Primary care

Primary care is health care people seek first in their community, such as GPs, pharmacies and allied health professionals. Discover how primary care is funded and our plan to strengthen it. Learn about after-hours care and why pharmacy care is more than medicines.

About primary care

Discover what primary care is and why it's so important for you, your family and our health system.

What we're doing

Find out how we're improving primary care through innovative new programs, strengthening Medicare and more.  

After-hours care

We fund after-hours care – for when treatment just can't wait but it's not serious enough for hospital.

Pharmacy care

Pharmacies sell medicines but they also provide a range of useful services you may not know about.

Latest news

Latest news

Provider Finalised for Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Townsville

The Albanese and Palaszczuk governments are making it easier for Townsville residents to see a doctor with a provider for the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) finalised, following an Expression of Interest process.

Primary Health Networks

Australia’s 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are independent organisations working to streamline health services – particularly for those at risk of poor health outcomes – and to better coordinate care so people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Learn more

healthdirect hotline

1800 022 222

Call this number to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

NACCHO provides advice and guidance to the Australian Government on policy and budget matters. It also advocates for community-developed health solutions that improve quality of life and improved health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Find out more

Latest resources

Latest resources