In a major election pledge, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that a re-elected Labor government will launch a nationwide 24/7 health advice service, giving Australians free access to after-hours and weekend GP telehealth appointments.
Set to be unveiled on Sunday during a Labor rally in Western Sydney, the initiative will rebrand the existing Healthdirect services — known in Victoria as Nurse-on-Call — into the new 1800MEDICARE hotline, commencing January 1, 2026.
The service will allow Australians to access medical advice from a registered nurse around the clock. If needed, patients will be referred to further care, including daytime GPs, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, or local hospitals. Crucially, those requiring urgent medical attention will be able to access a free telehealth consultation with a GP during weekends and between 6 PM and 8 AM on weekdays.
"Life isn’t 9 to 5. With 1800MEDICARE, neither is health care," Prime Minister Albanese said.
"At this election, Australia faces a clear choice: a stronger Medicare with more bulk billing and free urgent care under Labor, or more cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton’s Liberals."
The plan will be supported by a $204.5 million funding boost aimed at enhancing Medicare-backed telehealth services across the country.
Health Minister Mark Butler noted that a statewide telehealth service could significantly ease pressure on hospitals, citing NSW Health data showing approximately 85,000 unnecessary emergency room visits could be avoided annually. Nationally, this could amount to around 250,000 fewer emergency department presentations each year.
Healthdirect figures reveal that 84 per cent of patients who access a telehealth GP service avoid visiting an emergency room thereafter.
"When illness or injury strikes in your family, 1800MEDICARE will be there — a 24/7 health advice line and after-hours GP telehealth service, backed by Medicare," Mr Butler said.
"With Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE, free urgent care will be a 20-minute drive away for four in five Australians, and a phone call away for every Australian."
The announcement marks a major highlight in the final week of campaigning before Australians head to the polls on May 3.
