Rural and remote Victoria

Most people who live in Victoria live in the Greater Melbourne area. Around 1 in 7 Victorians live in rural areas.

What types of health services are available?

To find rural health services in Victoria you can use the healthdirect Service Finder. These services include:

• doctors
• hospitals
• dentists
• opticians
• psychologists
• pharmacies

You can often learn about your local health services at community centres or by asking local people.

The service you need may depend on what you need help with.

Rural and isolated practice registered nurses (RIPERNs) are important in rural and regional areas. They are nurses who have been trained to help rural communities access health services. They can also help you access important medicines.

Hospitals

Victoria has over 300 hospitals.

Rural Victoria is split into 5 rural health regions, these contain:

• 5 bush nursing hospitals
• 15 bush nursing centres
• Aboriginal health services

Bush nursing hospitals and centres are small, community-based centres.

You can find a list of public Victorian hospitals and health services.

Outpatient services

There are 70 rural urgent care centres across Victoria which provide care to rural communities. If you need further care, you may be transferred to a larger centre or clinic.

In rural Victoria, there are also community health services, such as:

• alcohol and drug services
• disability services and allied healthcare
• family planning

Specialist outreach services

Outreach programs provide health service access for

• rural and regional communities
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• refugees

You can find an outreach program through the Royal Melbourne Hospital or the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria website.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service also has a range of services across the state, including:

• dental clinics
• women's health
• mental health
• eye care
• speech therapy

Mental health and wellbeing

People living and working in rural areas can experience stresses that are different to people in metropolitan areas. These stresses can include loneliness and isolation.

Sometimes, you may find you need extra support. If you need help to maintain your mental health and wellbeing, there are a range of services available to you.

The Rural Outreach Program gives mental health support to rural patients who are going through hardships. You can call the program on 1300 688 732.

You can also visit the Women's Health Vic website for their directory of health services. This includes mental health support through the Women's Mental Health Alliance.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, Suicide Line provides 24-hour support across Victoria. Call 1300 651 251 to talk to a caring professional.

Read more about Victoria's mental health services.

Find out more about rural and remote mental health and other mental health helplines.

Dental care

Dental services may be more difficult to access in rural and regional Victoria.

You can find a service near you using the Dental Health Services Victoria website.

Find out if you're eligible for public dental care.

Learn more about dental health.

Emergency assistance

Rural urgent care services provide help for accidents and emergencies. Ambulance Victoria has emergency medical flights, which run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and covers rural areas. They may also partner with groups like Careflight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Online and telephone services and support

For free health advice you can call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24. A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Virtual care or telehealth

Telehealth connects people in remote and rural areas with health professionals using video or phone. This can, in some cases, prevent you from having to travel to an appointment.

My Health Record

My Health Record allows your important health information to be stored in one place. It's a secure online summary of your health information. You and your healthcare professionals can add details to your My Health Record.

If you live in rural and remote areas, you may have health providers in different places. My Health Record helps with communication between the people looking after you.

This online learning module can help you understand your My Health Record.

Health services and support across your life-course in Victoria

There are many online and telephone support services that you can access across your life course.

Healthcare for babies and toddlers

The Maternal and Child Health Line is available to provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call on 13 22 29.

Learn about the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program.

If you are pregnant, or a parent of a young child you can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Read about maternity services in Victoria.

Healthcare for children

The Maternal and Child Health Service offers free primary healthcare to children from birth until they are school age.

The Kids Helpline offers telephone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25 years. You can call them on 1800 55 1800.

Healthcare for teenagers

There are many health services for young people in Victoria, including mental health services.

Visit Youth Central for support in taking care of your physical and mental health.

Headspace offers mental health support for people aged 12 to 25 years. Visit their website, call them on 1800 650 890, or make an appointment at your nearest headspace centre.

Kids Helpline has telephone and online counselling for people up to the age of 25 years. You can call them on 1800 55 1800.

ReachOut.com is a youth mental health service. Visit their website for online help.

Learn more about sexual health.

Healthcare for older people

Seniors Online Victoria has information on how to age well.

Residential aged care services are available across Victoria in rural and regional areas.

For information on aged care services, you can visit the My Aged Care website or call on 1800 200 422.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' health

There are a range of health services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in rural and remote Victoria.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you.

The Maternal and Child Health Service also offers services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

You can also visit the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service website.

Farming communities

Living and working in rural and remote areas may involve certain risks, and accidents are common in farming communities. The National Centre for Farmer Health has information on safety, health and wellbeing.

You can also visit the National Centre for Farmer Health's support hub of mental health resources.

Staying healthy

The Victoria State Government Department of Health website has information on nutrition and healthy eating and physical activity.

Travelling to health services

Travelling for medical services can be stressful and expensive. There is help available.

You may qualify for help through the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme.

Ambulance Victoria provides emergency medical transport, as well as non-emergency medical transport, for a fee. CareFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service also have non-emergency patient transport.

If you need urgent care, you can be transferred to a major hospital using a service called Adult Retrieval Victoria.

Travelling to hospital with a sick child can be difficult for the whole family. You can ask your health service or hospital about what support may be available. You might also be able to get help for accommodation through Ronald McDonald House.

Resources and support

Carers Victoria supports those Victorians who give unpaid care to a family member or friend.

Learn more about the disability services available in Victoria.

You can find out more about rural and remote health.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.