If you’ve ever had a kid spike a fever at 7pm on a Sunday and had no idea whether to call someone, drive somewhere, or just wait, this one’s for you.

Perth mum Jasmine (@_jsantich) has spent her career as a registered nurse, and these days she works remotely, spending a lot of her time referring people to services most of us don’t even know exist. Her recent TikTok breaking down three completely free, Medicare-backed services has taken off, racking up over 70K likes, 65K saves and more than 19K shares, and it’s easy to see why: she reckons most parents have no idea these services even exist.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of a lot of free Medicare services that are really great and accessible,” she said. “And may potentially save you from having to go and wait in ED for hours on end.”

Screenshot this one, because you’ll want it next time you’re standing in the kitchen at 9pm wondering what to do.

@_jsantich 3 FREE accessible healthcare services in Australia! 13sick.com.au – telehealth health direct – triage symptoms, health advice, connect to services Urgent care service – urgent appts for minor injuries or symptoms **If you or anyone you know is experiencing concerning symptoms or a medical episode please use emergency services 000. Recommended from a remote registered nurse 🧑‍⚕️🫁🫀 If you want further information or questions leave them below. #registerednurse #remotenurse #freehealthcare #fyp #health ♬ original sound – JASMINE

1. healthdirect (1800 022 222)

This is the one to call when you’re not sure if something’s actually urgent. It’s a free, 24/7 line staffed by registered nurses across Australia, and they’ll talk you through your symptoms, tell you whether you need to be seen, and point you toward the right service if you do, whether that’s a GP, a pharmacist, or an after-hours doctor.

Jasmine says it’s not just for when you’re sick yourself, either. “Even if it’s about a family member and you want to know a little bit more about a condition,” she said, it’s worth the call. In some states they can also connect you through to virtual ED services if that ends up being the right call.

2. 13SICK, the National Home Doctor Service (13 74 25)

This is the after-hours GP line, useful for things like scripts, medical certificates, or just wanting a doctor’s advice without leaving the house. It’s a Medicare-backed telehealth service, so it’s free, and you can have an actual consult with a doctor over the phone or video rather than waiting for your regular clinic to reopen.

It won’t cover everything (nothing free ever does), but for the stuff that can genuinely wait until you’ve spoken to someone, it means you’re not stuck googling symptoms at midnight.

3. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics

These are popping up all over the country, and they’re bulk-billed, meaning all you need is a Medicare card. No booking required, you just walk in.

Jasmine’s used them mostly for her own kids and says they’re efficient, if occasionally a bit of a wait. “It is not like an ED,” she said. You’ll be triaged and seen according to urgency, but it’s a different environment altogether, generally faster and far less chaotic than a hospital emergency department. You can search for your nearest one at health.gov.au/MedicareUCC.

A word of caution

Jasmine is upfront that these services have limits. “This does not mean if you’re having chest pain, go to urgent care,” she said. “If you’re having anything serious or you have any concerns whatsoever, please always call an ambulance.”

If it’s genuinely an emergency, always call 000.

But for the in-between moments, the ones that don’t need a hospital but definitely need someone who knows more than Dr Google, these three numbers are worth having saved. As Jasmine put it, they exist to help take some of the pressure off a healthcare system that’s already stretched thin, and used well, they can mean the difference between hours in a waiting room and a problem sorted from your couch.

This article is general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 immediately.

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