healthdirect

healthdirect is available 24 hours a day to provide advice and support or connect you to the right care.
When you call healthdirect, you will speak to a registered nurse who can:

  • give advice and support to manage your symptoms safely at home
  • direct you to the most suitable health service, such as a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or 24/7 pharmacy
  • arrange a consultation with a GP by phone or video call, who can provide scripts if needed
  • connect you to a virtual care service, including the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service or SA Virtual Care Service, who can assess and treat your condition virtually or refer you to a local service, such as Priority Care Centre, if you need an in-person appointment.

If it is an emergency, healthdirect will call an ambulance or direct you to the nearest emergency department.

GPs

If your regular GP is unavailable, you can find another GP nearby using the healthdirect service finder. Many GPs are open after hours and on weekends and some offer bulk billing, which means services can be provided at no cost.

Virtual GPs

healthdirect will assist you to find a GP in your area or offer a phone or video call back from a healthdirect virtual GP for an assessment. The healthdirect GP may provide an electronic prescription if needed.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics

You can walk into any Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for bulk billed urgent care without an appointment or referral. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are open early and late so you can get urgent care when you need it. This includes illnesses and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening, such as minor infections, cuts, burns, fractures and sprains. For more information, visit the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic page.

Pharmacies

You can access medicines, advice and health care when you need it at a 24/7 pharmacy. A pharmacist is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide expert advice and professional pharmacy services, including dispensing prescription medicines.

Many pharmacies are also open late or on weekends. To find a pharmacy near you, visit the healthdirect service finder.

Virtual care

healthdirect can connect you with other virtual care options who can arrange further face to face care if needed, including SA Virtual Care Service, Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service and Virtual Women’s Assessment Service.

SA Virtual Care Service

The SA Virtual Care Service can arrange the most appropriate care for you, including providing care at home, arranging a transfer, or referring you to a local service if you need an in-person appointment, such as a Priority Care Centre.

Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service

If you call healthdirect for your child aged 6 months to 17, they can connect you with the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service. You will be able to speak to highly skilled emergency doctors and nurses who can assess them and provide medical advice or refer you to a local service if you need an in-person appointment, such as a Priority Care Centre. This service can also support children and adolescents experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis.

You can also register for an appointment directly with Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service without calling healthdirect.

Virtual Women’s Assessment Service

If you call healthdirect and are in early pregnancy or have gynaecological concerns, they can connect you with the Virtual Women's Assessment Service. You will be able to speak to highly experienced midwives who can provide medical advice or refer you to a local service if you need an in-person appointment, such as a Priority Care Centre.

You can also register for an appointment directly with Virtual Women's Assessment Service without calling healthdirect.

Priority Care Centres

Priority Care Centres provide treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions and are available for patients with a referral. If you are transferred to a virtual service, you will have a short assessment and may receive a referral to your closest Priority Care Centre.

Mental health services

healthdirect provides information on local mental health services to help you get the support you need.

People aged 16 and older can walk into the free Adelaide Urgent Mental Health Care Centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you need support with mental health distress or crisis.

You can also contact Head to Health on 1800 595 212 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) who can provide support or direct you to support near you.

Some helplines are available after hours:

  • Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
  • Lived Experience Telephone Support Service (LETSS) 1800 013 755 (5pm to 11.30 pm, 7 days)
  • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days)
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 (24 hours, 7 days)

For help in a mental health emergency, call the Mental Health Triage Service on 13 14 65 (24 hours, 7 days).

For more information, visit the Mental health services webpage.