care clients. There is already a GP shortage in the regions, and that shortage is even more acute in the Aged Care sector in electorates like Cowper with higher numbers of centres per capita than other areas,” Mr Conaghan stated.
“To now throw up yet another barrier to providing care is more than just inconvenient, its irresponsible. These changes cannot be brought into effect without adequate provisions in place. We cannot be in a situation where either older Australians are not provided with the primary care they need or GPs are forced to provide that care without payment. The administrative burden alone will force the few GPs we have in this space to quit the sector as it becomes increasingly financially unviable.
“Releasing this information on the 21st of May without proper consultation or provisions to then be rolled out on July 1 is beyond unreasonable. It’s negligent.”
The Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution manages dozens of centres across Australia, including in the Cowper electorate. CEO Frank Price is one of the many to contact Mr Conaghan requesting urgent assistance.
“A consent model designed for standard GP clinics does not translate to residential care. The risk of delayed treatment or even loss of GP care is a very real concern to the industry.” Mr Price stated.
Mr. Conaghan has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health next week during Parliamentary sitting.
“I am meeting with Minister Butler in Canberra and hope that he sees reason and reverses the changes until provisions are in place. Our Aged Care sector is already at breaking point. We cannot see the degradation of care continue. Older Australians deserve our respect not cruel flicks of a red pen that could see them lose access to primary care.”
