This bill did not become law and is no longer proceeding.
Health, care & disability
Pathology businesses would no longer pay Commonwealth fees for three approval types needed to be recognised as MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. pathology providers in Services AustraliaThe government agency that processes the applications and records approved providers in its billing system.’s billing system.
A 2022 review exposed that pathology approval fees had not changed since 1991 and were charging more than the cost of processing applications. The bill repeals those fees for three MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests.-linked pathology approvals, while keeping accreditationThe quality check that confirms a pathology provider meets required standards before it can be approved for Medicare work. checks and simplifying laboratory approval decisions.
Fees for MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests.-linked pathology approvals had been set under a 1991 law, but a 2022 health portfolio charging reviewThe 2022 review that found the pathology fees were outdated and higher than the cost of processing applications. found they had not been updated since then and were charging more than the cost of processing applications. The 2024 bill responded by abolishing those fees while keeping accreditationThe quality check that confirms a pathology provider meets required standards before it can be approved for Medicare work. checks and simplifying approvals, passed the House, was introduced in the Senate, then lapsed at the end of the Parliament before the government brought the same reform back in 2025.
The main criticism was that repealing these pathology approval fees is only a small administrative fix and will not by itself solve bigger problems with MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. affordability, bulk-billing and access to care. That concern came mainly from Greens speakers who still supported the bill, while no party represented in the debate appears to have opposed the bill itself.
Ged Kearney MP introduced this bill. Speeches supporting it came from Labor, Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals.
Did it become law?
No
The bill did not complete passage through Parliament.
Final passage
No final passage
The bill has not completed passage and is no longer proceeding.
Time before failure
243 days
From introduction to the final recorded step before the bill stopped proceeding
Meaning
Pathology businesses would no longer pay Commonwealth fees for three approval types needed to be recognised as MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. pathology providers in Services AustraliaThe government agency that processes the applications and records approved providers in its billing system.’s billing system.
Pathology providers would still need the same accreditationThe quality check that confirms a pathology provider meets required standards before it can be approved for Medicare work. and approval checks, so MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests.-linked quality standards for pathology testing would stay in place.
Fees would stop for approvals that take effect on or after 1 July 2025, but approvals taking effect on or before 30 June 2025 would still be charged.
Applications to approve a pathology laboratory would be simpler because the Minister would just approve or refuse the lab, instead of using a separate preliminary approval step.
This Bill is for an Act to repeal the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act 1991, and for related purposes to remove application charges imposed on the pathology sector for three categories of applications for the approval of an approved pathology practitioner, approved pathology authority and accredited pathology laboratory .Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) explanatory memorandum
The consequential amendments included in this Bill remove all references to the payment of fees for these application categories from 1 July 2025. However, to preserve the high level of confidence in the accuracy of pathology testing in Australia provided under Medicare the administrative requirements, including accreditation obligations, will remain unchanged.Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) explanatory memorandum
This item specifies that if the enforcement date with respect to an APP or APA undertaking or an APL application is on or before 30 June 2025, the relevant acceptance or accreditation fee will be payable. If the enforcement in relation date with respect to an APP or APA undertaking or an APL application is on or after 1 July 2025, no fees will be payable in line with the repeal and amendments made under this schedule.Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) explanatory memorandum
This item removes the reference to the redundant approval type “approval in principle” and revises this subsection to only apply to an “approval”.Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) explanatory memorandum
Context
Fees for MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests.-linked pathology approvals had been set under a 1991 law, but a 2022 health portfolio charging reviewThe 2022 review that found the pathology fees were outdated and higher than the cost of processing applications. found they had not been updated since then and were charging more than the cost of processing applications. The 2024 bill responded by abolishing those fees while keeping accreditationThe quality check that confirms a pathology provider meets required standards before it can be approved for Medicare work. checks and simplifying approvals, passed the House, was introduced in the Senate, then lapsed at the end of the Parliament before the government brought the same reform back in 2025.
Parliament creates pathology application fees
The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act 1991 imposed charges for key pathology approvals needed for providers to be recognised for MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. billing.
