Urgent Care Clinics
If you or someone in your care has a life-threatening injury or illness, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Key facts
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) are clinics that provide urgent health care that does not require treatment in an emergency department.
- Medicare UCCs are open for longer hours than regular clinics and provide bulk billed medical care.
- You don't need an appointment or referral to be treated at a Medicare UCC.
- Medicare UCCs can help if you have a medical problem that can't wait for an appointment with your doctor, such as an infection or minor fracture (broken bone).
- If you have a serious or life-threatening condition, such as difficulty breathing or severe burns, visit your nearest emergency department — Medicare UCCs can't help with medical emergencies.
What are Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs)?
Medicare UCCs are where you can go to get urgent health care that doesn't require treatment in an emergency department. Medicare UCCs are usually run by GPs. They are open 7 days a week with extended hours.
Medicare UCCs offer walk-in care, which means you don't need to have an appointment beforehand.
Medicare UCCs provide bulk billed healthcare, which means you don't have to pay out-of-pocket for the service.
The Australian federal and state governments have set up Medicare UCCs across Australia, in:
Medicare UCCs provide access to urgent health care without needing to go to hospital. This also means that hospital emergency departments have more space to help patients who are very sick or have life-threatening emergencies.
What type of health issues can Medicare UCCs help me with?
Medicare UCCs can help when you have a medical condition that:
- can't wait for an appointment with your doctor
- is not serious enough for you to need to go to a hospital emergency department
When you arrive at a Medicare UCC a nurse or paramedic will triage you. This means they assess you and decide whether your condition can be treated at a Medicare UCC or if another service is more suitable.
When should I go to a Medicare UCC?
Examples of health conditions treated at a Medicare UCC include:
- minor infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastroenteritis ('gastro')
- mild burns
- small cuts needing stitches or glue
- insect bites, stings and rashes
- respiratory illnesses, such as a cold
- minor eye and ear problems
- minor fractures (broken bones), sprains and back pain
When shouldn't I go to a Medicare UCC?
If you or someone in your care has a life-threatening injury or illness, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Medicare UCCs can't provide care in an emergency or life-threatening situation, and can't help with general health care.
Examples of emergency or life-threatening symptoms include:
- chest pain or tightness
- breathing difficulties
- uncontrollable bleeding
- severe burns
- poisoning
- seizures
- ongoing fever in infants
See your usual doctor for general health care, such as:
- diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses
- general screening and health checks
- vaccinations and prescriptions
- mental health advice
- family planning advice
- referrals for tests, scans or specialist care
- management of a chronic condition
Some doctors can provide same day appointments.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How can I access a Medicare UCC?
It's free to get treatment at a Medicare UCC, and you don't need an appointment or a referral.
Bring your Medicare card if you have one. If you don't have a Medicare card, check if you are eligible and how to apply on the Services Australia page.
You can find your nearest Medicare UCC based on your postcode.
Resources and support
Go to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website to learn more about when to visit a Medicare UCC.
Languages other than English
If English is not your preferred language, call The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 for help.
Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
Visit The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet for links to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical services, such as:
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: December 2025
