The Albanese Government has listened to Australian women suffering endometriosis and complex gynaecological conditions like chronic pelvic pain and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
For the first time women will have access to longer specialist consultations, of 45 minutes or more, covered under Medicare.
From 1 July 2025, two new items will be added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) enabling extended consultation times and increased rebates for specialist gynaecological care.
These items will ensure women receive timely and appropriate assessments and are no longer left waiting for critical diagnoses and treatments.
This $49.1 million investment from the Albanese Government will provide approximately 430,000 more services to help women across the country with complex gynaecological conditions to receive consultations of 45 minutes or longer.
These two new MBS items will provide a higher fee for longer initial gynaecologist consultation ($168.60 for a minimum of 45 minutes, compared to the standard rate of $95.60), and a higher fee for longer subsequent consultations ($84.35 for a minimum of 45 minutes, compared to the standard rate of $48.05).
Endometriosis is estimated to affect at least 1 in 9 Australian women. It has an extensive, devastating impact on daily life, and an unacceptable average of seven years before diagnosis.
The Albanese Government has now invested over $107 million to support women with endometriosis, creating a national suite of one-stop-shops for endometriosis care, intervention and treatment, including:
- 22 specialised Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics around the country. These Clinics operating now and provide multidisciplinary care, access to early intervention and a range of treatment options in a one-stop shop for women;
- Developing an Endometriosis Management Plan for individualised and tailored treatment for women;
- Support for endometriosis research;
- Investing in grants to improve awareness of endometriosis in the community;
- Developing Endometriosis Living Guidelines so that healthcare professionals can be led by best practice evidence based information
- Reviewing the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) items used to support the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
- In addition to the specialised Endometriosis package, our Government introduced a new extended 60 minute MBS item for GPs. This longer consult gives GPs more time to better help women endometriosis or other chronic conditions with complex histories and symptoms.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler:
“Women are suffering unnecessarily. They’re having their experiences dismissed, being called hysterical and accused of drug shopping. Women’s pain is real and it’s time we stop telling women to just suck it up.
“We need women and more doctors to know about endometriosis, so we can reduce the diagnosis delay and get women the care they need.
“The Government has heard the call from women across the country and we are strengthening Medicare so that it is serves the needs of women living with this debilitating disease.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney:
“This new MBS listing will mean women with complex gynaecological conditions receive the attention and care they deserve, and sooner. It means we are tackling the inequities in the health system for so many women.
“Australian women have made their voices heard. As a former nurse and now as Assistant Minister for Health, I’m committed to ensuring we shine a spotlight on women’s health issues.
Quotes attributable to Member for Boothby, Louise Miller-Frost:
“Historically women’s pain has not been taken seriously, many women are brushed off and are not getting the care or treatment they deserve.
“The Governments changes will enable women to seek treatment from health professionals who are specialised in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain hence women will not have worry about whether their pain will be taken seriously.
“Women should not have to seek advice from multiple medical professionals in order to finally be taken seriously and get a diagnosis.
“As someone with a background in public health I know this funding is long overdue and I’m proud to be part of the Government addressing the inequality in women’s health.
“Longer consultations will allow medical professionals to take the time to better understand the individuals’ experiences and in return will help reduce the average length of time until diagnosis.”
