July 10 2026 - Assignment of Benefit Update
The ACNP is aware of the significant confusion and concern regarding the Assignment of Benefits (AoB) reforms and the limited information currently available about their implementation, implications and impact, not only for Nurse Practitioners, but for all eligible Medicare providers delivering care across a range of healthcare settings.
The ACNP is actively engaging with the Department to seek greater clarity and advocate for practical implementation arrangements that reflect contemporary models of care. We have highlighted the importance of flexible consent pathways, recognition of vulnerable patient groups, and enduring AoB arrangements that support aged care, disability, community and outreach services. This includes advocating for practical verbal consent options, with appropriate safeguards, where written or digital consent may not be feasible.
ACNP remains committed to working closely with the Department throughout the transition period to ensure the concerns of Nurse Practitioners and all eligible Medicare providers are heard and addressed. We will continue to keep members informed as further information becomes available.
June 24 2026 Update – Assignment of Benefit – from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
As you may now be aware, the Australian Government and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have listened to concerns raised by stakeholders about the amended Medicare assignment of benefit legislative requirements that will take effect on 1 July 2026. While there will be greater flexibility in how health providers can obtain patient consent for bulk billed services, the department recognises this is a significant change for many.
In response, regulatory amendments will be made to support a 12-month transition period. This includes enabling verbal assignment of benefit for all bulk billed patients, in all settings. These regulatory amendments are being progressed as a priority. The Department will also use the 12-month transition period to explore other regulatory and legislative options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.
Providers and software vendors that have already prepared or are preparing for the new arrangements, including through digital solutions, should continue that work. The department recognises the substantial efforts by those who are working towards implementation.
In addition, regulatory amendments have been progressed that would reduce administrative burden for bulk billing GP services through the introduction of an ‘enduring’ assignment of benefit option for eligible patients. This means that from 1 July 2026, patients registered with MyMedicare, residents of aged care homes, and patients of ACCHOs and AMSs will be able to make an enduring assignment of benefit for ongoing GP bulk billed services, either directly or through a person acting on their behalf.
- A patient registered with MyMedicare will be able to make one enduring agreement to receive services from all general practitioners at their MyMedicare practice, if offered.
- A patient of an ACCHO or AMS will be able to make an enduring agreement with the ACCHO or AMS, and they will be able to have multiple agreements with multiple ACCHS or AMS.
- A patient living in a residential aged care home will be able to make multiple enduring agreements with different practitioners.
The department is regularly updating its frequently asked questions (FAQs) which clarify the Assignment of Benefit changes, including what the changes mean practically. These will be updated to reflect the enduring agreements and how these can be established.
It is important to note that none of these changes impact the new requirements for simplified billing arrangements. The legislative requirements that start from 1 July 2026 for privately insured services claimed as part of hospital and hospital substitute treatment will remain unchanged.
The department will continue to work with stakeholders regarding the changes outlined above. Once these regulatory changes are finalised, our compliance approach will be consistent with the department’s health provider compliance strategy. The department will prioritise prevention and education as practitioners work towards adopting new assignment of benefit requirements – within a risk-based approach to its’ ongoing compliance efforts. We appreciate practitioners’ ongoing dedication to compliance and welcome your suggestions and questions regarding these changes.
Sincerely,
Assignment of Benefit Project team
1 May 2026 – Medicare is failing the bush: Nursing and midwifery bodies demand urgent action
The ACNP, alongside 11 other national organisations, is advocating for urgent Medicare reform to remove barriers to care and enable equitable access across rural, regional and remote Australia.
We collectively call for:
- Immediate review of the 12‑month telehealth requirement in rural, regional and remote contexts
- Inclusion of nurse practitioner and midwife‑led services in MyMedicare
- Eligibility for the Bulk Billing Incentive Program (BBIP)
- Removal of outdated collaborative model requirements in Urgent Care Centres (UCCs)
- Access to advanced diagnostic, procedural and referral MBS items aligned with scope of practice
- Inclusion of nurse practitioners in the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS)
- Structured MBS support for chronic disease, mental health, maternity and after‑hours care delivered by nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives
- Mandatory rural and remote impact assessment of all future Medicare reforms
Please refer to the attached Joint Media Release-Medicare is failing the bush- Nursing and midwifery bodies demand urgent action, ACNP Submission - Senate Inquiry into Rural, Regional and Remote Medicare Access and Funding, and Joint Letter for further detail.
The ACNP has received a formal response from the Hon. Mark Butler, Minister for Health, Ageing and Disability, following our member survey, letter and Policy Impact Analysis outlining the urgent need to review the 12-month relationship MBS eligibility rule for Nurse Practitioner telehealth consultations.
