In 2025, the Australian Government has committed $644.3 million to establish 50 additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia, six of which will be located in Western Australia.
Six additional clinics for WA
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) are at the heart of the Australian Government’s Strengthening Medicare agenda.
The initiative aims to enhance the availability of free urgent care and alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments.
WAPHA is awaiting further advice from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) on the exact specifications for the six new clinics allocated to Western Australia. We will publish more details here, as soon as is practicable.
Eight Medicare UCCs have already been established in Western Australia in the following locations:
- Morley and surrounding suburbs
- Rockingham and surrounding suburbs
- Clarkson and surrounding suburbs
- Beeliar and surrounding suburbs
- Bunbury and surrounding suburbs
- Midland and surrounding suburbs
- Broome and surrounding areas
- Gosnells and surrounding suburbs
WA Primary Health Alliance’s role
WA Primary Health Alliance coordinates the EOI processes and supports selected practices to establish their clinics.
Based on previous Medicare UCC commissioning, the new clinics are likely to be integrated into existing facilities like general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and community health centres.
These clinics will provide treatment for urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries needing same-day assessment for individuals who might otherwise go to an emergency department.
They will offer bulk billing, operate seven days a week, and accept walk-in appointments.
WAPHA will manage the expression of interest process and facilitate the establishment of the six clinics.
Further details about the EOI process will be provided as soon as possible.
While WAPHA will seek to understand each location’s local landscape, opportunities and challenges, the policy and operational guidance for Medicare UCCs will be set by the Australian Government.