Australian Parliament House ↗Health portfolio charging reviewThe 2022 review that found the pathology fees were outdated and higher than the cost of processing applications. finds the fees are outdated
Speeches on the bill said the 2022 review found the pathology approval fees had not been reviewed since 1991 and no longer matched the Commonwealth charging frameworkThe government rules for setting and reviewing charges for administrative services; the bill says the old fees no longer fit that framework..
Hansard ↗Government introduces a bill to repeal the fees
The bill was introduced to remove charges on three pathology approval categories while retaining the accreditationThe quality check that confirms a pathology provider meets required standards before it can be approved for Medicare work. rules tied to MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. eligibility.
Hansard ↗House passes the bill
Third reading in the House completed passage through that chamber and sent the fee repeal proposal on to the Senate.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Senate receives the bill
The bill was introduced and read a first time in the Senate, extending the reform effort into the new sitting year.
Parliamentary timeline ↗The bill lapses at the end of Parliament
The 2024 bill fell when Parliament ended, leaving the fee repeal unfinished in that Parliament.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Government brings the same reform back in a new bill
A second reading speech for the 2025 bill said the earlier measure had not passed and was being presented again to continue the fee repeal.
Hansard ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that repealing these pathology approval fees is only a small administrative fix and will not by itself solve bigger problems with MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. affordability, bulk-billing and access to care. That concern came mainly from Greens speakers who still supported the bill, while no party represented in the debate appears to have opposed the bill itself.
No significant public case against the bill itself is recorded so far.
Too limited to fix wider Medicare problems
Critics said the bill mainly removes small administrative fees for pathology providers and does not go far enough to address larger problems such as out-of-pocket costs, weak MedicareAustralia's public health insurance scheme; on this page, it is the system the pathology approvals connect to so providers can bill for tests. indexation, bulk-billing pressure and access to affordable care.
Further sources
Votes
No recorded votes were found before this bill stopped proceeding.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Ged Kearney supports the bill, saying it will remove outdated pathology application fees and give the sector fee relief while reducing administrative burden.
Read in Hansard ↗Wilson says he supports the bill because pathology access is vital for Australians, especially as the population ages and more people need testing to manage chronic conditions.
Read in Hansard ↗Watt supports the bill, saying it will repeal outdated pathology application fees, bring the charging regime into line with government policy, and reduce administrative burden for the sector.
Read in Hansard ↗Tim Ayres supports the bill and says it will repeal outdated pathology application fees that have not been reviewed since 1991 and now exceed the cost of processing.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
10 speakers · 10 support
“Removing the fees applied to the three categories of applications through the repeal of the Pathology Fees Act will resolve this misalignment with Government Charging Policy. It will provide fee relief in addition to reducing the administrative burden for the pathology sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Removing the fees applied to the three categories of applications through the repeal of the Pathology Fees Act will resolve this misalignment with Government Charging Policy. It will provide fee relief in addition to reducing the administrative burden for the pathology sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In my electorate of Macarthur there are a range of pathology clinics, all of whom are excellent and all of whom provide daily diagnostic tests to my constituents in a very accurate manner. It is really important. I've seen poor pathology results in some places that have led to misdiagnoses of conditions like childhood leukaemia. Unless you have a well-trained pathologist to look at a blood film, it can sometimes be very difficult to identify the leukaemic cells. It can lead to delays in diagnoses and occasionally to death. Inaccurate bacteriological management can lead to misdiagnoses of meningitis, for example, and that can have serious complications. So, even though our pathologists are in the background, I'm very proud of the work they do and I think that it is really important for a world-class health system like Australia to have such wonderful pathology providers. We are very, very lucky. Obviously, we are a big country, and there can sometimes be difficulties in providing these services to rural and remote areas, but for the most part our pathology providers do that, and they do it in a very efficient way. We are very lucky to have them. This bill is important. The government is looking at the healthcare system across the whole spectrum of healthcare provision, and this is a sign that a government really understands and cares about the health of our people. I recommend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It's not just about Medicare. The whole package of health care that this Albanese Labor government has brought forward in both the 47th parliament and now the 48th parliament is one for the history books. It is fantastic. We are looking at making sure that pathology and imaging services are more widely available for the Australian people.