Canberra Opens 3 Free Medical Clinics This Week

Canberra residents can now visit a doctor without worrying about the bill, thanks to three new free clinics opening their doors this week.

The first clinic, Coombs Bulk Billing Practice, opened its doors in Phillip today. A second location opens tomorrow in Conder, with a third following in Gungahlin next month.

The timing couldn't be better. Only 54 percent of doctor visits in Canberra are currently bulk-billed (meaning patients pay nothing), compared to 82 percent across the rest of Australia. For many families, the cost of a doctor visit has become impossible to manage.

The federal government invested $10.5 million to launch these clinics after making it a key promise during the 2024 election. Eight existing practices have also switched to full bulk-billing since November 2025, bringing the city's total to 23 free clinics.

Dr. Hamish Meldrum, who will run the Phillip clinic through Ochre Health Group, says they're planning something special. His team wants to offer comprehensive care with extra screening and support, not just quick appointments.

"We're really excited about some of the things we may be able to do with this additional funding," Dr. Meldrum said. He's also recruiting new doctors to Canberra, including physicians from overseas, to help meet demand.

Senator Katy Gallagher admits there's still a long way to go but calls the clinics a crucial step forward. "We want to see the number of bulk-billed presentations across Canberra continue to increase," she said.

The Ripple Effect

These three clinics will do more than just treat illnesses. They'll catch health problems earlier through better screening, meaning fewer emergency room visits and better outcomes for patients.

For families stretching every dollar, free doctor visits mean they won't have to choose between seeing a GP and paying rent. Parents can bring sick kids in without watching the bank account. Chronic conditions can be managed before they become crises.

The model is already working in other parts of Australia where bulk-billing rates are higher. When people can afford to see a doctor early, health outcomes improve across entire communities.

Questions remain about long-term funding once the initial investment runs out, but for now, thousands of Canberrans have gained access to something essential: healthcare they can actually afford.

Three new clinics mean three new reasons to believe healthcare can be accessible to everyone.