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Know your treatment options
Right Care Right Place
There are a range of different care options available in Tasmania if you are unwell. This depends on your symptoms and how serious your illness is.
Choosing the most appropriate service for your needs can help you get the right care sooner and help busy services.
Getting the right care for your needs
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call 000 immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
If the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening there are other health services available in Tasmania.
This page provides an overview of these services, including those available after hours.
Healthdirect
Healthdirect's free helpline is staffed by registered nurses who can provide advice when you're not sure what to do. They can tell you if you should manage your symptoms from home, visit a GP or go to an emergency department.
If needed after hours, you will be offered a call-back from a Tasmanian GP.
Contact Healthdirect
Healthdirect provides free trusted health information 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222
- Check your symptoms on the Healthdirect website
Healthdirect maternal child health nurses
Pregnancy, birth and baby is operated by HealthDirect and available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).
- Call Pregnancy, birth and baby on 1300 882 432
- Make a video call to speak face-to-face with a maternal child health nurse
- Learn more on the Pregnancy, birth and baby website
General Practitioners (GPs)
Your regular GP is usually the first person you go to if you have a health issue.
Learn about the role of a General Practitioner (GP) on the Healthdirect website.
Some GPs offer extended opening hours in the evenings and on weekends if you need urgent care after hours.
Find your nearest after-hours GP in Tasmania
Pharmacies
Pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses and ailments, such as coughs, colds, cuts and grazes.
Learn about the role of a pharmacist on the Healthdirect website.
Some pharmacies are open late, on weekends and public holidays.
Tasmanian Afterhours Advice Line
The Tasmanian Afterhours Advice Line offers expert pharmacist advice and support when local pharmacies are closed.
You can call the Tasmanian Afterhours Advice Line on 1300 742 769 from 6pm to midnight, 7 days a week.
COVID@homeplus
The COVID@homeplus service provides remote healthcare in the home for vulnerable patients with COVID-19 (and other respiratory illnesses) who meet specific referral criteria.
The service can arrange access to testing and antiviral medications if you are eligible.
It also provides advice and support for anyone caring for someone with COVID-19.
Learn more about COVID@homeplus
Mental health care and support
Anyone in Tasmania can call the Access Mental Health Helpline for
- immediate counselling support over the phone
- information about the Tasmanian mental health system
- help making a referral to public mental health services.
Contact Access Mental Health
The Access Mental Health Helpline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- Call the helpline on 1800 332 388
- Learn more about the Access Mental Health Helpline
View other mental health crisis support services available in Tasmania
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
The Australian Government has provided funding for 58 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide care for people with urgent, but non-life-threatening, medical needs. They will provide care for Tasmanians who can’t wait to see their regular GP, but don’t need to go to the Emergency Department (ED).
There will be four Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Tasmania – two in the south, one in the north and one in the north-west. The locations and details of these clinics will be published as they become operational.
Learn more about Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
Medical emergencies
Emergency Departments are for serious and life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
If you or your loved one are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness, call 000 immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
