Delivering better health care for Tasmanians in the North West
Media event date: 8 July 2026 Date published: 8 July 2026 Media type: Media release General public The Australian Government is making health care more affordable and accessible for Tasmanians living in the North West, with more bulk billing GPs and cheaper medicines easing cost of living pressures. Since the government’s historic investment to strengthen Medicare, there are now 27 Medicare Bulk Billing Practices in north-west Tasmania.
The bulk billing rate in the region has reached 93.3 per cent, up 12 percentage points from October 2023 In Burnie and Devonport, Federal Labor has opened two Medicare Mental Health Centres and two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. The UCCs are delivering free urgent care with more than 48,000 visits helping people over extended hours, seven days a week. Residents across Tasmania’s North West have also saved almost $13 million on 2.7 million prescriptions, with the Albanese Government’s cheaper medicines reforms: 60-day prescriptions cutting the maximum price of PBS medicines to $25 freezing the price to $7.70 for concession cardholders for the rest of the decade.
And there is still more rolling out with our Government’s commitments of: $8m to establish a health hub in Burnie and; $10.1 million to deliver a new health hub in Smithton The Albanese Labor Government has delivered 20 additional medical places for UTAS’s Cradle Coast campus, with the students starting their medical training last year. This is in addition to an almost $4 million investment into Rural Generalist Coordination Units in Tasmania.
The Units help junior doctors move into a career as a general practitioner, bolstering doctor numbers across Tasmania. The Albanese Government is supporting public hospitals in Tasmania with an historic funding deal, delivering an additional $705 million, bringing the Commonwealth’s total investment to $5.1 billion. Quotes attributable to Minister Butler: “Everyone deserves an affordable and high-quality healthcare system, no matter where you live.” “Our investment in Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, bulk-billing and cheaper medicines is not only helping the hip-pockets of north-west Tasmanians, it’s also good for their health.” Quotes attributable to Anne Urquhart, Member for Braddon: “The Federal Labor Government is giving the North West the attention we have long deserved, but too often missed out on.” “With more bulk-billing GP practices and new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Burnie and Devonport many more of us can now see a doctor for free.
“Funding for a new health hub in Circular Head will bring affordable and accessible services to more people.” “Cheaper medicines mean families no longer go without other essentials in order to afford their medicines.” “I have fought for a better deal for health care in Braddon, and the Federal Labor Government is delivering.” The Hon Mark Butler MP Accessibility We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia