Yes, telehealth is bulk billed in Australia when three things line up: you are enrolled in Medicare, the consultation qualifies for a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth item (eligibility is checked when you book), and the provider chooses to bulk bill. Medicare has funded telehealth as an ongoing part of the MBS since January 2022, yet most private telehealth platforms still charge a private fee. NewDoc bulk bills every consultation for eligible Medicare cardholders, $0 out of pocket.
Telehealth consultations can be bulk billed in Australia, but most private telehealth providers do not offer it. If you want a telehealth appointment with no out-of-pocket cost, you need to know which providers bulk bill and what is included.
What does bulk billing mean?
Bulk billing is a billing arrangement where a doctor bills Medicare directly for the full cost of your consultation and, in Services Australia's words, accepts "the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service". You do not pay anything. There is no gap fee, no out-of-pocket cost, and no claim to submit.
For a consultation to be bulk billed, two things need to be true:
- The patient holds a valid Medicare card
- The doctor or practice agrees to accept the Medicare rebate as full payment
For a telehealth consultation specifically, one more thing must also be true: the consult has to qualify for an MBS telehealth item. Providers check this when you book; at NewDoc it is assessed automatically from your Medicare details and location.
Not all doctors bulk bill. It is a choice made by each practice. The same applies to telehealth providers.
Which telehealth providers bulk bill?
Most private telehealth platforms in Australia charge a fee per consultation, typically between $30 and $70. Some charge additional fees on top for medical certificates, prescriptions, or referrals.
A few providers offer limited bulk billing:
- Some bulk bill after-hours consultations only (not during business hours)
- Some bulk bill mental health consultations only
- Some offer bulk billing for select patient groups such as concession card holders
- Some do not bulk bill at all
At NewDoc, telehealth consultations are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders regardless of the time of day, the type of consultation, or whether you hold a concession card. Eligibility depends on your Medicare status and where you are located in Australia. If you have a valid Medicare card and meet the eligibility criteria, your consultation is $0.
As at July 2026, NewDoc is the only Australian online GP service in our online doctor comparison that bulk bills every consultation for eligible Medicare cardholders while using FRACGP-qualified GPs exclusively.
What is included in a bulk billed telehealth consult?
When your consultation is bulk billed, everything your GP provides during that appointment is included at no extra cost. At NewDoc, this means:
- Prescriptions and repeat scripts: sent as eScripts to your phone
- Medical certificates: for work, school, or carer's leave
- Specialist referrals: to dermatologists, psychiatrists, ENT specialists, and more
- Pathology referrals: for blood tests, thyroid function, iron studies, and more
- Imaging referrals: for X-rays, ultrasounds, and scans
- Mental Health Treatment Plans: giving you access to Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions
There are no add-on fees. Some other telehealth providers charge separately for medical certificates ($15–$25) or prescriptions ($19–$50) on top of the consultation fee. With bulk billed telehealth, you should not be paying anything extra.
Common misconceptions about bulk billed telehealth
"Bulk billed means lower quality care." This is not true. Bulk billing is a billing arrangement, not a measure of clinical quality. At NewDoc, all consultations are conducted by Australian-trained GPs. The clinical standard is the same regardless of how the consultation is billed.
"You can only get bulk billed telehealth after hours." Some providers restrict bulk billing to after-hours appointments, but this is not a Medicare requirement. It depends on the provider's policy. NewDoc bulk bills eligible patients at any time of day.
"Telehealth consultations are too short to be useful." A standard telehealth consultation covers the same scope as an in-person visit. Your GP can issue prescriptions, certificates, referrals, and pathology requests in a single appointment.
"You need a concession card to be bulk billed." Eligibility requirements vary by provider. At NewDoc, you do not need a concession card. You need a valid Medicare card and to meet the eligibility criteria.
How to check your eligibility
The simplest way to check if you are eligible for bulk billed telehealth is to start the booking process. At NewDoc, your eligibility is assessed automatically based on your Medicare details and location. If you are eligible, the consultation is confirmed at $0. If you are not eligible for bulk billing, you will be informed of the private consultation fee ($69.95) before confirming your appointment.
How to get started
Visit NewDoc to book a bulk billed telehealth consultation. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week, and eligible Medicare patients pay nothing. All consultations are with Australian-trained GPs.
References
- Services Australia, Bulk billing
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Telehealth
Frequently asked questions
Is telehealth bulk billed in Australia?
It can be, when three things line up: you are enrolled in Medicare, the consultation qualifies for a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth item, and the provider chooses to bulk bill. Medicare has funded telehealth as an ongoing part of the MBS since January 2022, but most private telehealth platforms charge their own fee instead. NewDoc bulk bills every consultation for eligible Medicare cardholders, $0 out of pocket.
Do you need a concession card to get bulk billed telehealth?
No. Concession requirements are provider policies, not Medicare rules. Some platforms restrict bulk billing to concession card holders; at NewDoc you need a valid Medicare card and to meet the eligibility criteria, no concession card required.
What does a bulk billed telehealth consultation include?
Everything the GP provides within the consultation. At NewDoc that means prescriptions sent as eScripts, medical certificates, specialist referrals, and pathology or imaging requests, with no add-on fees when you are eligible for bulk billing.
If Medicare covers telehealth, why do many services still charge?
Because bulk billing is always the provider's choice. A provider can accept the Medicare benefit as full payment (bulk billing) or set their own private fee. Most private telehealth platforms choose the private fee, typically somewhere between $30 and $70 per consultation.
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Last reviewed 2 July 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.