Australia to allocate $149.7m for urgent care clinics

The budget will fund 29 additional Medicare UCCs. 

The Australian government, under the 2024-25 Budget, is investing an additional $149.7m (A$227m) to establish 29 additional Medicare urgent care clinics (UCCs).

The move will bring the country’s total number of Medicare UCCs to 87, offering walk-in care for seven days a week over extended hours.

Moreover, further funding will be provided for such clinics in regional, rural, and remote Australia.

ALSO READ: Australia’s Eastern Health unveils First Nations clinic for cancer

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are making a difference, for patients and busy hospital emergency departments.” Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, said.

According to the government, there have been about  400,000 visits to Medicare UCCs across the country, with one in three visits for children under age 15.

A$1 = $0.66