1800MEDICARE launched on January 1, 2026, replacing the Healthdirect service to provide expanded access to free health advice across Australia. This rebranded service connects Australians with registered nurses 24/7 and offers after-hours GP telehealth consultations for urgent care needs. The transformation represents a significant shift in how Australians access healthcare outside regular business hours.
The service combines nurse triage with free bulk-billed GP consultations between 6pm and 8am on weeknights and throughout weekends. Early use demonstrates significant impact, with two thirds of callers who considered visiting an emergency department avoiding the trip after receiving advice from the service. The Australian Government Department of Health provides comprehensive information about accessing the new service.
Understanding how 1800MEDICARE works helps you access appropriate care when your regular GP is unavailable.
What Changed from Healthdirect to 1800MEDICARE
Healthdirect operated as a 24-hour health advice line with varying services across states and territories. The rebrand to 1800MEDICARE brings standardised nationwide coverage under the trusted Medicare brand. All Australians now access the same level of service regardless of location.
The most significant expansion is free after-hours GP telehealth consultations. Healthdirect previously offered limited telehealth access in some areas but not nationally. Triage nurses can now connect callers to a free GP telehealth consultation by phone or video when urgent care cannot wait until a regular doctor is available. Consultations run weeknights from 6pm to 8am and continuously throughout weekends.
The investment totals $204.5 million over multiple years. This funding expands infrastructure, staffing, and digital platforms. The service launched as an election commitment fulfilled by the Albanese Government.
The my health app simultaneously rebranded as the 1800MEDICARE app. Users who previously downloaded the my health app received automatic updates, maintaining access to My Health Record, electronic prescriptions, and health information management tools.
How 1800MEDICARE Service Works
Call 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422) any time to speak with a registered nurse. The service is free from mobile phones and landlines across Australia. No Medicare card is required to access the service.
Registered nurses assess symptoms, advise on next steps, and guide callers toward appropriate care including self-care at home or visits to GPs, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, pharmacies, or emergency departments. Nurses follow clinical protocols to determine the most suitable care pathway for each situation.
For urgent medical issues requiring immediate GP attention, nurses transfer calls directly to after-hours doctors. These consultations occur via phone or video call without appointment booking. GPs can provide emergency prescriptions for regular medications or treatment for illnesses and injuries during these sessions.
The service complements rather than replaces regular GP care. All care provided through 1800MEDICARE integrates with My Health Record where possible. This integration ensures your regular doctor receives relevant information about after-hours consultations.
Reducing Emergency Department Visits
Emergency department overcrowding strains hospital resources and increases patient wait times. Many ED visits involve conditions manageable in primary care settings. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has supported the initiative as helping GPs provide after-hours care.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler stated that of those who indicated they were considering going to a hospital emergency department, two thirds do not end up going because of the advice received from the free 24/7 service. This represents approximately 250,000 avoided emergency department visits annually.
GP telehealth consultations show even higher diversion rates. Three quarters of patients considering emergency department visits after receiving GP telehealth care chose alternative treatment paths. These consultations address urgent but non-life-threatening conditions effectively from home.
Cost savings benefit both the healthcare system and patients. Emergency department visits cost significantly more than telehealth consultations or nurse advice calls. Redirecting appropriate cases reduces system strain while maintaining quality care.
The service works alongside the expanded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic network. Together, these initiatives provide multiple access points for urgent care without requiring emergency department resources.
Accessing 1800MEDICARE Services
Three methods connect you to 1800MEDICARE. Phone access through 1800 633 422 remains the primary channel. The website at medicare.gov.au/1800 provides digital access to information and services. The 1800MEDICARE mobile app offers portable access to multiple health functions.
The app combines health record access with service navigation features. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching “1800MEDICARE.” Users need a myGov account linked to My Health Record for full functionality. The Australian Digital Health Agency provides detailed setup instructions and frequently asked questions.
App features include viewing health information, storing electronic prescriptions, checking active scripts, and finding health services. Future updates will add in-app notifications for preventative screening and test results. The app maintains security through PIN protection and automatic logout after five minutes of inactivity.
Accessibility services accommodate diverse needs. The National Relay Service connects hearing or speech-impaired callers. Translating and interpreting services assist non-English speakers through the same helpline number.
Healthcare Professional Perspectives
The RACGP President Dr Michael Wright welcomed the announcement during the election campaign. He stated the service will help more GPs across Australia provide after-hours care on weekends and during the week. The initiative supports GPs in delivering accessible urgent care outside traditional practice hours.
Some general practitioners express concerns about care continuity. The Australian Medical Association highlighted risks of fragmented care when patients receive treatment from unfamiliar doctors. Integration with My Health Record aims to address these concerns by maintaining comprehensive health information.
GPs responding to surveys suggested several improvements for the service. Common recommendations include strict limits on consultation scope, mandatory referral back to regular GPs for follow-up, and ensuring nurses have extensive experience. Integration between after-hours care and existing patient records remains crucial.
The service represents part of broader Medicare strengthening initiatives. Additional investments include 50 new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, increased bulk billing incentives, and expanded GP training places. These combined efforts address declining after-hours GP care availability that worsened in recent years.
Conclusion
1800MEDICARE launched as a comprehensive replacement for Healthdirect, providing nationwide 24/7 access to registered nurses and after-hours GP telehealth consultations from January 1, 2026.
Tens of thousands of Australians have already used the service in its first weeks, with significant proportions avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits. The $204.5 million investment standardises urgent care access across all states and territories under the Medicare brand.
The service fills gap in after-hours healthcare while supporting emergency departments and regular general practice. Whether you need health advice, symptom assessment, or urgent GP care outside business hours, 1800MEDICARE provides free accessible support. For more information about accessing healthcare services in Australia, explore our guide to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
FAQs
1. Does 1800MEDICARE replace my regular GP?
No. The service provides urgent after-hours care when your regular GP is unavailable. You should continue seeing your usual doctor for ongoing care, chronic condition management, and routine appointments. 1800MEDICARE complements rather than replaces primary care relationships.
2. Can I book appointments with 1800MEDICARE doctors in advance?
No. The service operates on a triage-and-connect model. Nurses assess your immediate needs and transfer you to available GPs when urgent care is required. You cannot schedule future appointments through this service.
3. Are prescriptions from 1800MEDICARE GPs recorded in my health records?
Yes. Where patients have My Health Record enabled, information from telehealth consultations integrates with existing records. This ensures your regular GP can view medications prescribed and treatments provided through the after-hours service.
4. What happens if I call outside the GP telehealth hours?
Registered nurses remain available 24/7 for health advice and symptom assessment. GP telehealth consultations only operate weeknights from 6pm to 8am and throughout weekends. During business hours, nurses will direct you to appropriate daytime services.
5. Is there any cost for 1800MEDICARE services?
No. All services including phone calls, nurse consultations, and GP telehealth appointments are completely free and bulk-billed. You do not need a Medicare card to access nurse advice, though GP consultations require Medicare eligibility.