Healthdirect is the only eligible potential applicant, which comes as no surprise to anyone.
In the biggest non-surprise of the year Healthdirect Australia is the only eligible recipient for a $219 million four-year federal government grant to run 1800MEDICARE from 1 January 2026.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing released the grant opportunity this morning, detailing the breakdown in funding and the reasons why Healthdirect was best placed to deliver the free, nationwide 1800MEDICARE helpline and associated digital suite of tools.
1800MEDICARE will provide access to 24/7 health advice, after-hours GP virtual health services, and referrals to appropriate services under a nationally consistent model.
The four-year grant is worth $73.794 million in FY2025-26, $53.946 million in FY 2026-27, $44.514 million in FY 2027-28, and $46.44 million in FY 2028-29, totalling $218.694 million.
The Department may approve up to two further extensions, for up to four years each, subject to a government decision to extend the program.
“Healthdirect Australia is invited to apply for this grant opportunity as it is considered to be the only organisation that has the capability to deliver the grant activities; existing infrastructure including operational and digital infrastructure to support the grant activities; existing relationships to support the grant activities; and, knowledge of and capability to deliver to the grant activities, objectives and outcomes,” said the grant documents.
“Healthdirect is a well-established, trusted source of health information among Australians.
“Healthdirect also has a robust underlying clinical governance framework that forms the foundation of the health information and advice they provide.
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“Healthdirect’s established administrative arrangements and industry experience makes it uniquely suited to carry out the required services for the 1800MEDICARE program of work.
“Healthdirect is expected to deliver these services efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically on behalf of the Commonwealth,” said the Department.
Eligible grant activities may include:
- Provision of virtual telehealth services and tools, including: a virtual nursing triage service, such as the Health Information and Advice Service (a registered nurse-operated 24/7 telephone triage service and website, which allows the public to obtain health triage advice and information, and direction to the most appropriate health service for their needs) or those established under the 1800MEDICARE Program; after-hours GP service; video call service; Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond service; the National Health Services Directory; digital tools such as websites, widgets, apps; other negotiated health information, advice, navigation, or counselling services under the 1800MEDICARE Program.
- Rebranding and associated marketing and promotional activities of services and digital tools under the 1800MEDICARE banner.
- Digital platform integration and support, including platform interoperability and GP telehealth support tools.
- Development and upgrade of platform infrastructure and relevant service.
- Other additional/alternative information technology activities that relate to the delivery of services under this grant.
- Governance activities for the administration of Healthdirect Australia Ltd work related to 1800MEDICARE are also eligible to be funded under this grant opportunity. Governance activities may include (but are not limited to) staff costs; technology; outsourced services and consultants; marketing; legal, risk and audit; office and facilities; and travel and accommodation.