Income is important. After years of training, exams and often significant personal sacrifice, every GP wants fair remuneration. Yet when doctors look back on the roles that brought them the greatest professional fulfilment — and the ones they left — the percentage split or base salary is rarely the deciding factor.

Australia’s general practice sector has recorded another strong rise in bulk billing, with the national rate reaching 84.1% for the June 2026 quarter. This is almost 4–5 percentage points higher than the same quarter last year and continues the upward trend that began after the federal government’s expanded bulk billing incentives took effect from November 2025.

One of the first questions many new FRACGPs ask when reviewing a job offer is: “What percentage do they offer?” It’s completely understandable. After years of training on a registrar salary, seeing a number like 70%, 75%, or even 80% of billings feels concrete and exciting. It seems like a direct measure of how much you’ll earn.

For many doctors considering a move to Australia — especially those on the PEP Specialist Pathway — the first question that often comes up is: “What’s the sign-on bonus or relocation allowance?”

Explore how Australian GPs earn income, calculate billings, and maximise earnings through fee-for-service