Can I See a GP Online in Australia? How Telehealth Consultations Work

Healthcare in Australia has changed significantly in recent years, and seeing a doctor no longer always means travelling to a medical clinic. Telehealth consultations allow eligible patients to speak with a GP by video or telephone from home, work or another private location.

Telehealth can be a convenient option for many common health concerns, particularly when a physical examination is not required. The RACGP recognises telehealth as an important part of modern general practice, while also emphasising that face-to-face care remains important when an examination or other in-person assessment is needed.

What is a telehealth GP consultation?

A telehealth consultation is a medical consultation conducted remotely using technology such as:

• Video consultation

• Telephone consultation

• Secure online communication

During a telehealth appointment, you can discuss your symptoms, medical history, medications and health concerns with a GP without physically attending the clinic.

The GP will determine whether your condition can be safely assessed and managed through telehealth. If an examination, test or face-to-face assessment is required, the doctor may recommend that you attend a medical centre or another healthcare service.

Can I see a GP online in Australia?

Yes. Telehealth is now an established part of Australian general practice and can be used for many types of medical consultations when clinically appropriate.

Depending on your circumstances and the type of consultation, you may be able to access a GP through video or telephone.

Medicare rebates may be available for eligible telehealth consultations, subject to the relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) requirements. Medicare telehealth rules can change, so your eligibility should be confirmed at the time of booking.

What conditions can a GP treat through telehealth?

Telehealth can be useful for many common health concerns, including:

• Colds and flu-like symptoms

• Coughs and mild respiratory infections

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Repeat prescriptions

• Medication reviews

• Medical certificates

• Referrals and follow-up appointments

• Skin conditions that can be assessed remotely

• Allergies

• Sexual health concerns

• Contraception discussions

• Some mental health concerns

• Chronic disease reviews

• Weight management

• Smoking cessation support

• Follow-up after previous medical treatment

Whether telehealth is appropriate depends on your individual symptoms and medical history.

What happens during an online GP appointment?

A typical telehealth consultation may follow these steps:

1. Book your appointment

Choose an available appointment time and provide some basic information about your reason for seeing a doctor.

2. Complete any pre-consultation information

You may be asked to provide details about your symptoms, medications, allergies and medical history before your appointment.

Providing accurate information helps the doctor understand your situation.

3. Speak with the GP

At the scheduled time, you will connect with the GP by video or telephone.

The GP may ask questions about:

• Your current symptoms

• When your symptoms started

• Your medical history

• Current medications

• Allergies

• Previous treatments

• Any relevant test results

4. Assessment and treatment plan

The GP will assess the information available and determine the most appropriate management.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Advice about managing your condition

• A prescription where clinically appropriate

• An electronic prescription

• A referral

• Pathology or imaging requests

• A medical certificate where appropriate

• Follow-up with your usual GP

• A recommendation for an in-person consultation

5. Follow-up

The GP may recommend a follow-up appointment to assess your progress, particularly if symptoms persist or treatment has been started.

Can I get a prescription through telehealth?

In appropriate circumstances, a GP may prescribe medication following a telehealth consultation.

However, not every medication is suitable for prescribing through telehealth. The doctor needs to assess whether prescribing is clinically appropriate and safe.

The GP may also recommend an in-person assessment, pathology testing or another form of medical review before prescribing.

You should never assume that an online consultation will automatically result in a prescription.

Can I get an eScript online?

Where an electronic prescription is clinically appropriate and legally permitted, a GP may issue an electronic prescription (eScript) following a consultation.

The prescription can generally be sent electronically using the relevant prescription system, allowing you to obtain the medication from a participating pharmacy.

The decision to prescribe remains with the treating doctor.

Can I get a medical certificate online?

A medical certificate may be provided following a telehealth consultation when the GP has sufficient information to make an appropriate clinical assessment.

A medical certificate should only be issued when medically justified. The doctor may need to ask about your symptoms, functional capacity and expected recovery time.

Can I get a referral through telehealth?

Yes, a GP may be able to provide a referral following a telehealth consultation when clinically appropriate.

