ⓘ Bulk-billing clinics only. The new AoB consent requirements apply only to bulk-billed Medicare services. If your clinic privately bills all patients, this checklist does not apply to you. Source: Department of Health — AoB for Bulk Billing FAQ (July 2026).
What changed: From 1 July 2026, bulk-billing a patient requires a written agreement (paper or electronic) signed by the patient before the Medicare claim is lodged. During a 12-month transition the provider can instead record verbal consent by noting “assignor verbally agreed”. No specific form is mandated; each agreement must be kept for 2 years. Source: Services Australia (2026).
These six questions help bulk-billing clinics settle into the new process during the transition. Check your own position with your software vendor and Services Australia.
Six questions. Two minutes. Know exactly where you stand.
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1 of 6 answered
1
Has your clinical software confirmed the new bulk-billing AoB consent flow is live?
Best Practice, Medical Director, Zedmed, HotDoc, Tyro etc. — ask your vendor directly if unsure.
Action today: Call or email your software vendor and ask specifically: “Is the new AoB consent capture live in your system?” If not, use a written fallback in the meantime. No specific form is mandated, so you can use your own wording or a Services Australia template.
2
Do you have a plan to move bulk-billed telehealth toward written consent over the next 12 months?
During the 12-month transition from 1 July 2026 the provider can record verbal consent by noting “assignor verbally agreed”. Written agreement is the standard, so it is worth planning the move now rather than scrambling later.
Plan for the year: Verbal consent can still be recorded during the 12-month transition (note “assignor verbally agreed”). Use this window to test electronic signature flows in your software and brief the team. No need to flip everything overnight.
3
Is your consent wording or form ready at the front desk?
No specific form is mandated: practices can use their own or a Services Australia template. Check that what reception uses matches your current process.
Action today: Audit the front desk and consult rooms for printed consent pads and make sure they match your current wording. Use your software’s consent flow where it is live, or your own wording or a Services Australia template. Keep one paper fallback for emergencies.
4
Does reception know what to do if the service changes from what was booked?
If the actual service falls outside the pre-booked category, a new consent is needed. Within scope = original consent still valid.
Action today: Brief reception: only re-collect consent if the service is clearly different from the booked category. Same category = original consent holds.
5
Does reception know what to do if a patient refuses to assign?
They can’t be forced. Privately bill and give them an invoice to claim directly from Medicare.
Action today: Brief reception: if a patient declines, don’t push. Privately bill them and hand over an invoice so they can claim their Medicare rebate themselves.
6
Is someone checking that bulk-billing AoB consents are being kept for 2 years?
Your software retains electronic ones automatically. Paper copies must be stored and auditable on request.
Action today: Assign one person to check monthly that paper consents are filed and accessible. Electronic ones your software retains automatically — confirm this with your vendor.
Opens the step-by-step reception guide in clinic-admin — login required, free to try.