Yes, for most people an Australian GP can prescribe the contraceptive pill via a telehealth consultation. Both the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progestogen-only pill can be prescribed online after a short clinical assessment of your medical history, blood pressure, and risk factors. The eScript is sent to your phone and you collect the medication from any Australian pharmacy. Some situations still call for in-person care, and your GP will let you know if that applies.
What can a telehealth GP prescribe?
During a bulk billed telehealth consultation, a GP can discuss and prescribe the main oral contraceptive options:
- Combined oral contraceptive pill (COC), which contains oestrogen and progestogen
- Progestogen-only pill (POP or "mini-pill"), which contains progestogen only and may suit people who cannot take oestrogen
- Repeat scripts for a pill you are already using, if clinically appropriate
Your GP can also advise on non-pill contraception, although inserting or removing a device (such as an IUD or implant) needs an in-person appointment with a trained clinician. A GP can start the referral pathway during the telehealth consult.
Is a telehealth pill prescription safe?
The assessment is the same whether you see a GP by phone, video, or in person. Contraceptive-pill prescribing is guided by the RACGP's contraception resources and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare guidance, and involves the same structured questions regardless of format.
A GP will typically ask about:
- Your current contraceptive method (if any) and what has worked or not worked
- Medical history, including migraines (especially with aura), high blood pressure, blood clotting conditions, heart disease, and some liver conditions
- Whether you smoke, your age, and your body mass index (BMI)
- Medications you are already taking (some interact with the pill)
- Menstrual history and any recent pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A recent blood pressure reading (see below)
For most people, these questions can be answered fully in a telehealth consultation. If something in your history needs a physical examination (for example, symptoms that need review in person), your GP will tell you and arrange the next step.
Do I need a blood pressure reading first?
A current blood pressure reading is usually required before a combined oral contraceptive is prescribed. You have a few options for getting this:
- A free pharmacy check. Most pharmacies will measure your blood pressure at no charge while you wait.
- A home monitor. Many households have one, and your reading from the last week or two is usually acceptable.
- A recent GP visit. If you have a reading from a check-up in the past 6 to 12 months, that may be sufficient.
Your GP will let you know what is acceptable during the booking flow or consultation. The progestogen-only pill does not always require a current blood pressure reading because it does not contain oestrogen.
Can I get a repeat contraceptive pill script online?
Yes. If you have been on a particular pill without issues, getting a repeat prescription online via telehealth is straightforward. Your GP will confirm there have been no changes to your health, medications, or blood pressure, and send a new eScript to your phone. See our guide on how to get a repeat prescription online for the full process.
What about emergency contraception (the morning-after pill)?
In Australia, common emergency contraceptive pills (such as levonorgestrel-based products) are available over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription. You do not need a telehealth appointment for the standard morning-after pill. A pharmacist will ask a few screening questions before supplying it.
If the standard pill is not suitable, or you want advice on which option fits your situation, a telehealth GP can discuss the alternatives (including the copper IUD as emergency contraception, which needs in-person insertion).
How much does it cost?
- The consultation. For eligible Medicare cardholders, a NewDoc telehealth consult is bulk billed, with no out-of-pocket cost. Is telehealth free in Australia? covers the eligibility detail.
- The medication. Most contraceptive pills are either subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or available at a competitive private price, usually between $5 and $30 per pack depending on the specific formulation. Your pharmacist can tell you the PBS status and out-of-pocket cost at the time of dispensing.
- If you are not Medicare-eligible. NewDoc's private telehealth fee is capped (up to $69.95 for a standard consult) and is disclosed before you confirm.
When is an in-person appointment needed?
A GP may recommend an in-person visit if:
- You need an IUD or contraceptive implant inserted or removed
- Your history includes clotting disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, or other complex cardiovascular factors
- You have symptoms that need physical examination (for example, unexplained pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding)
- It has been several years since your last blood pressure or cervical screening check
Your GP will say if this applies and help arrange the follow-up.
How to book a telehealth pill appointment
Book at NewDoc bulk billed telehealth. Same-day and next-available appointments are offered seven days a week. The short booking flow checks your Medicare eligibility, and for eligible patients the consultation, the eScript, and any referral or certificate issued during the consult are all included at no cost. For more on the broader contraception picture, see our contraception and birth control online page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the contraceptive pill prescribed online in Australia?
Yes. An Australian GP can prescribe the combined oral contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill via telehealth after a short clinical assessment. The eScript is sent to your phone and can be filled at any pharmacy.
Do I need to see a GP in person to get the pill?
In most cases, no. A telehealth GP can take the history, confirm a current blood pressure reading (via pharmacy, home monitor, or a recent GP visit), and issue the script. If your history includes complex risk factors, an in-person appointment may be recommended.
Is an online contraceptive pill consultation bulk billed?
For eligible Medicare cardholders, NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations with no out-of-pocket cost. The consultation, the eScript, and any referral or certificate issued during the consult are included. Private fees apply if you are not Medicare-eligible.
Can I get a repeat script for the contraceptive pill online?
Yes. If you have been on a particular pill without side effects or new medical issues, a telehealth GP can confirm your current situation and send a repeat eScript to your phone. A repeat script is usually a shorter consultation.
How does my GP decide which pill to prescribe?
Your GP will consider your medical history (including migraines, blood pressure, clotting risk, age, and smoking status), any current medications, whether you can take oestrogen, your preferences, and how you have responded to previous contraceptive methods. The choice is usually between a combined oral contraceptive, a progestogen-only pill, or a non-pill option such as a long-acting reversible method.
Do I need a recent blood pressure reading for a telehealth pill prescription?
Usually yes, before the combined oral contraceptive is prescribed. A free pharmacy reading, a home blood pressure monitor result from the past week or two, or a recent GP measurement are all typically acceptable. The progestogen-only pill does not always require a current reading because it contains no oestrogen.
Can I get the morning-after pill through telehealth?
Standard emergency contraceptive pills in Australia are available over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription, so a telehealth appointment is not required. A telehealth GP can discuss alternatives if the standard pill is not suitable, such as the copper IUD for emergency contraception, which needs in-person insertion.
How much does the contraceptive pill cost at the pharmacy?
Most oral contraceptive pills in Australia cost between $5 and $30 per pack depending on the formulation and whether the product is PBS-subsidised. The pharmacist can tell you the out-of-pocket price before you pay. The NewDoc telehealth consultation itself is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients, so there is no consultation fee.
Can a telehealth GP arrange an IUD or contraceptive implant?
A telehealth GP can discuss long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) options, screen for suitability, and refer you to a trained clinician or sexual health service for insertion. The insertion itself needs to be done in person. Removal also needs to be done in person.
Is it safe to get contraception prescribed via telehealth?
For most people, yes. The clinical assessment is the same as an in-person consultation and follows RACGP contraception guidance. Your GP will screen for factors that would make the pill unsuitable and will refer you for in-person care when that is the clinically appropriate path.
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Last reviewed 25 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.