When an injury or sudden illness happens, knowing where to go first can save time, stress, and in some cases, lives. Victoria offers a range of health services — from Emergency Departments to Urgent Care Clinics — each designed to treat different levels of illness or injury. Using the most appropriate service helps you get timely care and reduces strain on hospitals. 

Emergency Departments: For Serious Emergencies 

An Emergency Department (ED) is open 24/7 and provides care for life-threatening or severe conditions. According to Better Health Victoria, EDs are equipped with specialist doctors, nurses, and diagnostic tools, prioritizing patients based on severity. 

Go to an ED if you experience: 

• Chest pain, breathing difficulties, or stroke symptoms 

• Severe trauma or accidents 

• Uncontrolled bleeding or unconsciousness 

• Severe burns or broken bones protruding through skin 

• Sudden, severe pain or neurological changes 

For life-threatening situations, always call Triple Zero (000) first. 

 Urgent Care Clinics: When Speed Matters but It’s Not Critical 

For urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, Victorians can visit Urgent Care Clinics. These clinics provide walk-in care for issues that can’t wait for a GP appointment, such as minor fractures, sprains, infections, fevers, cuts, or burns. 

Key features of urgent care clinics in Victoria: 

• No referral needed — walk in with or without a Medicare card (Better Health Victoria) 

• Extended hours and weekend availability 

• Staffed by experienced doctors and nurses, often with basic imaging facilities 

• Helps relieve pressure on hospital EDs, ensuring emergencies get faster care (Victorian Government) 

Virtual and Phone-Based Support 

If you’re unsure where to go, Victoria also offers Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. This allows patients to consult with an emergency clinician online for advice and referrals. 

Another useful service is Nurse-on-Call, available 24/7, providing professional guidance about whether you should go to an ED, urgent care, or manage your condition at home. 

Urgent Care Access Across Victoria (And Training Nearby) 

Urgent Care Clinics are now available across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, making it easier for residents to access fast treatment for non-life-threatening injuries such as sprains, minor burns, infections, and cuts. 

If you live or work near key growth areas, it’s also worth knowing where your closest first aid training venue is located. Emergency First Aid provides face-to-face first aid training across Victoria, with venues near major communities such as: 

• Melbourne CBD – Melbourne Training Venue 

• Dandenong / South-East – Dandenong Venue 

• Narre Warren / Casey Area – Narre Warren Venue 

• Pakenham / Cardinia – Pakenham Venue 

• Mitcham / Eastern Suburbs – Mitcham Venue 

• Templestowe / Doncaster Area – Templestowe Venue 

• Werribee / Wyndham – Werribee Venue 

• Melton / Western Growth Corridor – Melton Venue 

• Sunbury / North-West – Sunbury Venue 

• Broadmeadows / North – Broadmeadows Venue 

• Craigieburn / Kalkallo Growth Area – Craigieburn Venue | Kalkallo Venue 

• Mill Park / Northern Suburbs – Mill Park Venue 

• Gladstone Park Area – Gladstone Park Venue 

• Moorabbin / Bayside – Moorabbin Venue 

• Mornington Peninsula – Mornington Venue 

• Geelong Region – Geelong Venue 

• Ballarat Region – Ballarat Venue 

• Bendigo Region – Bendigo Venue 

• Bacchus Marsh / Moorabool – Bacchus Marsh Venue 

Knowing where urgent care services are located — and having up-to-date first aid skills — can make a major difference when injuries happen unexpectedly. 

Quick Decision Guide 

Why Choosing the Right Service Matters 

Using the correct service: 

• Speeds up treatment for your condition 

• Reduces hospital congestion, allowing EDs to focus on critical emergencies 

• Helps ambulances and emergency services respond more efficiently 

Since their introduction, urgent care clinics in Victoria have recorded over a million visits, demonstrating the value of directing appropriate cases away from EDs.  

Final Insights 

• Emergency Departments = life-threatening or severe conditions (Better Health Victoria) 

• Urgent Care Clinics = urgent, non-critical problems (Health Victoria) 

• Virtual and phone services = guidance when unsure (Better Health Victoria) 

At Emergency First Aid — emergency.com.au, we want all Victorians to feel confident in choosing the right care at the right time. Making the right decision ensures better outcomes for you and your community.