This is a measure I’ve been watching closely, and it’s one I’m genuinely pleased to see locked in.

What the Budget does

The Government is investing $1.8 billion, with $580.2 million per year ongoing, to make Medicare Urgent Care Clinics a permanent feature of Australia’s health system.

The numbers:

• 37 clinics now operating across Australia

• Almost 3 million free visits delivered nationwide

• By July 2026, four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a clinic

What these clinics do

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics treat conditions that need same-day care but don’t require an emergency department — things like:

• Minor injuries and wounds

• Infections and fevers

• Sprains and fractures

• Ear, eye and skin conditions

• Illness in children

No gap fee. No appointment needed. Bulk billed.

Why it matters for Moore

Moore includes rapidly growing northern suburbs with significant health demand. Joondalup Health Campus is one of WA’s busiest emergency departments. Urgent care clinics directly take pressure off that system by diverting cases that don’t need ED — meaning people who genuinely need emergency care can access it faster.

Making these clinics permanent is the right call. It gives communities, providers and staff the certainty to plan and invest. Health care should be accessible and affordable. This delivers that.

To find your nearest clinic, search by postcode at healthdirect.gov.au or ask at your regular GP.

For more on health in the budget