Families earning under $120,000 a year the big winners but cheaper GP visits will be offered to all families

Jim Chalmers has announced the largest investment in bulk billing in the nation’s history - with millions promised free visits to the GP.

Families earning under $120,000 a year are the real winners in the budget but there’s one big ticket surprise that will help all Aussies regardless of income - and that’s free GP visits for kids.

The largest investment in bulk billing in the nation’s history is designed to rebuild Medicare and make it cheaper to see a doctor for 11.6 million eligible Australians.

“The big, new thing in the budget is the tripling of the bulk billing incentive,’’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers told news.com.au.

“Even though most of the cost-of-living measures in the budget are targeted at the most vulnerable, there’s plenty for middle Australia.”

But the devil is in the detail, because the new measures don’t guarantee free medical care and instead increase payments to doctors to do the right thing.

The good news is that the free visits will not be means tested and are available to all families regardless of income.

But only if you can find a bulk billing doctor.

The bad news is it won’t provide relief for singles without children who don’t qualify.

But all Australians will secure cheaper medicines under the government’s two scripts for the price of one deal. That will save some families up to $180 a year.

Pensioners and concession cardholders will also attract higher rebates making it more likely they will secure free or cheaper medical treatment.

Children will be able to visit the GP for free under a radical overhaul of Medicare announced in tonight’s budget. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Regardless of whether or not you can get a free GP visit, the increased rebates are likely to make a trip to the GP cheaper if you have kids, or a pensioner or concession card holders.

“Right now, too many people are finding it more and more difficult to see a doctor,” the Treasurer said.

“The costs are too high. The wait times are too long.And the consultation is too short.

“This robs parents of peace of mind; it puts families under strain.It means more problems go undiagnosed or untreated. We want to change that.”

GPs incentives to bulk bill triples

The GP incentive scheme will triple the rebate to GPs who are prepared to bulk bill from $6.60 to $20.65 in capital cities.

The rebate for bulk billing GPs will also be bumped from $10 to $30 in regional towns and turbo-charged from $12 to $39 in remote communities.

That doesn’t guarantee a free GP visit but it does improve your changes of finding a bulk billing doctor.

The huge investment will cost taxpayers $3.5 billion but slash the cost of Medicare care for millions of families.

Energy rebates

Working families earning under $120,000 a year are the big winners in the budget and will secure energy rebates worth up to $500.

But it’s bad news for families with a combined income over that amount, depending on how many children they have and whether or not they are teenagers.

More than five million Australians will be eligible for energy relief from July 1 under a plan to slash winter electricity costs.

But how much you get depends on your household income and where you live.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitted most of the measures in the budget were targeted at vulnerable Aussies, but said there was “plenty for middle Australia”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Who gets the $500 rebate?

A $500 rebate on power bills will be offered to eligible householders in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

But if you live in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT you will get less. In fact, you will only get $350. The Treasurer argues this reflects lower electricity prices.

“Back in November, gas bills were set to go up by 20 per cent in 2023–24 – and electricity bills were set to rise by 36 per cent,’’ he said.

“This was the high price Australians were slated to pay for the Russian invasion of Ukraine – and a decade of energy policy failure here at home.

“Our Government refused to stand by and let this happen.

“We took urgent and targeted action, to place a cap on coal and gas prices –

“And tonight, we are delivering up to $3 billion in direct energy bill relief for eligible households and small businesses, co-funded with the states.

“More than 5 million households will have up to $500 deducted from their power bills in the next financial year.Real relief, right off your power bill, right when you need it.”

Jobseeker boost

Despite predictions that the Albanese Government would only offer over 60s a more generous Jobseeker payment, the budget has proven more generous.

“Tonight, we announce a $40 per fortnight increase for JobSeeker recipients – plus those on Youth Allowance, Austudy and other income support payments,’’ the Treasurer said.

“And we are going further to help the single biggest group of Australians on JobSeeker – those aged 55 and over.

“Until now, people aged 60 and over and on payments for a long time have received a higher rate, in recognition of the additional barriers they face finding work.

“But the truth is, it gets more difficult earlier than that. So tonight, we’re extending the extra support for those aged 60 and over to include Australians aged 55 and over.”

The change will provide 57,000 families with an extra $176.90 per fortnight.

All JobSeeker recipients will enjoy an extra $40 a fortnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Rent assistance

The Albanese Government has also moved to boost rent assistance for eligible Australians.

“Tonight, to help ease the pressure on people feeling the pain of rising rents, we are increasing the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15 per cent,’’ the Treasurer said.

“This will provide up to $31 extra a fortnight for people renting in the private market and community housing – the largest increase in more than 30 years.

Single parent payment

Single parents will also no longer be forced back to work when their youngest child reaches the age of eight. The decision overturns one of the most controversial decisions in the Gillard Government

More help for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

“We are expanding Parenting Payment (Single), so it will now be available to single parents until their youngest child turns 14, rather than 8,’’ the Treasurer said.

“This will provide 57,000 families with an extra $176.90 per fortnight.

“Over 90 per cent of these parents are single mums; they deserve our respect and support for the incredible job they do.”