What’s covered with bulk-billed and subsidised hearing tests in Brisbane?

If you’ve searched for a “free hearing test in Brisbane” and ended up more confused than when you started, you’re in good company. The question we hear most often at our Rochedale and Shailer Park clinics is some version of this: “Is my hearing test bulk billed, like a GP visit?” The short answer is: it depends entirely on who you are and which pathway applies to you. Most Australians are not eligible for a fully government-funded hearing assessment — but several subsidised options do exist, and many of our Brisbane patients are surprised to discover they qualify. This guide cuts through the confusion so you know exactly where you stand before you pick up the phone.

Audiology sits outside the standard Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) in most circumstances. Unlike a visit to your GP or a specialist referral, a diagnostic hearing assessment carried out by an audiologist is not automatically bulk billed to Medicare. The Australian Government funds hearing care through a separate mechanism — the Hearing Services Program (commonly called the OHS Program or “voucher scheme”) — and eligibility for that program is tightly defined. Understanding which category you fall into is the first step toward accessing the right level of support.

How Is Hearing Testing Funded in Australia?

Australia’s approach to hearing care funding operates across four distinct pathways. Each one has different eligibility rules, covers different services, and involves different out-of-pocket costs. It’s worth spending a moment on each of them because mixing them up is the source of most of the confusion we encounter with new patients across Brisbane’s southside.

1. The Australian Government Hearing Services Program (OHS Voucher)

This is the main government-funded pathway for hearing assessments and hearing aids. The program is administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care and is delivered through accredited providers — including independent clinics like ours. Eligible clients receive a voucher that covers a comprehensive hearing assessment and access to subsidised hearing devices, with no charge for the assessment itself.

Eligibility for subsidised hearing assessments under this program is determined by the Australian Government, and the criteria are specific. A referral from your GP or a relevant specialist is required to apply.

2. Medicare (MBS Item Numbers)

Standard Medicare does not bulk bill routine audiological assessments in a community audiology setting. There are a small number of MBS item numbers that relate to hearing — primarily through Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists or for specific diagnostic purposes in a hospital context. If your GP refers you to a private audiologist for a general hearing check, that appointment is not covered under standard Medicare and an out-of-pocket fee will apply unless you qualify for the OHS Program.

3. Private Health Insurance (Extras Cover)

Many Australians hold private health insurance with extras cover that includes a benefit for audiology services. Depending on your policy, this may contribute to the cost of your hearing assessment and/or hearing aids. Typical rebates range from partial to full coverage of the consultation fee, subject to annual limits and any applicable waiting periods. We recommend calling your insurer before your appointment to confirm your exact entitlements.

4. Fee-for-Service (Private)

If you don’t qualify for any of the above, a private fee-for-service appointment is the standard pathway. At All Ears in Hearing, our team will always be transparent about costs upfront, and we will help you understand whether any rebates may apply to your situation.

Who Qualifies for a Subsidised Hearing Test? Eligibility at a Glance

The following groups are generally eligible for a fully subsidised hearing assessment under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. If you fall into one of these categories, you may be able to have your hearing assessed at no cost to you.

• Pensioner Concession Card holders — including Age Pension recipients
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card holders
• DVA White Card holders — for hearing conditions accepted as service-related
• Sickness Allowance or other eligible Centrelink allowance recipients as defined by the program guidelines
• NDIS participants — where hearing assessment is included in an approved NDIS plan
• Children and young people — via the Australian Hearing program for eligible under-26s
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians — who are 50 years of age or older

If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA card, you will typically need a referral from your GP before we can register you in the program. Our team at our Rochedale and Shailer Park clinics can guide you through what to ask your GP when you call.

WorkCover Queensland may also fund a hearing assessment and audiological report if you have experienced occupational noise-induced hearing loss. This pathway requires specific documentation and a referral from your treating practitioner.

For more detail on the government programs most relevant to pensioners and veterans, visit our dedicated page on the Hearing Services Program for pensioners and veterans.

What Does a Subsidised Hearing Assessment Actually Include?

One of the most common misconceptions is that a subsidised hearing test is somehow less thorough than a private appointment. At All Ears in Hearing, that is simply not the case. Whether you come to us through the OHS voucher program or as a private patient, you receive the same comprehensive clinical assessment from the same experienced team — Brad and Rachel’s clinical approach does not change based on funding pathway.

A standard comprehensive hearing assessment at our clinic typically includes:

• A detailed case history, including your health background, medications, and the environments where you find hearing most difficult
• Otoscopy — a visual examination of your ear canal and eardrum
• Pure-tone audiometry — the standard tone-based hearing test across a range of frequencies
• Speech audiometry — assessing how well you understand spoken words
• Tympanometry — measuring how your middle ear is functioning
• A clear explanation of your results in plain language
• A written report and recommendations for next steps

If you are not yet ready for a full appointment and would like a preliminary indication of your hearing, you can also try our free online hearing check from the comfort of home. Please note that an online screen is not a clinical diagnostic tool — it is a useful first step, not a replacement for a proper assessment.

