Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Advisory Committee: Open Consultation - Review for the inclusion of audiometrists as eligible health providers for limited audiology MBS items

Overview

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a list of health professional services (items) that the Australian Government subsidises. MBS items provide patient benefits for a wide range of health services including consultations, diagnostic tests, therapy, and operations.

Established in 2021, the MBS Continuous Review is a program assurance function that conducts ongoing reviews of the MBS to ensure it is contemporary, aligned with best clinical practice, improves patient outcomes, and supports high quality care for all Australians.  

The objective of the MBS Continuous Review is to ensure the MBS:  

• Continues to support high-quality care, remains flexible, and stays up to date 
• Remains consistent, clear, and evidence based 
• Aligns with the needs of patients and health professionals alike. 

The Continuous Review is supported by the MBS Review Advisory Committee (MRAC), an independent and clinician-led non statutory committee comprised of health practitioners, health economics and research experts, and consumer representatives. Its role is to advise the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on publicly funded services listed on the MBS.

Background

On 3 May 2024, the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud) submitted a proposal to the then Department of Health and Aged Care seeking a review to allow audiometrists access to select audiology MBS items. At its meeting on 4 March 2025, the MRAC agreed to commence a whole-of-committee review.

The MBS items requested for review were recognised as being able to be performed by audiometrists under the Scope of Practice for audiologists and audiometrists. The relevant MBS items are:

• diagnostic audiology items currently only accessible by medical practitioners and audiologists (MBS items 82306, 82309, 82312, 82315, 82318, 82324)
• chronic condition management items currently only accessible by audiologists (MBS items 10952, 81310).

To be eligible for an MBS benefit, these items either require a written request from a medical practitioner or must be identified as being necessary by a medical practitioner as part of a health assessment. 

These MBS items are currently only accessible by audiologists and the MRAC is considering if expanding provider eligibility to qualified audiometrists will provide greater patient access, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and aged populations, particularly in rural and remote communities.

At present, qualified audiometrists are eligible to provide Government funded audiology services under the Hearing Services Program (HSP). The HSP provides subsidised hearing services including assessments, rehabilitation and devices to eligible Australians with hearing loss.

The proposal was not seeking changes to the requirements of these existing services other than expanding provider eligibility to audiometrists.

The ACAud proposed that expanding MBS access to audiometrists within their scope of practice would improve access, continuity and equity of hearing care, especially for older people, First Nations people, and people who live in regional, rural or remote areas.

ACAud also proposed that expanding access will to help address projected workforce shortages and an increased demand for hearing services from an ageing population without the need for new infrastructure. It would also ensure consistency, clarity and fairness across the profession.

Why your views matter

The MRAC seeks views from clinicians, peak bodies, consumers and other interested parties in relation to the inclusion of audiometrists as eligible providers for limited audiology MBS items draft report.

The diverse perspectives, experience and knowledge of all stakeholders, including members of the community, are valued and will be considered by the MRAC in finalising its recommendations to Government.

A PDF and word version of the Inclusion of audiometrists as eligible providers for limited audiology MBS items draft report are available for download below (see documents under the 'Related' heading below). 

You are invited to submit your feedback on this report by 11.59PM on 9 June 2026. 

If you have any questions in relation to this consultation process, please contact MBSContiniousReview@health.gov.au.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated.