What is the difference between urgent, emergency, and general medical care?

Urgent medical care clinics make it easier for you and your family to access bulk billed, urgent healthcare.

The clinics are bulk billed and open extended hours, seven days a week.

Urgent Care sites help you avoid a visit to the hospital emergency department, which in turn reduces pressure on our hospitals, allowing them to focus on higher urgency and life-threatening conditions.

So, what is the difference between urgent, general, and emergency or life-threatening care?

Urgent care

Urgent care is when you need medical attention for an illness or injury which can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with your regular GP.

You can visit an Urgent Care site for things like minor fractures, sprains, minor infections, respiratory illnesses, mild burns, severe stomach pains or urinary tract infections.

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Emergency care

Emergency or life-threatening illnesses or injuries require immediate medical attention at an emergency department or hospital. This includes things like chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe burns, poisoning, loss of feeling and seizures.

If you or a loved one has a life-threatening injury or illness, do not attend an urgent care service. Call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.

General care

Your local GP is your first point of contact for non-urgent, routine and preventative healthcare.

For example, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases and illnesses, general screening and health checks, vaccinations and prescriptions, mental health advice, family planning advice, and referrals for tests, scans or specialist care.

Book an appoint with your regular GP or visit the healthdirect service finder to find a GP service.

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