The Albanese government’s historic healthcare investment in May 2025 has been widely welcomed as a step toward strengthening Australia’s healthcare system. However, experts caution that funding alone will not drive the structural reforms necessary for long-term transformation.

Professor Henry Cutler, Director of AIHI’s Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, has raised concerns about the expansion of bulk billing incentives. While the initiative aims to improve affordability, Professor Cutler warns that it could inadvertently lead to shorter consultations, potentially impacting patient care. He advocates for a new funding model that incentivises coordinated, multidisciplinary care, ensuring patients receive comprehensive support rather than fragmented services.

In an article for The Mandarin, Professor Cutler highlights the opportunity to rethink healthcare delivery in Australia. He argues that reform must extend beyond financial injections to include:

• structural change
• transparency
• consumer involvement in decision-making.