The new investment will run over five years from 2025–26, with ongoing annual funding of $525.6 million from 2030–31 to keep clinics operating.

First introduced in 2023 as part of a 2022 election promise, UCCs are walk-in, bulk-billed clinics with extended hours. The number of clinics has grown from an initial 54 to 135 nationwide, with more sites expected to open. Many are located in regional, rural and remote communities.

The Government says nearly three million patients have used UCCs since June 2023, with Health Minister Mark Butler calling them a “gamechanger” for improving access to free urgent care.

However, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has raised concerns about the long-term impact on general practice. President Dr Michael Wright said while GPs working in UCCs provide high-quality care, the broader effects on the healthcare system and workforce are still unclear.

He warned the model is costly and may create imbalances by supporting some clinics while putting pressure on others. There are also concerns about how sites were selected and whether the funding could lead to fragmented care.

An interim evaluation report released in February found UCCs may reduce emergency department visits by up to 10%, with many patients saying they would have otherwise gone to hospital or called an ambulance. However, it found no clear impact on emergency department waiting times and noted that some visits could have been managed by regular GP services.

The report also flagged possible workforce issues, including increased reliance on locum doctors and higher operating costs. While there is no strong evidence yet of patients shifting away from general practices, concerns remain within the sector.

A final evaluation of the UCC program is expected later this year.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/