This bill became law on Nov 4th, 2025.
Health, care & disability
Health professionals can get Medicare provider numbers faster because Chief Executive MedicareThe Services Australia office holder responsible for key Medicare administration decisions, including approving some computer-made provider number decisions under this Act. can use approved computer programs for suitable non-discretionary approvals, with safeguards.
Medicare provider numberA number that identifies a health professional and their practice location so they can claim Medicare benefits or make Medicare-related referrals. delays, private health rebate processing defects, assignment-of-benefit transition issues and harsh bonded-doctor penalties exposed gaps in health laws. The bill lets Medicare automate suitable approvals, validates and tightens rebate processes, delays new assignment rules to 1 July 2026, and softens Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. consequences.
Since 2009, some Medicare provider numbers had been issued by computer without clear legislative support, while newer Medicare benefit-assignment changes, private health insurance rebate processing and bonded-doctor penalties were creating practical problems for health administration and workforce access. The bill responded by validating and authorising suitable automated provider-number approvals, delaying assignment-of-benefit changes to 1 July 2026, aligning rebate recovery rules with electronic processing, and removing the six-year Medicare ban for former Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship doctors who moved into the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas..
The main reservation was that changes to the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. could weaken incentives for doctors to serve regional and rural communities if obligations become too easy to satisfy elsewhere. Coalition speakers raised this as a need for closer Senate scrutiny and more detail, while still supporting or allowing the wider technical bill to pass.
Hon Rebecca White MP introduced this bill. In the latest recorded vote on the bill in the Senate, support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal, One Nation, Nationals.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 04 Nov 2025
Final passage
No counted final vote
1 recorded vote on the bill was found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
61 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Health professionals can get Medicare provider numbers faster because Chief Executive MedicareThe Services Australia office holder responsible for key Medicare administration decisions, including approving some computer-made provider number decisions under this Act. can use approved computer programs for suitable non-discretionary approvals, with safeguards.
Private health insurers must better support rebate claims, and the government can recover rebate overpayments even when computer or process problems caused the mistake.
Patients, doctors and software providers get until 1 July 2026 before new Medicare benefit assignment rules start, giving more time to prepare digital billing changes.
Medicare billing rules will be adjusted so eligible privately insured patients can assign Medicare benefits, and provider notification duties for simplified billingA billing process often used for privately insured hospital treatment, where Medicare and insurer payments are handled through billing systems rather than by the patient managing each claim. are reduced.
Former Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship doctors who joined the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. no longer face a six-year Medicare ban for not finishing required rural or regional work.
The Chief Executive Medicare is able, upon application, to allocate unique provider numbers to various health professionals for places of practice.Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025 final Act text
amend the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 (PHI Act) to ensure the Private Health Insurance Rebate Premiums Reduction Scheme registration and claims processes are administered consistently with the requirements of the PHI Act (Schedule 2). The Bill will also include an information gathering provision relating to insurer claims for reimbursement and ensure recovery of overpayments if there are any unintended system or process defects. The Bill will enable the Chief Executive Medicare to approve the use of a computer program to make appropriate, non-discretionary decisions relating to the registration and claims process. The Bill will also validate previous registration decisions and includes other transitional provisions to ensure continuity of the scheme after the commencement time;Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
amend the HI Act to remedy minor issues with assignment of Medicare Benefits processes and also amend the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits) Act 2024 (the AoB Act) to delay commencement of changes to the HI Act to be introduced by the AoB Act (Schedule 3). The Bill will reinforce the policy intent of the legislative changes made to support bulk billed and simplified billing assignments of Medicare benefits. The Bill will postpone commencement of Schedule 1 of the AoB Act from 9 January 2026 to 1 July 2026. These changes will support stakeholders’ transition to new assignment requirements and maintain the integrity of Medicare payments;Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
The Bill amends the AoB Act, before its amendments to the HI Act take effect, to ensure the new assignment arrangements will not commence until 1 July 2026. The Bill also amends the HI Act, immediately after the commencement of the amendments to be made by the AoB Act, to:Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
The Bonded Medical Program aims to address the shortage of medical professionals in regional, rural, and remote areas. Individuals who accept an offer in the Program receive a Commonwealth-Supported Place (CSP) in an Australian university medical course in return for a commitment to work in eligible regional, rural, or remote areas for a period of 3 years (156 weeks). This is referred to as a ‘return of service obligation’ (RoSO).Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum
Context
Since 2009, some Medicare provider numbers had been issued by computer without clear legislative support, while newer Medicare benefit-assignment changes, private health insurance rebate processing and bonded-doctor penalties were creating practical problems for health administration and workforce access. The bill responded by validating and authorising suitable automated provider-number approvals, delaying assignment-of-benefit changes to 1 July 2026, aligning rebate recovery rules with electronic processing, and removing the six-year Medicare ban for former Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship doctors who moved into the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas..
