Street Side Medics Officially Launches Canberra Clinic, Bringing Free GP Care to People Experiencing Homelessness

Street Side Medics has officially launched its first ACT-based clinic, expanding the charity’s GP-led mobile medical service to people experiencing homelessness in the nation’s capital.

The official launch took place at Parliament House on Tuesday 11 August 2026, with the charity’s purpose-built mobile medical clinic stationed on Federation Mall before an evening celebration attended by supporters, community partners and Federal Parliamentarians, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

While the launch marked the official arrival of Street Side Medics in the ACT, the Canberra clinic has already been operating weekly since early July from the Griffin Centre in Civic, in close partnership with Vinnies Roadhouse.

The Street Side Medics clinic operates every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm, providing free GP-led primary healthcare alongside the hot meals and other support services delivered by Vinnies Roadhouse.

Street Side Medics Founder and 2022 Young Australian of the Year, Dr Daniel Nour, said the Canberra launch marked an important milestone in the organisation’s national expansion.

“Street Side Medics was founded on a simple belief that nobody should miss out on healthcare because of their circumstances,” Dr Nour said.

“Bringing the service to Canberra means we can reach more people who are experiencing homelessness and facing barriers to accessing mainstream healthcare.

“The response from the Canberra community, our volunteers and local service partners has been incredibly encouraging, and we plan to build on that foundation,” added Dr Nour.

Street Side Medics CEO Nic Brown said the partnership with Vinnies Roadhouse was central to the success of the Canberra clinic.

“Each Street Side Medics clinic is delivered in partnership with organisations that are already trusted by the communities we are here to support,” said Mr Brown.

“By being in the same place, at the same time, every week, we can make healthcare more accessible while building the trust and continuity of care that are so important for people who may have had difficult experiences with the healthcare system.

“Vinnies Roadhouse already provides a safe and welcoming environment, and together we can connect people with healthcare alongside other practical support they may need,” added Mr Brown.

According to Street Side Medics, people experiencing homelessness can face multiple barriers to accessing healthcare, including cost, transport, lack of awareness of available services and previous negative experiences that can lead to distrust of the healthcare system.

The charity provides bulk-billed care to Medicare card holders, while operating a no-turn-away policy for people without Medicare or where payment is not possible.

Services available through the Street Side Medics mobile clinic include general health checks, chronic disease screening, infectious disease and STI screening, immunisations, pathology, diagnosis and treatment, Medicare care plans, nutritional advice, minor surgical procedures and referrals to medical specialists.

The Street Side Medics Canberra clinic is helping to fill a critical healthcare gap, with the ACT having one of the lowest bulk-billing rates in Australia, while homelessness across the Territory remains persistent and complex.

According to the latest available Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, 1,783 people were experiencing homelessness in the ACT in 2021, equivalent to 39 people per 10,000 residents. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data also shows approximately 4,200 people accessed specialist homelessness services in the ACT in 2024–25.

The Canberra clinic is Street Side Medics’ 16th clinic nationally, with the organisation now operating across NSW and Victoria and preparing for further expansion soon into South Australia.

In the past year alone, Street Side Medics has delivered more than 600 clinics and 7,000 medical consultations to vulnerable Australians.

Street Side Medics CEO Nic Brown said the organisation’s growth would not be possible without its volunteer workforce and supporters.

“Street Side Medics is entirely volunteer-driven, and we simply could not deliver this service without the doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, drivers and community volunteers who give their time and expertise.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Federal Government, the John James Foundation and LSH Auto for helping make the Canberra clinic possible, and to our local partners and volunteers for getting this service off the ground,” added Mr Brown.

Street Side Medics Canberra clinic details:

Street Side Medics Civic operates every Thursday from 5pm–7pm outside Vinnies Roadhouse at the Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Canberra.

The service is free and available to people experiencing homelessness and those who may otherwise face significant barriers to accessing primary healthcare.

For more information about Street Side Medics, visit www.streetsidemedics.com.au