Half of Australians skip doctor visits to save money
One in two Australians delayed or skipped medical care in 2026 due to cost.
About half of Australians delayed or skipped some form of medical care in 2026 due to cost, according to the Consumers Health Forum. Nearly 30 per cent cancelled specialist appointments such as psychiatry or surgery over the past three years.
Out-of-pocket costs for initial specialist visits jumped 67 per cent from 2016 to 2025, double the rate of inflation. Medicare's share of specialist fees has shrunk to only 55 per cent, down from 72 per cent in 2004.
Real out-of-pocket health spending rose 33 per cent over the past decade. GP bulk-billing improved to 84.1 per cent nationally as of June, but gaps remain.
The ACT records 59.3 per cent bulk-billing while the Northern Territory leads at 90.8 per cent. More than 3,800 general practices fully bulk-bill across Australia.
- 50 per cent
- Australians skipping care in 2026
- Nearly 30 per cent
- Specialist appointments cancelled in
- 67 per cent from 2016 to 2025
- Out-of-pocket specialist cost increase
Why it mattersMany people defer necessary care due to cost, risking untreated illness and more expensive health problems later.
AustraliaAustralians are skipping GP and specialist visits because out-of-pocket gaps exceed what they can afford, deepening health inequality.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 h ago