Some Medicare provider numbers are issued by computer without clear legal support
The explanatory memorandum said some Medicare provider numbers had been allocated by a computer programA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. rather than a human delegate of Chief Executive MedicareThe Services Australia office holder responsible for key Medicare administration decisions, including approving some computer-made provider number decisions under this Act., creating a need to validate past approvals and authorise suitable future automated approvals.
Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗Budget funding backs faster entry for overseas-trained health practitioners
The explanatory memorandum said the bill supported the government’s 2024-25 budget measure to implement health-related Kruk ReviewA review of rules affecting overseas-trained health practitioners, cited here as support for faster automated Medicare provider number processing. recommendations, including faster Medicare provider-number processing for internationally qualified health practitioners.
Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗New Medicare benefit-assignment rules need more time to work in practice
During work on regulations for the 2024 assignment-of-benefits changes, limitations in the existing Acts and stakeholder readiness issues showed that patients, doctors and software systems needed a longer transition period.
Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗Funding is set aside for new Medicare assignment systems
The government committed $15.2 million in 2025-26 for Services Australia software updates and education so stakeholders could prepare for the new assignment arrangements.
Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) explanatory memorandum ↗Hon Rebecca White MP introduces the bill
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to deal with provider-number automation, assignment-of-benefit timing, private health insurance rebate processing and Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. penalties.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing the parliamentary step needed to put the health administration changes into law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. turns the bill into an Act
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., allowing the validated provider-number arrangements, delayed assignment start date and Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. penalty changes to proceed as law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗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.
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 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.
Considered by scrutiny committee (29/10/2025): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2025
Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2025
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main reservation was that changes to the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. could weaken incentives for doctors to serve regional and rural communities if obligations become too easy to satisfy elsewhere. Coalition speakers raised this as a need for closer Senate scrutiny and more detail, while still supporting or allowing the wider technical bill to pass.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill overall.
Regional doctor supply risk
Schedule 4 was criticised on the basis that relaxing penalties and programA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. rules might reduce pressure on bonded doctors to complete service in rural and regional areas, potentially worsening workforce shortages if not tightly managed.
Need to check unintended effects
The Coalition said the bill’s Medicare billing and Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. changes were generally sensible but should be examined more closely to ensure they did not create unintended consequences for health professionals or service delivery.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed 32 to 23. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, One Nation, and Nationals.
Did not vote: Liberal Party
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
The Senate Journal records this outcome as carried on voices.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are votes on the bill itself rather than amendment votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Rebecca White supports the bill and says it will make practical fixes across Medicare and private health insurance, including faster provider number approvals, smoother bulk-billing arrangements and fairer bonded medical programA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. rules.
Read in Hansard ↗Angus Taylor says the coalition will let the bill pass in the House because its technical health amendments are sensible and should improve administrative efficiency.
Read in Hansard ↗Jo Briskey strongly backs the bill, saying it will strengthen Medicare by speeding up provider approvals, modernising billing and rebate systems, and making the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. fairer so patients can get care sooner.