In his reply, Minister Butler confirmed that the Government would not delay implementation of the telehealth rule to enable a Commonwealth Policy Impact Analysis to be conducted.
While this outcome is disappointing, the ACNP will continue to advocate strongly for equitable access to telehealth for all Australians, particularly those in rural, remote, aged care, and veterans’ settings, and for the removal of barriers that limit Nurse Practitioners’ ability to deliver timely, safe, and effective care.
Quick Reference Guide for Nurse Practitioner Established Clinical Relationship criteria from 1 November 2025
PDF Version - MBS TELEHEALTH Quick reference guide Nurse Practitioners
Requirements:
From 1 November 2025, the established clinical relationship criteria will be introduced to MBS NP telehealth items.
This will mean patients wanting to claim an MBS rebate will need to have had one face-to-face consultation with their NP, or another practitioner at the same practice, within 12 months preceding the telehealth service.
A range of NP telehealth services will be exempt from the ‘established clinical relationship’ requirement (and will be available to any patient nationally).
This includes:
- Children under the age of 12 months.
- People who are homeless.
- Patients of NPs at an Aboriginal Medical Service or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
- People isolating because of a COVID-related State or Territory public health order, or in COVID-19 quarantine because of a State or Territory public health order.
- People affected by natural disaster, defined as living in a local government area declared a natural disaster by a State or Territory government.
- Patients for Blood Borne Virus and Sexual or Reproductive Health (BBVSRH) consultations (excluding assisted reproductive technology or antenatal care).
When an exemption is used to establish a patient’s eligibility for Medicare benefits, this must be documented in clinical notes. This should include which exemption has been used and the justification.
We submitted our Policy Impact Analysis (PIA) to the Honourable Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Aged Care on 28 August and to other key stakeholders on 12 September.
This analysis highlights the serious risks to patient access to care that will result from the proposed 12-month face-to-face requirement for Nurse Practitioner (NP)-delivered telehealth services, due to commence on 1 November 2025.
The ACNP has commenced a national media campaign calling for a Commonwealth-led PIA to ensure patients are not left without essential care. We are committed to working with the Government to support evidence-informed decisions that safeguard patient access to NP-led services across Australia.
As part of this campaign, we are calling for a delay to the rollout of the 12-month face-to-face telehealth requirement, to allow time for thorough analysis and consultation to ensure the policy does not negatively impact access to care. #DelayTheRule
The Hidden Cost of Policy Change - Patient Impact of the 12-Month Face-to-Face Telehealth Rule
We did not receive a response to our Policy Impact Analysis from the Hon Mark Butler, which was sent on 28 August 2025, when we requested a delay to implementation of the upcoming changes to telehealth. We will continue our advocacy for patients, particularly those who are living in regional and remote areas, those who are aged and/or receiving palliative care, veterans and those persons living with a mental health condition.
- This week: We've started a grassroots digital campaign intended to involve health consumers and clinicians writing letters of concern to the Hon Mark Butler and local MPs.
- Next steps: We will soon publish our Policy Impact Analysis: The Hidden Cost of Policy Change - Patient Impact of the 12-Month Face-to-Face Rule. We continue our advocacy to protect safe, affordable telehealth access for all Australians.
Following feedback from our ACNP Member Telehealth Survey, we are urging the Hon. Mark Butler, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, to implement a 6-month delay to the upcoming 12-month face-to-face rule. This delay would allow time for open consultation and for the Commonwealth to request an independent Policy Impact Analysis on the rule’s potential harm to patient care, particularly in regional rural and remote communities.
- Last week: We submitted our ACNP Policy Impact Analysis and Recommendations to Minister Butler
- Next steps: Continued strong advocacy to protect safe, affordable telehealth access for all Australians.
Advocacy in Progress
The ACNP extends heartfelt thanks to all member collaborators who generously volunteer their time, knowledge, and expertise in supporting our submissions. Your frontline clinical insights and contributions play an invaluable role in strengthening our shared advocacy efforts.
