Yes, a telehealth GP in Australia can assess symptoms of depression or anxiety, discuss whether medication is appropriate, and prescribe antidepressants including SSRIs or SNRIs when clinically suitable. Your GP can also issue a repeat prescription if you are already stable on treatment, create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions, and issue a medical certificate if you need time off work or study. Some situations need an in-person assessment or referral to a psychiatrist, and your GP will tell you if that applies.
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, please call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14, or attend your nearest emergency department. Telehealth is not appropriate for an acute mental health emergency. 13YARN on 13 92 76 is a dedicated 24/7 line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
What your telehealth GP can do for depression and anxiety
A mental health telehealth consultation is structured like an in-person GP visit. Your GP will ask about your mood, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, thoughts of self-harm, any past mental health history, current medications, alcohol and other drug use, and life circumstances. The conversation typically takes 20 to 40 minutes for a first assessment, shorter for a follow-up or repeat script.
Based on that assessment, your GP can discuss treatment options with you. Common first-line antidepressants in Australia are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These are not controlled substances and can generally be prescribed via telehealth where clinically appropriate. Your GP will decide which, if any, is suitable for your specific situation. Medication is one option alongside psychological therapy, lifestyle changes, and other supports; your GP will help you weigh the choice.
If your GP does prescribe an antidepressant, the eScript is sent to your phone within minutes. You can present it at any pharmacy in Australia.
Starting an antidepressant for the first time
A first prescription typically comes with a follow-up plan. Your GP will usually ask you to check in within two to four weeks of starting the medication, and again at around six weeks, because response and side effects both need to be reviewed. Most antidepressants take two to six weeks to show a meaningful effect; feeling worse before feeling better is a known pattern with several classes. Side effects are often most noticeable in the first one to two weeks and tend to settle.
Your GP will also talk through a safety net plan: what to do if you feel worse, if you have thoughts of self-harm, or if side effects are intolerable. You will be given specific guidance on when to come back sooner, when to contact a crisis line, and when to attend an emergency department.
Telehealth is well-suited to ongoing review. Many patients find it easier to keep up with regular short check-ins by phone or video than by booking repeat in-person appointments.
Getting a repeat prescription for an antidepressant
If you are already on an antidepressant and stable, a telehealth consultation to renew the repeat prescription is usually quick. Your GP will confirm the medication, dose, how long you have been on it, any recent changes, and how you are feeling, then send the eScript to your phone.
Have your current medication details handy for the appointment, including the dose and any recent dose changes. If you have been on the same medication for some time and your treating GP is someone else, your NewDoc GP may ask for access to your My Health Record or a copy of your last prescription to confirm continuity.
What cannot be prescribed via telehealth
Some psychoactive medications are rarely or never prescribed via telehealth and typically require an in-person appointment. These include:
- Schedule 8 controlled substances (such as ADHD stimulant medications and opioid analgesics). These usually require an in-person assessment. ADHD stimulants in particular are typically specialist-initiated under a state authority; maintenance opioids can be continued by a GP in person once treatment is established.
- Restricted substances such as benzodiazepines and pregabalin. A first-time prescription typically requires an in-person GP or specialist; ongoing scripts depend on your state's prescribing rules and your existing relationship with a treating doctor.
Most first-line antidepressants are not in these categories and can be prescribed via telehealth where clinically appropriate. If your GP determines a restricted medication is needed, they will help you plan an in-person follow-up.
Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a Medicare-funded document your GP creates during the consultation. It provides access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. Your GP can prepare it via telehealth, and the plan then goes directly to the psychologist you choose.
Psychological therapy (for example cognitive behavioural therapy) is a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety and is often recommended alongside or instead of medication. A psychologist referral for any registered psychologist in Australia can be issued during the same appointment. For complex or treatment-resistant presentations, your GP may instead refer you to a psychiatrist.
When to seek urgent help
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe, please get help now:
- Call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7, free).
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 (24/7, free).
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7, free).
- 13YARN: 13 92 76 (24/7, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (5 to 25 years old).
Telehealth is not for acute crisis. A NewDoc GP can help with assessment, medication, referrals, and follow-up; emergency mental health care is provided by hospital emergency departments and state Mental Health Triage lines.
Is a telehealth mental health consult bulk billed?
For eligible Medicare cardholders, NewDoc bulk billed telehealth consultations for mental health have no out-of-pocket cost. This includes the consultation, any prescription issued as an eScript, the Mental Health Treatment Plan if your GP creates one, a medical certificate if you need time off, and any psychologist or psychiatrist referral. Eligibility is checked at the time of booking.
All consultations are conducted by AHPRA-registered General Practitioners who hold Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). The clinical standard is the same as an in-person GP visit.
How to book
Visit NewDoc to book a bulk billed telehealth mental health consultation. First assessments typically take 20 to 40 minutes and are best booked with a little privacy at your end of the call. Same-day and next-available appointments are usually offered seven days a week.
Frequently asked questions
Can a GP prescribe antidepressants via telehealth in Australia?
Yes. A telehealth GP can assess symptoms, discuss treatment options, and prescribe first-line antidepressants (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) when clinically appropriate. The eScript is sent to your phone during the consultation. Some restricted medications, for example benzodiazepines and pregabalin, typically require an in-person appointment rather than telehealth.
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to get antidepressants?
No. A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a Medicare-funded document that gives you access to up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per year; it is separate from a prescription. Your GP can prescribe an antidepressant without creating a plan, and can create a plan without prescribing medication. Many patients benefit from both, and your GP can do both in a single telehealth consultation.
How long do antidepressants take to start working?
Most antidepressants take two to six weeks to show a meaningful effect on mood. Side effects, if they occur, are often most noticeable in the first one to two weeks and tend to settle. Your GP will usually schedule a review within two to four weeks of starting, and again at around six weeks, to check how you are responding and whether any dose change is needed.
Can I get a repeat prescription for an antidepressant via telehealth?
Yes. If you are already on an antidepressant and stable, a short telehealth consultation is usually enough for your GP to issue a repeat. Have your current medication details ready, including the dose and any recent changes. If your treating GP is someone else, your NewDoc GP may ask for access to your My Health Record or a copy of your last prescription to confirm continuity.
Can a telehealth GP treat anxiety as well as depression?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, and mixed anxiety-depression are all common reasons to book a telehealth GP. Your GP can assess your symptoms, discuss psychological therapy (often first-line for mild to moderate anxiety), prescribe medication where appropriate, issue a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Some anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines typically require an in-person appointment rather than telehealth.
What should I do if I'm having a mental health crisis?
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 000, attend your nearest emergency department, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 13YARN on 13 92 76 is a dedicated 24/7 line. Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800, for 5 to 25 year olds) are also free and available around the clock. Telehealth is not for an acute mental health emergency.
Ready to see a GP?
Book a bulk billed telehealth consultation. Same-day appointments, seven days a week.
Last reviewed 24 April 2026. Editorial policy
Written by
Chief Medical Officer, NewDoc
A practising GP with over a decade of clinical experience, specialising in allergies, metabolic health, and chronic disease management.