18 June 2026
From 1 July 2026, a new assignment of benefit (AoB) process will commence for Medicare bulk billed services.
On this page:
Summary of the changes – as of 18 June 2026
- From 1 July, verbal consent will be available in all settings for 12 months.
- Enduring assignment of benefit will be an option for all MyMedicare registered patients, residents of aged care facilities and patients attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) from 1 July 2026 – brought forward from April 2027.
- Patients attending ACCHOs will be able to have enduring assignment at multiple sites.
- Providers and software vendors that have already prepared or are preparing for the new arrangements, including through digital solutions, should continue that work.
- Compliance will not commence until regulatory changes are complete and will begin with prevention and education.
- There will be 12-month transition period, during which there is a commitment to work with the profession on the changed approach and explore other options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.
DoHDA statement – as of 18 June 2026
The Australian Government and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) 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.
Providers and software vendors that have already prepared or are preparing for the new arrangements, including through digital solutions, should continue that work. The department recognises the substantial efforts by those who are working towards implementation.
In addition, regulatory amendments have been progressed that would reduce administrative burden for bulk billing GP services through the introduction of an ‘enduring’ assignment of benefit option for eligible patients. This means that from 1 July 2026, patients registered with MyMedicare, residents of aged care homes, and patients of ACCHOs and 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.
- 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.
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.
It is important to note that none of these changes impact the new requirements for simplified billing arrangements. The legislative requirements that start from 1 July 2026 for privately insured services claimed as part of hospital and hospital substitute treatment will remain unchanged.
The department will continue to work with stakeholders regarding the changes outlined above. Once these regulatory changes are finalised, the compliance approach will be consistent with the department’s health provider compliance strategy. The department will prioritise prevention and education as practitioners work towards adopting new assignment of benefit requirements – within a risk based approach to its’ ongoing compliance efforts. The department appreciates practitioners’ ongoing dedication to compliance and welcome your suggestions and questions regarding these changes.
This information was taken from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website and correct at time of publishing (18 June 2026).
Relevant resources
- DoHDA website: Improving the assignment of benefit process – webpage
- DoHDA website: Assignment of Medicare Benefits for Bulk Billing – FAQ
- RACGP website: RACGP – Changes to the assignment of benefit process
- Best Practice Software website: BP – Assignment of Benefit Changes FAQ
