Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to get free and fast medical attention for health issues that are not an emergency. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
Urgent Care Services have been introduced in New South Wales (NSW) to help reduce pressure on emergency departments.
These services give people the treatment they need quickly for an illness or injury that is not an emergency, without waiting in a busy emergency department.
Many of these services have medical practitioners and diagnostic equipment including x-ray, pathology, and can therefore treat a variety of conditions.
Some examples of illnesses or injuries that are not usually considered an emergency include:
You may be eligible to access an Urgent Care Service if you are:
Please call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free at anytime (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
A registered nurse (RN) will answer your call and ask you some questions about your condition.
Depending on the assessment made by the RN, you may be referred to an Urgent Care Service.
If you are referred to an Urgent Care Service, the RN will provide you the details to access the service.
Depending on your condition, the RN may recommend an alternative treatment option for you.
If you have been referred to an Urgent Care Service, there will be no cost associated with your treatment if you:
If neither applies to you, please be aware that you may be offered care at a different service and there may be a cost associated with your treatment.
Should you have any financial concerns, healthdirect can provide you with the most suitable treatment option for your circumstances.
Urgent Care Services are located in:
Urgent Care Services are also available via telehealth if you are outside these areas, or if the RN at healthdirect decides it is a more appropriate treatment option for you.
Urgent Care Services operate from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily, including public holidays. Alternatively, telehealth is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been developed for common questions about Urgent Care Services.
View FAQs
If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
NSW Health has been able to deliver Urgent Care Services to the public thanks to the support of the NSW Government, in conjunction with the Australian Government.
The NSW Government has committed $124 million in funding over two years to deliver 25 Urgent Care Services in NSW by mid-2025.
The Australian Government has also committed funding to deliver Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in NSW.
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