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Overall, Labor is delivering more bulk-billing services across the board for all Australians. I'm so pleased to support this bill, which will mean that pathology services continue to be bulk-billed for most Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The choice before us is clear. If we fail to act, outdated funding structures will continue to waste resources and create inefficiencies. Patients will pay the price through longer waiting periods, reduced availability or creeping costs. But if we support this bill, we deliver a stronger Medicare—one that is simpler, fairer and better prepared to meet the health needs of all Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill will also make consequential amendments to the Health Insurance Act 1973, which prescribes the payment for fees for acceptance and approval of the applications. The bill provides fee relief and reduces the administrative burden on the pathology sector, as well as retaining the requirements for pathology service providers to meet accreditation requirements. These accreditation obligations will remain unchanged to ensure the quality and safety of pathology services provided under Medicare is maintained.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Removing the fees applied to the three categories of applications through the repeal of the pathology fees act will resolve this misalignment with government charging policy. It will provide fee relief in addition to reducing the administrative burden for the pathology sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Removing the fees applied to the three categories of applications through the repeal of the pathology fees act will resolve this misalignment with the charging framework. It will also provide the pathology sector with fee relief and a reduced administrative burden; however, it will preserve the high level of confidence in the accuracy of Medicare-eligible pathology services by retaining administrative requirements, including accreditation obligations.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Removing the fees applied to the three categories of applications through the repeal of the pathology fees act will resolve this misalignment with government charging policy. It will provide fee relief in addition to reducing the administrative burden for the pathology sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
7 speakers · 7 support
“I rise to support the bill. It's wonderful to be here supporting legislation that's looking specifically at the challenges of the pathology sector, because it's so important for making sure that Australians get access to the health services they need and, of course, for making sure Australians are in a position to get the tests at the time and stages of their lives when they need them.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This particular bill, the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025, removes the fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain categories of pathology applications. It responds to the findings of the 2022 Health Portfolio Charging Review by doing a couple of things—firstly, addressing the misalignment of fees charged under the pathology fees act with the charging framework and, secondly, providing fee relief and reducing the administrative burden on the pathology sector. You're not going to get the coalition complaining about that. The opposition leader has said we will certainly divide on bills where we must, but, when there's good policy put forward, we'll agree with it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025 removes the fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain categories of pathology applications. The coalition supports this bill. It is a response to the findings of the 2022 health portfolio charging review, addressing the misalignment of fees charged under the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act with the charging framework, as well as providing fee relief and reducing administrative burden on the pathology sector. The bill will also maintain a high level of confidence in the accuracy of Medicare eligible pathology services by continuing to require service providers to meet requisite accreditation and quality assurance standards.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This history of broken promises from the Labor Party, this litany of broken promises from the government of broken promises, needs to be well and truly understood by the Australian people. The coalition will continue to do what we've always done: work responsibly with regard to measures that are brought into this place, making sure that the government is put under pressure to be open and transparent where they should be with costings for the review of NDIS payments and other things, including aged care. In that context, we'll also support this piece of legislation, and I'm pleased to put my contribution in that context onto the record tonight.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So, once again, while we support this bill, Australians deserve better from their government. They deserve a government that tells the truth about Medicare and that actually delivers on its promises. The coalition will continue to hold the Anthony Albanese Labor government to account on Medicare, on the cost of living and on access to affordable care. We support this bill, but we will not be silent on the broader failures of this government, which are leaving Australians worse off. We will support the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While we support this bill, Australians deserve better. They deserve a government that tells the truth about Medicare and that actually delivers on its promises. The coalition will continue to hold the Albanese Labor government to account on Medicare, the cost of living and access to affordable care. We support this bill, but we'll not be silent on the broader failures that are leaving Australians worse off.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As such, the coalition will support this bill. We understand the importance of providing fee relief to the pathology sector and providing assistance to health providers, who are also dealing with Labor's cost-of-living crisis.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“In conclusion, the Greens will be supporting this bill, but we would like to see the government take serious action on affordable health care by keeping pathology bulk-billed and ensuring everyone can see the GP for free.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill before us today, the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2024, will make pathology cheaper—as it should be, because Medicare is broken in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Lapsed at end of Parliament
Lapsed at end of Parliament
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