Depending on your condition, the GP may refer you to:

• A specialist

• Pathology

• Radiology

• Physiotherapy

• Psychology

• Other allied health services

Sometimes an examination or additional information is required before a referral can be appropriately made.

Is telehealth bulk billed?

Some telehealth consultations may be bulk billed, while others may involve a private consultation fee.

Medicare eligibility and MBS requirements apply to Medicare-rebated services, and the rules can vary depending on the type of consultation and the patient's circumstances.

If you are booking a telehealth appointment, check the clinic's fees and Medicare eligibility requirements before your consultation.

Do I need Medicare to have an online GP consultation?

You do not necessarily need Medicare to access a private telehealth consultation. Some services are available to patients who pay privately.

However, Medicare rebates are only available when the relevant eligibility and MBS requirements are met.

Is an online GP consultation private and confidential?

Medical consultations conducted through an appropriate healthcare service are subject to privacy and confidentiality requirements.

When attending a telehealth appointment, choose a private location where you can speak freely. It is also important to use a secure internet connection and protect your personal health information.

The RACGP highlights privacy, security and clinical appropriateness as important considerations when providing technology-based consultations.

When is telehealth not appropriate?

Telehealth is not suitable for every medical problem.

You may need to attend a clinic or other healthcare facility if the doctor needs to perform:

• A physical examination

• Blood pressure or other vital-sign measurements

• An ECG

• A neurological examination

• An abdominal examination

• A wound assessment requiring direct examination

• Other investigations or procedures

The GP may also recommend an in-person assessment if your symptoms are unclear, severe or potentially serious.

Telehealth should complement face-to-face healthcare rather than replace it when an examination is required.

What about emergencies?

Telehealth should not be used for a medical emergency.

If you have severe chest pain, significant difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or paralysis, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction or another potentially life-threatening condition, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Do not wait for an online GP appointment if you believe you need urgent medical attention.

What are the benefits of seeing a GP online?

Telehealth can provide several advantages:

Convenience

You can speak with a doctor without travelling to a medical centre.

Accessibility

Telehealth can be particularly useful for people who have difficulty travelling, live in regional or remote areas, have caring responsibilities or cannot easily take time away from work.

Continuity of care

Telehealth can allow patients to maintain contact with their usual GP or practice when an in-person appointment is not necessary.

Privacy

For some sensitive health concerns, speaking with a doctor from a private location may feel more comfortable.

Time saving

There is no need to spend time travelling to and waiting at a clinic when a remote consultation is clinically appropriate.

How should I prepare for an online GP appointment?

To get the most from your consultation:

• Find a quiet and private location

• Make sure your phone or computer is charged

• Have your Medicare details available if relevant

• Keep a list of your current medications

• Know your medication allergies

• Have relevant medical information available

• Write down your main symptoms and when they started

• Have recent test results or specialist letters available if relevant

• Check that your internet connection, microphone and camera are working

If you are using video, make sure the lighting is adequate and your face can be clearly seen.

Is an online GP consultation right for me?

Telehealth can be an excellent option for many routine and follow-up medical concerns, but it is not appropriate for every situation.

The most important question is not simply whether a consultation can technically be performed online, but whether it is clinically safe and appropriate to do so.

A GP can assess your circumstances during the consultation and recommend face-to-face care if required.

See a GP online with NewTeleDoc Medical

NewTeleDoc Medical provides telehealth consultations with Australian-registered doctors, allowing patients to access medical care from the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Depending on your needs, a consultation may assist with common health concerns, prescriptions, medical certificates, referrals, sexual health, weight management, chronic conditions and other general medical issues.

Book an online GP consultation with NewTeleDoc Medical today and speak with an Australian-registered doctor from wherever you are.

Important information

Telehealth is not appropriate for every medical condition. A doctor will determine whether your health concern can be safely assessed remotely and may recommend an in-person consultation, examination or further investigation when necessary.

This article provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. Medicare eligibility, bulk-billing arrangements and telehealth requirements may change, so patients should confirm current requirements with the healthcare provider and Medicare.