New South Wales
20 hospitals · Updated hourly
Data from NSW Health
Western Australia
10 hospitals · Updated every 15 minutes
Data from WA Health
South Australia
5 hospitals · Updated every 30 minutes
Data from SA Health
Queensland
12 hospitals · Updated every 30 minutes
Data from Queensland Health
Not an emergency? See a bulk billed GP from home.
No out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare patients. Scripts, certificates, and referrals included.
When to go to ED vs. when to see a GP
Emergency departments are for serious and life-threatening conditions. If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or signs of stroke, call 000 or go to your nearest ED immediately.
For non-emergency conditions, a GP can often help faster and with less disruption to your day. Common reasons people visit the ED that a GP can handle include:
- Repeat prescriptions and medication renewals
- Medical certificates for work or study
- Referrals to specialists, pathology, or imaging
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Minor infections and skin conditions
- Mental health support
- Sexual health consultations
A bulk billed telehealth consultation lets you see a FRACGP-qualified GP from home with no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare patients.
How ED triage works
When you arrive at an emergency department, a triage nurse assesses you and assigns a category from 1 (most urgent) to 5 (least urgent). Your wait time depends on your category and how many higher-priority patients are ahead of you.
Most telehealth-appropriate conditions fall into categories 4 and 5. If you need a prescription, medical certificate, or referral, you likely do not need the ED.
Need a script, certificate, or referral?
You may not need to visit the ED. Book a bulk billed telehealth consult with a FRACGP-qualified GP.
Or call 0481 615 998
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are these wait times?+
Wait times are sourced directly from state health department data and updated throughout the day. They are indicative and reflect the number of patients waiting at the time of the last update. Your actual wait may vary depending on the severity of your condition and new arrivals.
Can I see a GP instead of going to the ED?+
For non-emergency conditions like prescriptions, medical certificates, referrals, and minor illnesses, yes. A bulk billed telehealth consultation with a GP can handle these in minutes, with no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare patients.
What should I do in a medical emergency?+
Call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. Do not use telehealth for life-threatening conditions including chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms, or loss of consciousness.