Strengthening Medicare: Free Urgent Care Via 1800Medicare
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will build on our historic investment in Medicare to take pressure off hospitals and make free, urgent care available to all Australians, in every community, with the launch of 1800MEDICARE.
Life isn’t 9 to 5. With 1800MEDICARE, neither is health care.
1800MEDICARE will be a free, nationwide 24/7 health advice line and afterhours GP telehealth service, backed by Medicare.
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make a $204.5 million investment to improve existing Healthdirect services and expand them to every state and territory, under one consistent national service.
If the Albanese Labor Government is re-elected, 1800MEDICARE will launch from 1 January 2026 through this election commitment.
1800MEDICARE will build on Labor’s plan to open 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, ensuring that free urgent care is available within a 20-minute drive for four in five Australians, and just a phone call away for everyone across the nation.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE will fill a gap in the health system that widened dangerously under the former Liberal Government.
The number of Australians receiving afterhours GP care through Medicare fell sharply under Peter Dutton’s Liberals, declining by 28 per cent in city areas and by 35 per cent in regional areas over the three years between 2018-19 and 2021-22.
Whether you need expert health advice or reassurance, the registered nurses at 1800MEDICARE will be there all day, every day, to provide advice and refer you to the health service you need – whether that’s your regular GP, the local hospital or a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
If you need urgent GP care that can’t wait for your regular GP to be available, the triage nurses will connect you to a free telehealth session with a 1800MEDICARE GP via phone or video, available all weekend and weeknights between 6pm and 8am.
On your phone and in the comfort of your home, a 1800MEDICARE GP will provide the free care you need, like an emergency prescription for your regular medication, or treatment for an illness or injury.
Around 250,000 Australians will avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency department, because of the free urgent GP care provided by 1800MEDICARE.
Until then, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide care for illnesses and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“At this election Australia faces a clear choice: a stronger Medicare with more bulk billing and more free urgent care under Labor, or more cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton’s Liberals.
“Life isn’t 9 to 5. With 1800MEDICARE, neither is health care.
“Whether your family needs urgent or ongoing health care, under Labor, Medicare will be there for all Australians, in every community.”
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:
“When illness or injury strikes in your family, 1800MEDICARE will be there – a 24/7 health advice line and afterhours GP telehealth service, backed by Medicare.
“With Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE, free urgent care will be a 20-minute drive away for 4 in 5 Australians, and a phone call away for every Australian.
“Around 250,000 Australians will avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency department, because of the free urgent GP care provided by 1800MEDICARE.”
https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/strengthening-medicare-with-1800-medicare-free-urgent-care-on-your-phone-and-in-your-home