A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic announced for Caloundra by Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP will help meet growing demand for urgent primary care on the southern Sunshine Coast.
Country to Coast Queensland (CCQ) representatives attended the 7 June announcement alongside Senator Corinne Mulholland, Ochre Health and local health stakeholders.
The clinic will be operated by Ochre Health and will open at Little Mountain from 17 June 2026 before moving to a larger, purpose-built facility in the Aura community in 2027.
The service is part of the Australian Government’s national Medicare Urgent Care Clinic program, with CCQ leading local service planning and provider procurement through its role as the region’s Primary Health Network (PHN) organisation.
CCQ Chief Executive Officer Julie Sturgess said the Caloundra clinic was an important addition to the region’s existing primary health service system.
“The new Caloundra clinic is the sixth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic commissioned across our region and forms part of a national program designed to improve access to urgent care for non-life-threatening health needs,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Caloundra and the southern Sunshine Coast communities are growing rapidly. It was important that this service was planned not only for today’s demand, but for the community that will be here in the years ahead.
“That’s why the pathway from the interim Little Mountain location to a larger, purpose-built site in Aura is so important. Aura is a rapidly-growing community area and the future clinic will bring together urgent care, general practice and access to onsite diagnostic services including pathology and imaging services.
“That is the type of integrated primary care model that growing communities need.”
The clinic will initially operate from Shop 1, 65 Pierce Avenue, Little Mountain, from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Extended hours from 8am to 10pm are expected from mid-October 2026.
Ms Sturgess said Medicare Urgent Care Clinics help bridge the gap between general practice and hospital emergency departments.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are not designed to replace a person’s regular GP. They provide an additional option when someone needs an urgent care appointment for a non-life-threatening condition and their usual GP is not available,” she said.
“Urgent care services complement general practice, support better navigation of the health system and help reduce avoidable pressure on emergency departments.”
For life-threatening emergencies, people should always call Triple Zero (000) or attend the nearest emergency department.
Visit our Medicare Urgent Care Clinic page for locations and opening hours across our region.
Caloundra and the southern Sunshine Coast communities are growing rapidly. It was important that this service was planned not only for today’s demand, but for the community that will be here in the years ahead.