Urgent Care Clinics

Page last updated: 18 February 2025

Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) are commissioned by primary health networks (PHNs), with funding from the Victorian and Australian governments. Australian Government funded clinics are also known as Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

UCCs partner with nearby hospital emergency departments. They provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response. This includes conditions like mild infections and burns, suspected fractures or broken bones.

They also offer pathology and imaging services.

The clinics help patients who need urgent care get help faster, while keeping our busy emergency departments free for those in critical, life-threatening situations.

They operate up to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and accept walk-ups, referrals and pre-booked appointments.

UCCs provide acute episodic care and treatment that does not require a hospital admission. This may include:

• minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• minor cuts
• insect bites and rashes
• minor eye and ear problems
• respiratory illness
• gastroenteritis
• mild burns.

Please note: these clinics cannot provide a routine health assessment, a review of a care plan or a repeat prescription. UCCs employ a rigorous triage process to ensure only urgent low acuity conditions are seen. Patients presenting with chronic conditions that can be managed by their usual GP will be referred back to their regular GP.

If you or a loved one has a life-threatening injury or illness, do not attend a UCC. Call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department. 

Commissioning process

PHNs are commissioning providers for all clinics in Victoria. For information specific to each PHN region, visit the following links:

• Eastern Melbourne PHN
• Gippsland PHN
• Murray PHN
• North Western Melbourne PHN
• South Eastern Melbourne PHN
• Western Victoria PHN

In Tasmania, the Tasmanian Department of Health commissions Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. Primary Health Tasmania provides support to the UCCs to prepare and support general practice for strengthening Medicare reforms.

UCC locations in Victoria

Visit the Better Health Channel for more information on each clinic in Victoria.

Communications materials

UCC and Medicare Urgent Care Clinic posters and flyers are available on the North Western Melbourne PHN website.