What About Hearing Tests for Children?

Children’s hearing is assessed through a different set of referral pathways depending on age. Newborn hearing screening is conducted through Queensland Health’s Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program before or shortly after discharge from hospital. For older children and teenagers, school-based screening programs may identify concerns that prompt a referral to an audiologist.

At All Ears in Hearing, we provide hearing assessments for children from 9 months of age, using age-appropriate testing methods. Young Australians up to the age of 26 may be eligible for services through Australian Hearing (Hearing Australia), a government-funded provider for this age group. We are happy to help families understand which pathway is most appropriate for their child.

The Next Step After Your Assessment

A subsidised hearing assessment through the OHS Program can open the door to subsidised hearing devices as well. Eligible clients may access hearing aids from an approved range at no additional cost, or choose to contribute toward a more advanced device. The level of subsidy depends on your eligibility category and the devices recommended for your hearing profile.

If you would like to understand what hearing aid funding may be available to you after your assessment, our resource on OHS voucher hearing aids covers the device subsidy program in detail.

For patients with private health extras cover, hearing aid benefits can vary considerably between funds and policies. We recommend checking your policy’s annual limits, any waiting periods, and whether the specific devices we recommend are covered. Our team is happy to provide an itemised quote you can take to your insurer.

The Honest Truth About “Free” Hearing Tests

There are hearing clinics — including some large chains — that advertise “free hearing tests” broadly, sometimes without making clear that the offer is either conditional on eligibility or that it functions as a lead-in to a device sales appointment. We don’t operate that way at All Ears in Hearing, and we think you deserve a straight answer.

Here is what we can tell you clearly:

• If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or DVA card and have a GP referral, your hearing assessment through the OHS Program is genuinely free to you.
• If you do not qualify for the OHS Program, a private consultation fee will apply — and we will tell you exactly what that is before you book.
• Our team is not paid on commission. We will never recommend a hearing aid you don’t need, and we will never use a “free test” as a pressure tactic. Brad and Rachel built this practice on honest, independent advice, and that hasn’t changed in over two decades of serving families across Brisbane’s south.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, the single most useful thing you can do is call us. We will ask you a few straightforward questions and tell you honestly which pathway applies — no obligation, no sales pressure.

Not Sure What You’re Entitled To? Let’s Work It Out Together

Eligibility for government-funded hearing services can be hard to navigate on your own. Our team at our Rochedale and Shailer Park clinics is happy to help you understand what’s covered before you book. A quick call is all it takes.

Call Rochedale: (07) 3841 3764
Call Shailer Park: 0478 282 561

Book an appointment at our Rochedale or Shailer Park clinic — or ask us to call you back at a time that suits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a hearing test bulk billed in Australia?

Not in the way a GP visit is. Standard Medicare does not cover routine audiological assessments by community audiologists. The main government-funded pathway is the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (OHS Program), which covers eligible Australians — primarily Pensioner Concession Card holders and DVA card holders — for a fully subsidised hearing assessment. If you don’t qualify for that program, a private fee will apply, though private health insurance extras cover may provide a partial rebate.

Do I need a referral for a subsidised hearing test?

Yes. To access the Hearing Services Program (OHS voucher pathway), you will need a referral from your GP or relevant treating practitioner. They will determine your eligibility and complete the necessary paperwork to register you in the program. We recommend calling your GP to ask about a hearing services referral before contacting our clinic.

What is the OHS voucher and how does it work for hearing tests?

The OHS (Office of Hearing Services) voucher — now formally part of the Australian Government Hearing Services Program — is a government-issued entitlement that allows eligible Australians to access subsidised hearing assessments and hearing devices through an accredited provider. Once registered in the program, your hearing assessment is covered in full, and you may also access hearing aids from a subsidised range at no additional cost, or contribute toward a premium device. Eligibility for subsidised hearing assessments is determined by the Australian Government.

Does private health insurance cover hearing tests in Brisbane?

It may, depending on your policy. Many Australians with extras cover include an audiology benefit that contributes toward the cost of a hearing assessment. The amount varies by insurer and policy, and waiting periods may apply. We recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment to confirm your exact entitlement. Our team can provide an itemised quote to assist with your claim.

What if I don’t qualify for any subsidised hearing programs?

If you’re not eligible for the OHS Program and don’t hold private health extras cover, a standard private appointment fee applies. We will always be transparent about costs before you book. Many of our patients who pay privately find the investment worthwhile — a comprehensive hearing assessment gives you a clear clinical picture and avoids the guesswork that comes with untreated hearing loss. If cost is a genuine barrier, please speak with our team. We will explore every option available to you.

Individual results may vary. We recommend a comprehensive hearing assessment to determine the most appropriate solution for your needs. Eligibility for government-funded hearing services is subject to Australian Government program guidelines, which may change. Information current as of April 2026.