This audit would examine the stand up and early implementation of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) to provide assurance that the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Health) has administered UCC funding appropriately and is monitoring and evaluating the performance of UCCs to ensure the model is meeting its objectives and achieving value for money. Health describes the purpose of UCCs as helping to reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, through providing urgent care in a general practitioner setting that is open seven days a week, early and late.

The October 2022–23 Federal Budget included $235 million over four years to commence the roll-out of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs). In the 2023–24 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced $358.5 million over five years to establish 58 UCCs. In the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the government announced a further $227.0 million to boost the capacity of UCCs including by establishing another 29 UCCs, for a total of 87. In March 2025, the Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Aged Care committed an additional $644 million to open another 50 UCCs, with more clinics planned in every state and territory.