Read in Hansard ↗Alice Jordan-Baird strongly backs the bill, saying its technical changes will modernise Medicare, speed up access for health workers and patients, and remove barriers in bulk-billing, private insurance and bonded-doctor rules.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
12 speakers · 13 contributions · 12 support
“This bill makes our system fairer, more efficient and more reliable, ensuring Australians can access care when they need it. Australians voted for a Labor government that invests in them, invests in people, solves problems and delivers results. This bill does just that by strengthening the backbone of our health system and ensuring it keeps pace with the world around it. Automation of provider numbers will get doctors working faster. Reform of private health rebate systems will protect taxpayers and patients alike. Modernising bulk-billing processes will make it easier for clinics and ensure digital integrity. Improving the Bonded Medical Program will keep more doctors where they're needed most. These are practical, forward-looking reforms, part of Labor's broader agenda to rebuild Medicare after years of neglect. For the people of Maribyrnong, this means seeing a doctor sooner, fast approvals for new providers and strong bulk-billing at the local clinics across Keilor East, Tullamarine and Avondale Heights. It means fewer delays, more certainty and a fairer health system that puts patients first.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is cleaning up largely technical issues, because clearing up details like this is really important. We're supporting simplified and streamlined billing for privately insured hospital systems so they do not have to deal with bills from multiple providers. We're clarifying wording to ensure that any eligible person covered under a private health insurance policy can assign their own Medicare benefits on behalf of the person in whose name the policy is held. The details are the difference between hospital staff spending unnecessary time on paperwork billing multiple providers and hospital staff spending time dedicated to their patients thanks to a streamlined billing system. It's the difference between bureaucratic delays and a patient having access to a doctor and receiving that treatment sooner. It's the difference between an outdated and inadequate healthcare system and one that better serves our diverse and wonderful Australian community—to support people like the Wintringham residents in Delahey, in my electorate, to support the doctors and healthcare workers like my best friend, Melanie, and to support families in my electorate and those right across the country. These amendments matter, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government is committed to strengthening our healthcare system, as always. I'm very proud to be part of a government with the Labor tradition of supporting equitable access to health care. I commend this bill to the House, and I thank the minister and the assistant minister for bringing it to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Rebecca White, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Rebecca White supports the bill and says it will make practical fixes across Medicare and private health insurance, including faster provider number approvals, smoother bulk-billing arrangements and fairer bonded medical programA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. rules. She argues these changes will cut delays and red tape, help more doctors start work sooner and strengthen Medicare access for patients.
“The Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No.1) Bill 2025 makes important changes to legislation within the health portfolio to support our government's delivery of a stronger Medicare including more bulk-billing and thousands more doctors.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Rebecca White backs the bill and urges parliament to pass it because it will speed up Medicare provider numberA number that identifies a health professional and their practice location so they can claim Medicare benefits or make Medicare-related referrals. processing, give GPs more time to prepare for billing changes and make the Bonded Medical ProgramA program that gives medical students a subsidised university place in return for later working for a set period in eligible regional, rural or remote areas. fairer and simpler for medical students and doctors.
“I understand that the department has offered a briefing to members opposite to support them in getting more information about the Bonded Medical Program. I hope this provides them with further answers to the questions that were raised so that we can have the support of this parliament for this bill. There are some key dates that we need to address so that we can commence this to alleviate some of the pressure on medical students or those who have started a medical degree but haven't finished and have a debt raised against them, not only to streamline and simplify the processes for those who are in the Bonded Medical Program but also to deal with some of those other bulk-billing matters by the automation of some of our systems. That will allow more time for our general practitioners to have the software in place so that they can commence appropriately from the middle of next year, rather than the start of next year, which is what the timeline currently allows for. This bill would give them more time, and I would expect and hope that all members of this parliament would be endeavouring to support our GPs and GP practices so that they can take full advantage of bulk-billing provisions to support patients across the country.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“I'm incredibly proud to be part of a Labor government that believes in universal health care and continues to strengthen Medicare to ensure the scheme is both robust and sustainable. At times, that means fine-tuning Medicare's administrative systems, and that is what the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 does. It will ensure better administration and delivery of the system that we all rely on.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese Labor government continues to build and strengthen our healthcare sector. This legislation is an important step to protect health care and Medicare into the future. