Following the release of the First Interim Report of the Evaluation of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics program in March 2025 and the planned expansion of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Program planned in 2025-26, the College is continuing to monitor the establishment and operation of the Medicare UCCs.

In the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the government announced $227.0 million over three years from 2023–24 to boost the capacity of UCCs (including a further 29 to be established for a total of 87) and provide additional support to clinics in regional and rural Australia.

ACRRM representatives including President Dr Rod Martin recently met with the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss opportunities to clarify existing requirements within the UCC Operational Guidance based on learnings throughout the initial 18 months of the Program.

In addition to this consultation, the College is represented on the UCC Operational Advisory Group which has been convened by DoHAC.

The College is also monitoring the proposed work program of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) which flags a potential audit to examine the stand up and early implementation of UCCs. This would include the selection of locations and providers for UCCs, and the establishment of performance measures and monitoring arrangements to enable the Department of Health and Aged Care to ensure UCCs are achieving their
intended outcomes.

ACRRM’s policy position statement is available here on the College website.