Senate support exists for GP changes: govt

The federal government is confident it can get Senate support for its controversial GP rebate changes.

Doctors want the government to reverse a change to rebates they fear will result in people paying up to $20 more for an average GP visit from Monday, and those concerns have struck a chord with some crossbench senators.

The government tabled the change as a regulation before Christmas, so it could be overturned after the Senate returns on February 9, however, Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg believes the government can win Senate support.

"I do," he told ABC 24 on Wednesday.

"And Sussan Ley, the new health minister, will talk to the cross-benchers, seek their support."

Mr Frydenberg said the coalition had defied its critics last year by getting changes to temporary protection visas through the Senate.

"We've got the abolition of the carbon tax, and abolition of the mining tax, and our Direct Action plan, so we've shown an ability to negotiate in the Senate and we'll do that again, hopefully, on this policy."

The Greens plan to introduce a disallowance motion and three crossbenchers have indicated they may support the Greens move.