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025. Once again we are here discussing how good Labor is for the Australian health system. This bill will help deliver a list of technical changes that will overall ensure better administration and delivery of key government systems and programs. This will include supporting the automation of Medicare provider numbers; modernising the assignment of Medicare benefits, bulk-billing and simplified billing; and ensuring the consequences of breaching a condition and/or withdrawal from the Bonded Medical Program are fairly balanced. All of these changes will build towards a better administrated and more efficient public health system. It's a win for the Australian public and a win for medical professionals. It is a good change, with our government committed to delivering better health care to Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is a practical step towards a stronger Medicare, one that works for patients, practitioners and the community. It makes it easier for doctors to get provider numbers and ensures rebates are handled lawfully and efficiently. It modernises the way patients assign their Medicare benefits and keeps the Bonded Medical Program fair and effective. Together, these measures help deliver the government's vision for a health system that is fair, modern and fit for the future. They also sit alongside an historic investment in bulk-billing, cheaper medicines, hospital funding and urgent care, all central to Labor's mission to make health care universal and affordable. The Albanese Labor government believes that, when Australians are healthy, our communities are stronger. That is why we are investing in Medicare like never before, with more doctors, more bulk-billing and better care across every state and territory. I commend the bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is not abstract for me. I know what it means to rely on the health system. I am here today because of a kidney transplant. I know the difference it makes when medicines are affordable and accessible. I know the difference it makes when hospitals have the staff they need. And I know the difference it makes when governments take health care seriously. That is why I am proud to support this bill. It's not about lines in legislation; it's about lives in our communities. It's about whether families in Moore can see a doctor. It's about whether young doctors are treated fairly. It's about whether the system works for people, not against them.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Our government is squarely focused on strengthening Medicare and on ensuring that we have a strong health workforce. That means that Australians, no matter where they live, are able to access high-quality medical care when they need it. This is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen Medicare, to fight for Medicare and to ensure that bulk-billing is accessible and equitable. I'm really pleased to support this bill in the House today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 because this bill strengthens Medicare and modernises our health system and makes it fairer for patients, doctors and communities right across Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The key thing in that quote is its reference to the rules to be made under the act. The rules affecting the eligible areas for the return-of-service obligations under the Bonded Medical Program have not changed since 2020. The eligible locations for the Bonded Medical Program are defined at section 10 of the rules, and there has been no change to that section of the rules since they were introduced in 2020. I wanted to get that on the record because I don't wish people who may be listening to the debate or other senators to be uncertain about the intent of the legislation that we're considering this afternoon. With that, I note the thoughtful contributions from various speakers over the course of the debate. I thank senators and commend the bill to the chamber.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 1 support · 1 mixed
“Every government comes in and has a look at how things have worked. I think things worked well under the previous coalition government, but there's always room for improvement. If a new government comes in and finds ways to streamline because of new technology or new ideas then that's a good thing. I'm very supportive of that. But, once again, we are presented with a bill that has many reasonable elements but has one aspect we are concerned about. We need further explanation, further information and a Senate inquiry to interrogate those changes and make sure we don't end up with unintended consequences that leave regional and remote Australians even worse off than they are currently in relation to a trained, efficient and available medical workforce.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025. The coalition acknowledges the intent of this bill, which contains a number of technical amendments to improve the efficiency of several important elements of our health system, including the allocation of Medicare provider numbers, the assignment of Medicare benefits processes and improvements to the private health insurance premiums reduction scheme. It also makes amendments to the Bonded Medical Program, with the aim of ensuring that penalties for noncompliance are fair and proportionate, particularly in light of the serious workforce shortages facing our healthcare system. The measures in this bill are intended to tidy up existing legislation, streamline administration and make sure the rules governing Medicare payments and bonded medical placements are clear and consistent. These are sensible objectives, and on that basis the coalition will not stand in the way of this bill in the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“This omnibus bill, the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, seeks to make changes to the process for claiming a private health insurance rebate. The private health insurance rebate enables, as we know, eligible people to have the cost of their private health insurance subsidised by the government. Right now, the IT systems responsible for administering these rebates simply can't meet the expectations set out in the legislation, so this bill will update the law to better align with what the system can actually deliver. The Greens have been clear on our position in relation to private health insurance. Our priority, in our view, is that we should be improving and strengthening our public health system. However, while there remains a private health structure in Australia, we see the need and the value in aligning these systems.”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 · 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 · 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 · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · 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.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2025
Considered by scrutiny committee (29 Oct 2025): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2025
APH bill page notes
