The Labor Government has fulfilled a key election promise, establishing a network of 87 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia, allowing 70% of Australians to access free urgent care within a 20-minute drive. Initially announced in the 2022-23 Budget with 58 clinics, the 2024-25 Budget committed an additional $227 million to expand the network by 29 clinics. The clinics operate with extended hours including weekends, require no appointments, and are fully bulk-billed with no out-of-pocket costs.

By December 2024, the network achieved one million free visits since launching in July 2023. Nearly half of all patients reported they would have otherwise gone to an emergency department, demonstrating the clinics' effectiveness in reducing hospital pressure. Children under 15 make up nearly a third of all visits, primarily for conditions like respiratory infections, lacerations, rashes, and fractures. The initiative has gained strong support from medical professionals, with over 70% of GPs supporting the clinics and more than 80% believing they positively impact emergency departments.

• 87 clinics nationwide: 22 in NSW, 17 in Victoria, 16 in Queensland, 8 in WA, 8 in NT, 6 in SA, 5 in ACT, and 5 in Tasmania

• One million free visits achieved by December 2024

• One-third of visits occur outside normal working hours

• Part of the $8.5 billion health commitment in the 2024-25 Budget

Budget update - we're getting more!

[1] https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/1-million-visits-to-medicare-urgent-care-clinics

[2] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-free-urgent-care-clinics-part-of-8-5-billion-health-commitment-20240511-p5jcse.html

[3] https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc