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The new financial year brings more than just award remuneration increases. It is also the ideal time to review employment contracts, HR documentation, policies, and accreditation readiness.

In this episode, Ami and Zac walk through a practical approach to implementing annual pay increases, communicating changes with staff, and ensuring your practice remains compliant. They also discuss why July is the perfect opportunity to audit employee records before accreditation and future workforce requirements catch you by surprise.

Whether you're a Practice Manager, Practice Owner or HR Lead, this episode provides practical advice you can implement immediately.

In this episode we cover:

• Understanding the 2026 Fair Work Award wage increases
• Who should, and should not, receive a pay increase
• Managing above-award employees fairly and consistently
• Calculating wage increases using a simple payroll spreadsheet
• Communicating pay increases professionally with your team
• Common mistakes practices make during annual pay reviews
• Reviewing employment contracts and HR documentation
• Preparing staff files for accreditation and compliance
• Tracking mandatory training, immunisations and certifications
• Upcoming accreditation changes and what practices should be planning for now

Who should listen?

• Practice Owners
• Practice Managers
• HR Managers
• Medical Practice Administrators
• Anyone responsible for payroll, compliance or accreditation within general practice

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac are joined by two-time guest, James Gillespie - Founder of Cleanbill, to unpack the findings from Cleanbill's latest electorate breakdown report and what it reveals about bulk billing, out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare accessibility across Australia.

Together, they explore why Cleanbill developed electorate-level reporting, how transparent healthcare data is helping patients make more informed decisions, and why practices can benefit from understanding how they compare within their local market. James also shares how Cleanbill has evolved beyond a bulk billing directory into a comprehensive healthcare platform featuring practitioner profiles, accessibility information, opening hours, clinic biographies, and more.

The conversation examines one of the report's most significant findings: while bulk billing rates have increased, patient out-of-pocket costs continue to rise. Zac, Ami and James discuss the realities facing general practice, including increasing operating costs, Medicare incentives, mixed billing models, and the ongoing challenge of delivering financially sustainable primary care.

The episode concludes with an exciting look at what's next for Cleanbill, including quarterly reporting, enhanced practice analytics, and new service-based search capabilities designed to help patients find specific services such as iron infusions, chronic disease management, and other specialised care.

Key takeaways

• Why healthcare transparency benefits both patients and practices.
• How electorate-level reporting provides more meaningful insights than national averages.
• Why bulk billing rates have increased while patient out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.
• How practices can use benchmarking data to improve accessibility, patient experience, and competitiveness.
• What's next for Cleanbill and how new analytics will provide practices with more actionable insights.

Associated Links

• Cleanbill Data: https://cleanbill.com.au/cleanbill-data
• Update your listing (free): https://cleanbill.com.au/update-listing-details
• Claim your listing (free): https://cleanbill.com.au/clinic-portal

Episode timestamps

02:24 Why Cleanbill created electorate breakdown reports

04:22 What Cleanbill is really trying to achieve

08:28 Transparency, competition, and attracting the right patients

14:08 Cleanbill's new analytics dashboard and electorate comparisons

17:17 How practices can claim and manage their Cleanbill listing

20:00 Why out-of-pocket costs are increasing despite higher bulk billing rates

24:04 Medicare incentives and the challenge of practice sustainability

27:24 Funding pressures, urgent care, and the strain on general practice

35:07 How government and policymakers are using Cleanbill data

47:12 What's next for Cleanbill: quarterly reporting, richer analytics, and service-based search

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

Leadership Fatigue: The Silent Threat Facing High-Performing Leaders

Leadership can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. In this episode, Ami Assigal and Zac Pandur unpack the reality of leadership fatigue, exploring the warning signs, stages, and practical strategies leaders can use to avoid burnout while continuing to lead effectively.

Drawing on their own experiences in healthcare and business leadership, Ami and Zac discuss why many leaders become trapped in reactive cycles, how teams can unintentionally become dependent on their leaders, and the importance of creating accountability, resilience, and sustainable leadership habits.

The conversation examines the progression from enthusiasm and drive through to frustration, disengagement, and burnout, while offering practical solutions to help leaders regain control, improve communication, and build stronger, more independent teams.

Whether you're leading a medical practice, managing a business, supervising a team, or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode provides valuable insights into protecting your energy and maintaining long-term effectiveness.

In this episode:
• What leadership fatigue is and why it affects so many leaders
• The five stages of leadership fatigue and how to recognise them
• Common signs of burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Why leaders often unintentionally create team dependency
• The role of accountability and ownership in high-performing teams
• Practical communication strategies for difficult conversations
• How to navigate resistance to change and maintain momentum
• Building leadership systems that reduce stress and improve outcomes

Key Takeaway:
Leadership fatigue rarely happens overnight. It develops gradually through repeated stress, poor boundaries, and excessive dependence from teams. The most effective leaders recognise the warning signs early, communicate clearly, empower others, and build systems that allow both themselves and their teams to thrive.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/