View and access previous submissions made by the ACNP through the member portal.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MEMBERS ONLY SUBMISSIONS PAGE
View Frequently Asked Questions from our Membership.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MEMBERS ONLY MBS / PBS FAQ's
CLICK HERE FOR FAQ's RELATING TO WORKING AS AN NP
Submissions, Letters, and Engagement in Progress and/or Completed: May/June/July 2026
Submissions
- National Review of Fitness to Drive
- NSW Legislative recognition of the role and functions of nurse practitioners
- Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026
- National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) 2026-2031 – Implementation Steps
- Online Prescribing Services – Sharing medicine-related information to My Health Record (MHR) by default
- Consultation on recency of practice and CPD registration
- Draft Priority Action Plan for a Neurological Nursing Workforce Strategy
- National Survey – Priorities to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in Australia
- Inqiury into the support at home program
- Proposed National Standard for Pharmacist Prescribing
- National Review of Fitness to Drive
- Medicare Integrity
- PBAC – Public Consultation on Items to be Considered – Progesterone
- Review of the Registration Standard for Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines for Midwives and Guidelines
- Pre-Subcommittee Response-Tranche 1 - Review of PBS Restrictions for Atomoxetine and Guanfacine
- Email to Emma Saddington CNO (VIC) regarding NPs and Psychostimulant prescribing
- CATSINaM Inquiry into racism experienced by Indigenous people
- Joint Letter – Senate Standing Committees – Rural, Regional and Remote Access and Funding
- Senate Inquiry into Rural, Regional and Remote Medicare Access and Funding
- Post Implementation Review of Medicare Funded Cardiac Imaging Items
- Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025
- Letter to Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP – Review of Changes to Safety and Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
- Letter to Adj. Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM – Improving Veteran Access to Nurse Practitioner Care: Addressing Funding and Prescribing Barriers
- WA Designated Registered Nurse Prescriber - Prescribing Agreement and Guidelines Consultation
- NSW Government - Designated RN Prescribing prescriber and mentorship agreement review
- CATAG – Consultation on the Guiding Principles for the Quality Use of Medicines Off-label
- Inquiry into Epilepsy Australia
- Victorian Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 Sunset review
- Stroke Clinical Care standard review and endorsement
Representations
- Australian Urgent Care Centre SIG
- Parliamentary Friends of Nursing
- 2026 National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium Strategic Think Tank
- Senate Committee Hearing – Rural, Regional and Remote Medicare Access and Funding
- Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan – Implementation Advisory Group (NPWPIAG)
- Coalition of Nursing and Midwifery Organisations (CoNNMO)
- Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Reference Group (NMSRG)
- Primary Care Taskforce
- Application No. 1754 – Surgical procedures for gender affirmation in adults with gender incongruence
- South Australian Government – Safe Care for Persons Without Capacity – Legislative Framework Review on Restrictive Practices
- National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium - PEAKS Group – Chair Bec Sedgman
- National Multidisciplinary Primary Care Research, Policy and Advocacy Consortium – Strategic Group
- SUPPORT – Meds Health Professional Advisory Group
- Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition (EPLC) – Member meeting
- Medicine Shortages Stakeholder Forum (MSSF)
- ACN Policy Summit
- Virtual Care and Telehealth Expert Advisory Group Meeting
- Better and Faster Access Expert Advisory Group
- The Council of Therapeutic Advisory Groups (CATAG) – Off-Label Prescribing EAG
- Partnering for prevention – strengthening the Australian chronic disease prevention system – Workshop
- SPHERE- CRE - Abortion Affordability Round Table
- QCAT Act Review – Health Practitioner Disciplinary Jurisdiction – Round Table
- ACSQHC- IV FLUIDS EAG
- ACSQHC- Health Services Medication Expert Advisory Group
- International Council of Nurses – Advanced Practice Network
- Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC) – RN/ NP Colposcopist Workforce in Victoria - Meeting 1
Removal of the Collaborative Arrangements
Updated - 01/11/2024
From 1 November 2024, there will no longer be a requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement for patients to access Medicare and PBS entitlements. This outcome reflects 18 months of dedicated work by the Department of Health and Aged Care, alongside ACNP’s sustained advocacy.
Key Information on the Collaborative Arrangements Change:
- What Were Collaborative Arrangements?
Collaborative Arrangements allowed patients to access MBS rebates and PBS subsidies for services by Nurse Practitioners. Removing this requirement will reduce administrative burdens for many NPs and improve patient access to affordable healthcare. - What Does (and Doesn’t) Change?
Importantly, there are no changes to Nurse Practitioner clinical practice, prescribing rights, or collaborative patient care. This change focuses on access to MBS rebates and PBS subsidies, helping patients reduce out-of-pocket costs while ensuring NPs continue providing autonomous, collaborative care. The Collaborative Arrangements were often misinterpreted as a requirement for medical supervision of NPs. As this was never actually a requirement, there is still no requirement for medical supervision of NP practice.
Read the ACNP Media Release HERE
Quotes attributable to Leanne Boase, Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nurse Practitioners:
“The requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement has frequently been misinterpreted, hindering access to Nurse Practitioner care. Nurses are fundamentally collaborative health professionals, underpinned by our educational and professional standards."