After-hours care

Illness and injury don't keep business hours. Knowing your after-hours options ahead of time can save stress and help you get the right care.

This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Your options

healthdirect

healthdirect is a free, government-funded service. Call 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nurse can help you work out what to do and, according to healthdirect, may connect you with a GP after hours. (Some states run their own services, such as 13 HEALTH in Queensland; check what applies where you live.)

healthdirect also has an online Symptom Checker.

Your regular practice

Some practices offer early morning, evening or weekend appointments. Ask your practice what it does after hours; many have a message with after-hours information.

After-hours GP services

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing supports after-hours primary care. In some areas, after-hours GP services or home visits are available. Check what's available locally.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are open extended hours and are bulk billed. See urgent care clinics.

Pharmacies

Pharmacists can advise on many minor problems and medicines. Some pharmacies open late.

Telehealth

Some services offer after-hours telehealth. Check the costs before you book.

Emergency departments and 000

For serious or life-threatening problems, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department. See when to call 000.

Plan ahead

• Save healthdirect's number (1800 022 222) in your phone.
• Find your nearest urgent care clinic and emergency department.
• Know your regular practice's after-hours arrangements.
• Keep a list of your medicines handy.

Working out what kind of care you need

Choosing the right place for care helps you get seen sooner and keeps emergency departments free for emergencies. As a rough guide:

• life-threatening or severe problems: call 000 or go to an emergency department;
• urgent but not life-threatening problems: a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, or a same-day GP appointment;
• non-urgent problems and ongoing care: your regular GP;
• minor problems and medicine questions: a pharmacist;
• not sure: call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or use its online Symptom Checker.

healthdirect's "What care do I need?" page explains these options in more detail. If symptoms change or worsen, seek help again.

Be prepared before you need it

Preparing a little in advance makes after-hours problems easier to manage:

• keep a list of medicines, allergies and conditions for everyone in your household;
• keep basic supplies, such as a thermometer and pain relief suitable for each family member, following the instructions on the pack;
• keep enough of any regular medicines so you don't run out over a weekend or public holiday;
• know whether your nearest pharmacy opens late;
• save healthdirect's number and the location of your nearest urgent care clinic and emergency department.

Mental health support

If you're struggling emotionally, your GP is a good place to start. A GP can talk with you, and may prepare a mental health treatment plan, which can give access to Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or other mental health professional. Ask about costs when booking with a mental health professional, as fees vary. For immediate support at any time, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call Triple Zero (000).

Appointments for children and young people

Children are usually seen with a parent or guardian. As young people get older, a GP may offer them time to speak privately, which helps them build confidence in managing their own health. From age 15, young people can apply for their own Medicare card, and they can ask the practice about confidentiality. If you're booking for a child, mention their age when you book, and bring their Medicare details, immunisation history and any notes about the concern. Ask the practice about its billing policy for children, as some practices bulk bill children.

Living in a rural or remote area

Access to health care can be harder outside cities. Waiting times may be longer, distances greater and services fewer. Some things that can help:

• plan routine appointments well ahead and book follow-ups before you leave;
• ask whether telehealth is available for suitable appointments;
• check whether your area has visiting specialists, outreach clinics or a Royal Flying Doctor Service clinic;
• ask about patient travel assistance schemes, which state and territory governments run to help with the cost of travelling long distances for specialist care.

In an emergency, wherever you are, call Triple Zero (000).

If you're helping someone else

Many people book and attend appointments for a child, partner, parent or friend. If you're a carer:

• ask the person (if they're able) what they want to discuss, and write it down together;
• bring their Medicare card, list of medicines and any notes about changes you've noticed;
• let the GP speak directly to the person where possible, and add your observations;
• ask whether the practice needs written consent for you to receive information on the person's behalf.

Carer Gateway, an Australian Government service, offers free support for carers, including information, counselling and respite. Looking after yourself matters too, so mention your own health at your next appointment.

Using healthdirect's online tools

healthdirect's free online Symptom Checker asks questions about symptoms and suggests what kind of care might be appropriate, from self-care to calling 000. Its Service Finder helps you locate GPs, pharmacies, urgent care clinics and hospitals, including opening hours where available. These tools don't replace a health professional, but they can help you decide where to go, especially at night or on a weekend when your usual practice is closed.

What happens in an emergency department

Emergency departments use triage, which means a nurse assesses how urgently each person needs care and patients are seen in order of urgency rather than arrival time. People with life-threatening conditions are seen immediately, while people with less urgent problems may wait a long time. That's why choosing the right place for care matters. Public hospital emergency departments don't charge Medicare-eligible patients for treatment. Bring a list of medicines and any relevant information if you can.

The role of your pharmacist

Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals, and you don't need an appointment to talk to one. They can advise on minor ailments, explain how to take your medicines, check for interactions between medicines, and tell you when a problem needs a doctor. Many pharmacies also offer services such as vaccinations and blood pressure checks; ask about costs. If you take several medicines, ask your pharmacist or GP whether a medicines review might help. Your pharmacist can also help you keep an up-to-date medicines list to take to appointments.

Making a wait easier

Waits can be long when clinics and emergency departments are busy. If you can, bring a charged phone and charger, something to drink, any regular medicines you may need, and something to keep children occupied. Let someone know where you are. Don't eat or drink if you think you might need a procedure until you've checked with staff. Above all, tell staff immediately if symptoms get worse.

How we keep this guide up to date

Medicare rules, government programs and service arrangements change from time to time. We review this guide against the official sources listed below and update the date at the top of the page when we check it. If something has changed, or you spot an error, please let us know through our contact page. Before you rely on any detail, especially eligibility rules, check the official page linked in the sources, or ask your practice or Services Australia directly.

Key points

• Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for nurse advice 24/7.
• Check after-hours options at your practice and locally.
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are open extended hours.
• For emergencies, call 000.