Government responds to sector concerns re: Medicare Assignment of Benefit changes. Here’s what podiatrists need to know

Government responds to sector concerns re: Medicare Assignment of Benefit changes. Here’s what podiatrists need to know

18 Jun 2026

Government responds to sector concerns re: Medicare Assignment of Benefit changes. Here’s what podiatrists need to know
 

The Australian Government and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have confirmed they have listened to concerns raised by stakeholders, about the new Assignment of Benefit (AoB) requirements due to commence on 1 July 2026.

Rather than scrapping or deferring the changes, the Government has opted for a modified rollout. The new requirements will still commence on 1 July 2026, but with significant flexibility built in for the first 12 months, along with an option for some patients to make an ongoing, "enduring" agreement rather than consenting service-by-service.

Podiatrists and practice owners should understand these changes and prepare their practices ahead of the 1 July start date. Here's what you need to know.

Verbal consent extended for 12 months

The most significant relief for podiatry practices is that verbal assignment of benefit will be permitted for all bulk billed patients, in all settings, for a 12-month transition period from 1 July 2026.

This addresses one of the biggest practical concerns raised across the sector, particularly for services delivered in residential aged care, where obtaining a written or electronic signature from every patient at every visit is not realistic.

The Department has confirmed it will progress the regulatory amendments needed to support this as a priority and will use the transition period to look at further ways to reduce the administrative burden on both practices and patients while maintaining the integrity of Medicare.

About the "enduring" assignment option

The Government has also brought forward a new enduring assignment of benefit option, originally planned for April 2027, to start from 1 July 2026. Under this option, eligible patients can make a single ongoing agreement covering future bulk billed services, rather than providing consent for each individual visit. This will apply to:

  • Residents of aged care homes, who can make multiple enduring agreements with different practitioners.
  • Patients of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs), who can make enduring agreements at multiple sites.
  • Patients registered with MyMedicare, who can make one enduring agreement covering all general practitioners at their MyMedicare practice (where offered).

We will continue to monitor and engage with the Department on this issue. We anticipate frequently asked questions will be updated to reflect these changes.

Compliance: education first

The Department has been clear that compliance activity will not commence until the relevant regulatory changes are finalised, and that its approach will prioritise prevention and education over enforcement as practitioners adjust to the new requirements. This is consistent with the Department's health provider compliance strategy and reflects a risk-based approach to compliance more broadly.

If you've already started preparing

Practices and software vendors that have already begun preparing for the new arrangements, including digital consent solutions, are encouraged to continue that work. The Department has acknowledged the substantial effort already underway across the sector and these preparations will still be relevant once the transition period ends.

What this means for your practice
  • You can continue to rely on verbal assignment of benefit for bulk billed services, in any setting, for the first 12 months from 1 July 2026.
  • You do not need to rush to implement written or digital consent capture by 1 July 2026, though it's still worth reviewing your processes ahead of the transition period ending.
  • If you already bulk bill patients in residential aged care, the enduring consent should ease the immediate pressure on obtaining signatures in that setting.
  • Keep an eye on updates to the Department's FAQ document, which will be revised to reflect these changes.
  • Our advocacy team will continue to engage with the Department and will update our members as soon as we have more information.
More information
Links to further information from billing software providers
Stay up to date

We will continue to update our Medicare GPCCMP (CDM) Referral Updates webpage with the latest.

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