Emergency health services

If you have a life-threatening emergency, go to the emergency department at your nearest public hospital. For urgent but not life-threatening health needs, call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 for the NSW Urgent Care Service.

Emergency department

Information on emergency departments

For a medical emergency, you can go to the emergency department at your nearest public hospital.

Emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and always have doctors and nurses available.

Visits to public hospital emergency departments are free if you have a Medicare card.

For more information on emergency departments, visit NSW Health website.

Information on NSW ambulance service

If you cannot get to an emergency department because you are seriously injured, in severe pain or seriously unwell, you should call Triple Zero (000) to get help. When you call Triple Zero (000), the operator will ask if you want:

Police

Fire

Ambulance

If you do not speak English well, tell the operator what language you speak. The operator will provide an interpreter straight away. Through the interpreter, tell the operator you need an ambulance. The ambulance officers will provide you with emergency treatment and may take you to the emergency department if you need treatment in a hospital.

For more information on the NSW Ambulance Service, visit NSW Ambulance website.

The cost of an ambulance and emergency treatment may be covered by your private health insurance or Overseas Student Health Cover.

Always speak with your health insurance company when you have a question about what costs your insurance will pay for.

Healthdirect

If you feel unwell and cannot see a doctor, call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 for free health advice. A nurse will answer your call and ask you some questions about your health.

The nurse will tell you what to do next. If needed, they may refer you to a virtual doctor service (for adults or children) or an Urgent Care Service near you. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also check your symptoms and find health services online at healthdirect website.

For health problems that are not serious, you should go to see your GP.

For more information, visit Urgent Care Services website.