Yes, an Australian telehealth GP can assess and treat most uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) during a video or phone consultation. After a short clinical history, your GP can send an eScript for antibiotics directly to your phone, arrange a urine test if needed, and advise on follow-up. For eligible Medicare patients the consultation is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. Certain situations still call for an in-person visit, and your GP will tell you if that applies.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary system: the bladder (cystitis), the urethra, or, less commonly, the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Most UTIs are caused by bacteria from the bowel entering the urinary tract. UTIs are among the most common infections in Australia, particularly in women: around half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.
Typical symptoms include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Needing to urinate more often than usual
- Feeling an urgent need to go, even when the bladder is empty
- Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort
- Blood in the urine (see your GP the same day if this happens)
Fever, flank pain, nausea, or chills can indicate a kidney infection, which needs same-day in-person assessment.
How a telehealth GP treats a UTI
During a bulk billed telehealth consultation your GP will:
- Take a structured history: symptoms, duration, any previous UTIs, pregnancy status, current medications, allergies, and any red flags.
- Confirm the likely diagnosis: for straightforward lower-UTI symptoms in otherwise healthy women, clinical history alone is often enough. For men, children, pregnant women, people with recurrent UTIs, or anyone with red-flag symptoms, a urine test is usually needed.
- Arrange testing when indicated: the GP can issue a pathology referral for a midstream urine test (MSU) that you take to any pathology collection centre.
- Send an eScript: where antibiotic treatment is clinically appropriate, the eScript is sent to your phone within minutes. You can fill it at any Australian pharmacy, including home delivery.
- Advise on safety-netting: the GP explains what to watch for, when to re-contact, and when to go to an emergency department.
- Arrange follow-up: a short review consult can be booked if symptoms do not settle within 48 to 72 hours.
Who should be seen in person instead?
Telehealth is not suitable for every UTI presentation. An in-person assessment is recommended when:
- Kidney infection is suspected: fever, back or flank pain, nausea or vomiting, or feeling very unwell
- You are pregnant: UTIs in pregnancy need prompt testing and often targeted treatment
- Men with UTI symptoms typically need examination and testing; UTIs in men are uncommon and may indicate another underlying issue such as a prostate problem or a urinary tract abnormality
- Children under 12 with suspected UTI: paediatric UTIs need in-person assessment
- Recurrent UTIs (three or more in 12 months): a structured in-person workup is usually warranted
- Unexplained blood in urine with no typical UTI symptoms
- Symptoms not improving after a recent course of antibiotics
- People with diabetes, immune suppression, or urinary tract abnormalities where UTIs behave less predictably
Your GP will let you know during the telehealth consult if your situation needs in-person follow-up.
How quickly will I feel better?
Most uncomplicated UTIs start to improve within 24 to 48 hours of starting the right antibiotic. Complete the full course your GP prescribes even if you feel better sooner. If symptoms have not improved within 48 to 72 hours, or they are getting worse, contact your GP or seek in-person care.
In the meantime:
- Drink plenty of water to help flush the urinary tract
- Avoid bladder irritants (alcohol, strong caffeine, highly acidic drinks)
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen (if otherwise safe for you) can help with discomfort
- Urinate when you feel the urge rather than holding on
Does a telehealth UTI consult cost anything?
For eligible Medicare cardholders, a NewDoc telehealth consultation for a UTI is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. The consultation, the eScript, any pathology referral, and any medical certificate issued during the consult are all included. Pharmacy dispensing fees for the medication itself still apply; many UTI antibiotics are PBS-subsidised.
Can I just get antibiotics online without speaking to a GP?
No. In Australia, antibiotics are prescription-only medicines, and an Australian prescriber needs to assess your situation before issuing a script. This is to protect you (ensuring the right treatment for the right infection) and the broader community (reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance). What telehealth offers is a fast, private way to have that clinical assessment without attending a clinic.
For more on telehealth prescribing generally, see our guides on how to get a repeat prescription online and can you get antibiotics online in Australia.
How to book a telehealth UTI appointment
Book at NewDoc bulk billed telehealth. Same-day and next-available appointments are offered seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. For eligible Medicare patients the consultation, the eScript, any pathology referral, and any medical certificate are bulk billed at no cost. For more on the condition itself, see our UTI condition page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a UTI treated via telehealth in Australia?
Yes, for most uncomplicated UTIs in otherwise healthy adults. A telehealth GP takes a focused history, arranges urine testing where needed, and sends an eScript for antibiotics directly to your phone if treatment is clinically appropriate. Certain situations (kidney infection, pregnancy, men, children, recurrent UTIs) need in-person assessment.
Can a telehealth GP prescribe antibiotics for a UTI?
Yes. Where your history fits a typical uncomplicated UTI and antibiotics are clinically appropriate, your GP can send an eScript during or straight after the telehealth consultation. You can fill the script at any Australian pharmacy, including home delivery.
Do I need a urine test before treatment?
Not always. For straightforward lower-UTI symptoms in otherwise healthy women, clinical history alone is often enough to start empirical antibiotic treatment per Australian guidelines. A midstream urine test (MSU) is usually recommended for men, children, pregnant women, recurrent UTIs, complicated cases, or when the initial treatment does not work. Your GP can issue a pathology referral during the telehealth consult.
Is a telehealth UTI consultation bulk billed?
For eligible Medicare cardholders, yes. NewDoc bulk bills the consultation, the eScript, any pathology referral, and any medical certificate issued during the same appointment. Pharmacy dispensing fees for the medication itself are separate; many UTI antibiotics are PBS-subsidised.
How quickly will I get better on antibiotics?
Most uncomplicated UTIs start to improve within 24 to 48 hours of starting the right antibiotic. Complete the full course your GP prescribes even if you feel better sooner. If symptoms have not improved within 48 to 72 hours, or are getting worse, contact your GP or seek in-person care.
When should I seek urgent care for a UTI?
Go to your nearest emergency department or call 000 if you have fever, shaking chills, severe back or flank pain, nausea or vomiting, or feel very unwell. These can indicate a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), which needs prompt in-person assessment and sometimes hospital treatment.
Can men get UTIs treated via telehealth?
UTIs in men are uncommon and may indicate another underlying issue such as a prostate problem or a urinary tract abnormality. Your telehealth GP can start an assessment and arrange testing, but an in-person GP visit is usually needed to complete the workup and any required physical examination.
Can I get a UTI treated via telehealth during pregnancy?
UTIs in pregnancy need prompt urine testing and targeted antibiotic treatment to reduce the risk of complications. Your telehealth GP can take an initial history and arrange urgent urine testing, but will usually ask you to see your regular GP, obstetric team, or an in-person GP as soon as possible for the follow-through.
Can I get a medical certificate for a UTI?
Yes. If you are too unwell to attend work or study, your telehealth GP can issue a medical certificate during the same consultation. The certificate is emailed to you as a PDF and is included in the bulk billed consult for eligible Medicare patients.
What if I keep getting UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs (three or more in 12 months) warrant a structured workup to look for contributing factors, typically through an in-person GP or a referral to a urologist. Your telehealth GP can start the conversation, arrange initial testing, and refer you to a specialist where appropriate.
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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.