Every key change for Australian general practice this cycle — MBS, NIP, PBS, billing, and ceased items. One page, linked to the tools that help you apply them.
Quick summary: CDM was overhauled (Jul 2025). Pneumococcal switched to a single-dose vaccine (Jul 2026). RSV joined the NIP (May 2026). MBS fees indexed. Four MBS items ceased. MLS thresholds rose. And Thriving Kids 3yo assessments start 1 Nov 2026.
The stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program (NCVP) has been replaced by the NIP. Funded: adults 75+ (2 doses/year), adults 65–74 (1), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50–74 (1), and adults 18–64 with severe immunocompromise (1). ATAGI: all “recommended” doses are funded, all “consider” doses are not — so other adults pay privately. In pregnancy a dose may be considered from 20 weeks (not funded unless in a funded group). Source: Dept of Health; ATAGI statement, 7 Sep 2026.
The 2026 Queensland and Western Australian free-for-everyone flu programs have ended; free flu vaccine is now limited to NIP-eligible groups. The state nasal-spray programs for children (NSW, QLD, WA) also ended in August. Queensland reimbursement claims for vaccines given before 30 September close 31 October. Sources: Queensland Health; WA Health.
Items 721/723/732 ceased. Replaced by GPCCMP items 965 ($160.60) and 967 ($160.60) — single combined plan and review, no separate TCA. Co-claiming rules changed. Items 2712/2713 also ceased Nov 2025 — use standard consult items (23/36/44) for nurse follow-up instead.
Arexvy (GSK) funded for adults 75+ and ATSI 60+. Abrysvo (Pfizer) funded each pregnancy from 28 weeks (ideally before 36 weeks). Infant nirsevimab (Beyfortus) available through state programs (not NIP). No revaccination if a prior dose has been given.
New MBS items 2484–2495 allow a GP to be present (in-person or video) during a specialist telehealth consultation with their patient. Designed to support continuity of care for patients in rural/regional areas or those who need their GP's involvement during specialist video visits.
Single dose of Capvaxive (21vPCV) replaces the old Prevenar 13 + Pneumovax 23 two-dose schedule for adults. Funded: 65+, ATSI 25+, and at-risk 18+. Patients who already had both old vaccines do not need Capvaxive. Those with only one prior dose — check the transition guidance.
All MBS schedule fees indexed from 1 July 2026. Key consult fees: Level B $45.05, Level C $87.10, Level D $128.35. Health assessments: 715 $254.10, 701 $71.00, 705 $227.75. GPCCMP: 965/967 $160.60. All tools on this site reflect the July 2026 schedule.
Four new items: phone attendances to prepare and review a GP chronic condition management plan — 92033 / 92034 (GP, $160.60 each) and 92063 / 92064 (prescribed medical practitioner, $128.55 each), mirroring the existing video items 92029/92030 and 92060/92061. Item 11607 (ambulatory BP monitoring) gains a paediatric pathway (age 5 to under 18, percentile-based measurements on consecutive visits), and its exclusion list adds the four new items. No fee changes in the 1 November schedule (every item’s fee is unchanged from 1 July 2026). Many other items were reworded (for example “residential aged care facility” became “residential care home”). Source: MBS data file effective 1 November 2026.
Medicare Healthy Kids Check — 3-year-old health assessment
From 1 Nov 2026
A one-off (once per child, lifetime) health assessment for Medicare-eligible 3-year-olds, billed with the existing time-tiered items — 701–707 (GP) and 224–227 (prescribed medical practitioners). No new items; no changes to descriptors, fees, bulk billing incentives, EMSN or co-claiming. Recognised for FTB Healthy Start for School. Part of Thriving Kids. MBS Online’s factsheet (28 Aug 2026) says subject to the passage of legislation; its November 2026 News (1 Oct 2026) says it will be introduced from 1 November 2026 — confirm on MBS Online before claiming.
Treatment cycles removed. Replaced by a $5,000/year cap per veteran. PAMT (Pain and Mental Health Treatment) pathway extended. Affects the DVA billing guide — DVA billing guide below reflects current rules; check back after July 2027 confirmation.
721, 723, 732 — GPMP, TCA, multidisciplinary care plan. Ceased 1 July 2025. Use 965/967 (GPCCMP) instead. 2712, 2713 — Practice nurse CDM follow-up. Ceased 1 November 2025. Use standard consult items 23/36/44 instead.
📋 Sources: MBS Book (March 2026, indexed July 2026). PBS Schedule. Department of Health NIP updates. Services Australia MBS notices. ATAGI statements. All changes verified against official source documents before publication. Last reviewed July 2026.
Information only — not medical or billing advice. Verify current item descriptors and rules at MBS Online before claiming.