Labor has announced it will undertake a $200-million expansion and rebranding of Australia’s national telehealth advice service if re-elected to government.
The Albanese government pledged to improve existing Healthdirect services and expand them to every state and territory under a consistent national service.
The changes would mean free 24-hour health advice and an afterhours GP telehealth service via 1800 MEDICARE, which would be launched on January 1, 2026.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Sunday, with Member for Corangamite Libby Coker echoing his statements on Monday.
“When illness or injury strikes in your family, 1800MEDICARE will be there, a 24/7 health advice line and afterhours GP telehealth service, backed by Medicare” Ms Coker said.
“Only a Labor Government will deliver stronger Medicare for local communities across our region with more bulk billing and more free urgent care.”
The funding will also be used to open 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, including one in Torquay.
The GP telehealth service is not intended to replace existing primary care, but to provide urgent assistance when a regular GP is not available, Health Minister Mark Butler said.
“With Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE, free urgent care will be a 20-minute drive away for 4 in 5 Australians, and a phone call away for every Australian,” Mr Butler said.
“Around 250,000 Australians will avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency department, because of the free urgent GP care provided by 1800MEDICARE.”
