Some 70% of GPs working in affluent suburbs have lost income during the coronavirus pandemic, compared to just half in the most disadvantaged areas, new figures reveal.

Researchers are blaming requirements to bulk-bill the temporary telehealth Medicare items for the disparity, which was uncovered by the University of Melbourne’s MABEL (Medicine in Australia Balancing Employment and Life) study.

The data, based on a survey of 2250 GPs, showed roughly two-thirds of the specialty were losing income compared to last year.

But there were wide variations around the country, with most GPs in rural areas reporting their income had either stayed the same or increased during the pandemic.