Canberra residents will soon have greater access to affordable healthcare, with three new bulk-billing GP clinics opening across the city.

The new clinics will be established in Phillip, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin, aiming to reduce the pressure on patients struggling with rising medical costs. The Phillip clinic has already opened, while services in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin are set to begin shortly.

The Australian Government has provided $10.5 million in seed funding to support the establishment of these clinics as part of efforts to improve access to bulk-billed medical services.

Authorities say Canberra has faced ongoing challenges with GP availability, with bulk-billing rates in the ACT remaining below the national average.

However, medical groups have raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the clinics once government funding ends, highlighting the need for more doctors and continued support for the healthcare workforce.