If life is in danger, call 000. It is free and you can call in your own language: ask for ambulance, police or fire, do not hang up and the operator will connect a free interpreter. Healthdirect, the public health information service, explains this.
If it is not an emergency, you have several options:
| What is happening | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Life in danger: chest pain, cannot breathe, severe bleeding, unconsciousness | 000 |
| Serious illness or injury | A hospital emergency department, open 24 hours |
| Urgent, but not life-threatening: small cuts, minor burns, stings, urinary infection | Medicare urgent care clinic |
| Routine appointment, prescription, referral to a specialist | General practitioner (GP) |
| Questions about medicines or a minor problem | Pharmacy |
| You do not know what to do | Healthdirect: 1800 022 222, nurses 24 hours |
The table summarises the Healthdirect guide. It depends on the state: in Victoria the nurse line is NURSE-ON-CALL (1300 60 60 24) and in Queensland there is also 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
How 000 works
According to Healthdirect:
- The call is free from any landline or mobile.
- From a mobile, 112 is an alternative. Where no network has coverage, neither works.
- You cannot report by text message. 106 is for people who are deaf or have a speech impairment.
- First they ask which service you need. Then, where you are: number, street, nearest cross street and suburb. In rural areas, also roads and landmarks.
- Do not hang up until they tell you to.
- The Emergency+ app shows your coordinates.
Triple Zero Victoria has information in Spanish.
The GP
According to Healthdirect:
- You do not need a referral to see a GP.
- With bulk billing, the doctor charges only what Medicare pays and you pay nothing.
- If they charge more, you pay the difference (gap fee).
- The service finder locates surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals.
- To speak to the doctor in your language there is TIS National (131 450), which includes Spanish.
Without cover you may be liable for the full cost. We have not found an official fee for a visit: ask the price when you book. What each agreement covers is in Medicare by country.
Medicare urgent care clinics
These are for problems that cannot wait for the GP but do not need a hospital. Healthdirect says they open 7 days a week with extended hours, do not need an appointment and are free with bulk billing. Take your Medicare card if you have one. The page does not say what happens for overseas visitors: ask before you go.
Hospital emergency departments
A triage nurse puts you in one of five categories according to how serious it is. The target times to be seen are: 2 minutes for category 1, 10 minutes for category 2, 30 minutes for category 3, 1 hour for category 4 and 2 hours for category 5.
They will ask for your name, address and Medicare number. Public emergency departments are free with a Medicare card, and private ones may charge. Without Medicare, a public hospital can charge more than A$1,000 a day in fees alone.
What an ambulance costs
Medicare does not cover it and the price changes by state. Some published fees:
| State | Emergency with transport | Treatment without transport |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland (from July 2026) | A$1,559.57 | A$158.39 |
| Victoria (from July 2026, excluding GST) | A$1,477 in metropolitan areas; A$2,179 in regional areas | A$637 |
| Western Australia (non-residents, from July 2026) | A$1,772 in metropolitan areas; A$2,120 in rural areas, under 200 km | Not listed |
| South Australia (undated) | A$1,247 plus A$7.15 per km | A$279 |
Queensland says international visitors pay the full bill and that it is worth asking for the receipt if you are going to claim on travel insurance. The links for the other states are on Healthdirect.
Official emotional support lines
If there is immediate danger, call 000. These numbers come from the Healthdirect list:
| Line | Number | Who for and when |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Crisis and suicidal thoughts, 24 hours |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | Suicidal thoughts, or worry about another person, 24 hours |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | Anxiety and depression, 24 hours |
| Medicare Mental Health | 1800 595 212 | Guidance, weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm |
| MensLine | 1300 78 99 78 | Men, 24 hours |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | Ages 5 to 25, 24 hours |
| QLife | 1800 184 527 | LGBTIQ+ people, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm |
| 13YARN | 13 92 76 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 24 hours |
| 1800RESPECT | 1800 737 732 | Domestic or family violence, 24 hours |
- If you do not speak English. Lifeline answers in English. To call with an interpreter there is TIS, on 131 450, at any time.
- In writing. Lifeline has chat and SMS on 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue has chat.
- Who can use them. Lifeline and Beyond Blue say they are open to anyone in Australia.
Lines for each state (Healthdirect): NSW 1800 011 511, Victoria 1300 60 60 24, Queensland 13 43 25 84, WA 1300 555 788, SA 13 14 65, Tasmania 1800 332 388, ACT 1800 629 354 and NT 1800 682 288.
What we could not confirm
- The price of a GP visit without Medicare, and what a hospital charges in each state.
- The ambulance fee in New South Wales, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Queensland is the only state in the table that speaks expressly about international visitors.
This is general information, not medical advice.
Sources
All viewed on 5 November 2026.
- Healthdirect (official): 000, ambulances, emergency departments, clinics, after hours, what care do I need, GP, 13 HEALTH, service finder, helplines.
- privatehealth.gov.au (official): visitors, visitors cover.
- Ambulance fees: Queensland, Victoria, SA Ambulance (official) and St John WA (service operator).
- Triple Zero Victoria, in Spanish and TIS National (official).
- Lifeline and Beyond Blue (not-for-profit).