Overview

• The 1800MEDICARE hotline will provide free, 24/7 health advice and after-hours GP telehealth consultations, rebranding and expanding the existing Healthdirect service.
• Labor has committed $204 million over four years to fund the service, aiming to reduce pressure on emergency departments by diverting an estimated 250,000 non-urgent cases annually.
• Registered nurses will staff the hotline around the clock, triaging patients and connecting them to free GP consultations via phone or video during after-hours periods.
• The service will integrate with My Health Record, ensuring all telehealth consultations are documented for continuity of care.
• The announcement builds on Labor’s broader healthcare campaign promises, including $8.5 billion for bulk-billing incentives and the establishment of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.