When to Go to Emergency, and When to Book a GP Appointment

Newcomers to Australia often hesitate: “Does this need an emergency visit, or can it wait for a GP appointment?” The wrong decision is not only costly — going to the ED when it is not needed means hours of waiting, while missing a serious sign can be dangerous. This guide helps you decide faster and more accurately.

Situations that need an immediate 000 call

Call 000 (the national emergency number — free from any phone, including a phone with no SIM) if any of the following signs are present:

Severe chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or a suspected heart attack or stroke
Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
Seizures (especially a first one or a prolonged one)
Serious injury: a traffic accident, a fall from height, a major fracture
Bleeding that cannot be stopped
A severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or lips)
Poisoning or swallowing a toxic substance
Stroke symptoms: a drooping face, paralysis on one side, sudden slurred speech

When you call 000, the operator will ask whether you need police, ambulance or fire. State your address and the situation clearly. Do not hang up — follow the operator’s instructions until the ambulance arrives.

Not sure? Call Healthdirect

If you are not sure whether a situation needs emergency care, call 13 7425 (13 SICK) — Healthdirect’s 24/7 health advice line, answered directly by qualified nurses. It is free for calls within Australia.

Healthdirect will assess how serious it is and advise what you should do: go to the ED, book a GP appointment, go to urgent care, or manage it at home. This is an especially useful option at night and on weekends when GPs are closed.

When to go to the Emergency Department (ED)

Go to a hospital ED when the condition is serious and needs immediate attention, but is not at the level of needing an ambulance:

Moderate chest pain or shortness of breath with an unclear cause
Mild stroke symptoms
An injury that may need urgent treatment (a deep wound needing stitches, a suspected fracture)
A young child with a high fever along with seizures or difficulty breathing
A moderate allergic reaction (widespread hives, but still breathing normally)
Severe abdominal pain with an unclear cause
A head injury with loss of consciousness, even a brief one

The ED takes patients by priority — more dangerous cases are treated first. If you arrive with a non-serious condition, the wait can be very long.

When to book a GP appointment

Most health problems do not need the ED. Book a GP appointment for:

Common illnesses: colds, flu, a persistent cough, mild infections
Skin problems: acne, a mild rash, skin infections
Non-urgent digestive issues
Chronic or persistent aches and pains
Mental health: anxiety, depression, ongoing stress
Routine check-ups, test results, prescription renewals
Vaccination advice
A referral to a specialist

GPs in Australia require an appointment — there is usually no walk-in, except at some small clinics. If the problem is urgent but not an emergency (for example, a worsening infection), most clinics will prioritise a same-day slot if you explain the situation when you call.

Urgent care clinic — the in-between option

Urgent care clinics handle cases that are urgent but not at the level of the ED: small wounds needing stitches, minor burns, minor fractures (a finger or toe), acute ear or eye infections, or problems that cannot wait for a regular GP appointment.

The wait at urgent care is usually much shorter than at a hospital ED. Find an urgent care clinic near you at healthdirect.gov.au.

Quick decision framework

Life-threatening, no time to spare? → Call 000

Serious, needs attention within a few hours? → Hospital ED

Not sure if it’s an emergency? → Call 13 7425 (Healthdirect) for advice

Urgent but not yet dangerous? → Urgent care clinic

Not urgent, just need treatment? → Book a GP appointment

When in doubt, always choose the safer option: call 13 7425 to speak to someone before you decide. This line can connect an interpreter if needed — ask as soon as you call.