Medicare clinics vow: 20 minute drive or less from care

Medicare clinics vow: 20 minute drive or less from care

Author: AAP

Published: 03-03-2025

Most Australians could be living within 20 minutes of a bulk billing urgent care clinic, under a federal Labor pre-election promise.

The government has vowed to open an extra 50 clinics by the end of June 2026 if it secures a second term, with the polls suggesting a tight race between the two major parties.

The $644 million plan aims to deliver extra clinics in every jurisdiction, however, while Labor has released a list of target areas the final sites would be decided independently.

Ahead of the May 2022 poll, Labor announced plans for 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics before going on to open 87 in government.

Once the new clinics are added, about 80 per cent - or four in five - Australians "will live" within a 20 minute drive of one of 137 facilities, according to Department of Health and Aged Care analysis.

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