Can a telehealth doctor write a prescription in Australia?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP can write a prescription during a telehealth consultation in Australia. The prescription is issued as an electronic prescription (eScript) and sent directly to your phone via SMS. You can present it at nearly any pharmacy in Australia; almost all dispense eScripts.

Telehealth prescribing follows the same clinical and legal standards as in-person prescribing. Your GP will assess whether the medication is appropriate for you based on your medical history, current symptoms, and any relevant test results.

What can a telehealth GP prescribe?

A telehealth GP can prescribe most medications that a GP would prescribe in a standard clinic appointment. This includes medications for:

• High blood pressure and cardiovascular conditions
• Cholesterol management
• Diabetes
• Asthma and respiratory conditions
• Contraception (the pill, mini-pill)
• Antibiotics for infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and skin infections
• Mental health conditions (your GP will assess and may discuss treatment options)
• Skin conditions such as acne and eczema
• Hay fever and allergies
• Acid reflux and gastrointestinal conditions

Your GP will review your history and determine the most appropriate treatment. They may also order blood tests or other investigations before prescribing.

What cannot be prescribed via telehealth?

There are certain medications that cannot be prescribed during a telehealth consultation. These include:

• Schedule 8 controlled substances: opioids (such as oxycodone and morphine), stimulants (such as dexamphetamine and methylphenidate), and other controlled drugs. These require an in-person consultation and, in most cases, authority from the relevant state or territory health department.
• Schedule 4D restricted substances: benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and temazepam) and pregabalin. These also require an in-person assessment due to their potential for dependence.

If you need a prescription for a controlled or restricted substance, your GP will advise you to see a doctor in person.

How do telehealth prescriptions work?

From consult to pharmacy, the whole thing takes four steps. As at August 2026, this is how it works with telehealth GP services that issue eScripts, NewDoc included:

1. You have a telehealth consultation. The GP takes your history, asks about symptoms and current medications, and decides whether the medication is clinically appropriate, exactly as they would in a clinic room.
2. The GP issues an eScript. The prescription is created as an electronic prescription and sent to your phone by SMS (or email) as a unique token, usually within minutes of the consult ending. Electronic prescriptions are a national system run under the Australian Digital Health Agency's electronic prescriptions program.
3. You take the token to the pharmacy. Nearly every Australian pharmacy dispenses electronic prescriptions. Show the SMS at the counter, or send the token to a pharmacy that offers home delivery. The pharmacist scans it and dispenses your medication. There is no paper to collect and nothing to print.
4. Repeats stay on the system. If your GP has issued repeats, the pharmacy manages them from the same token chain, the same way they would with a paper script. Lose the SMS before it is dispensed? Your GP can reissue the token. For repeats, the dispensing pharmacy sends you a fresh token with each supply.

eScripts work as a legal alternative to paper prescriptions and are accepted at pharmacies across Australia. The only real difference from a paper script is that there is no paper to carry or lose.

What about pharmacist prescribing?

Trained pharmacists in all Australian states and territories can now supply antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs in non-pregnant women aged 18 to 65, under state-based protocols. This applies in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT without requiring a GP consultation.

This is a convenient option if you have straightforward UTI symptoms and want treatment immediately. However, if your symptoms are recurrent, complicated, or you have other health concerns, a GP consultation is recommended. You can book a telehealth appointment to discuss your symptoms and get a prescription or referral if needed.

For more information, see our guide to UTI treatment via telehealth.

How does the prescribing process work at NewDoc?

Getting a prescription through NewDoc takes three steps:

1. Book a consultation: Complete a short health questionnaire and select an available appointment time. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week.

2. See your GP: Connect with an AHPRA-registered, fellowship-qualified GP (FRACGP or FACRRM) via video or phone call. Discuss your symptoms, medication history, and any concerns.

3. Receive your eScript: If your GP determines a prescription is appropriate, your eScript is sent to your phone via SMS within minutes of the consultation.

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation is bulk billed with no out-of-pocket cost. Eligibility depends on your Medicare status and location. The prescription is included in the consultation fee. There is no extra charge for scripts.

If you also need time off work or study, your GP can issue a telehealth medical certificate in the same consultation.

How to get started

Visit NewDoc to book a bulk billed telehealth consultation. Whether you need a new prescription or a repeat script, the booking takes under two minutes and same-day appointments are available.

References

• Australian Digital Health Agency, Electronic prescriptions

Written by

Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Chief Medical Officer, NewDoc

A practising GP with over a decade of clinical experience, specialising in allergies, metabolic health, and chronic disease management.