Telehealth has become a permanent part of Australia's healthcare system, but many people are still unsure what a GP can actually do during a video or phone consultation. The short answer: most of what they do in person.
What is a telehealth consultation?
A telehealth consultation is a medical appointment conducted remotely, via video call or phone, with a registered doctor. In Australia, telehealth consultations are covered under Medicare and can be bulk billed for eligible patients, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost.
The consultation is conducted by the same type of doctor you would see in a clinic, an AHPRA-registered General Practitioner. The clinical standard is the same. The only difference is that the appointment happens remotely.
What can a telehealth GP help with?
Prescriptions and repeat scripts
One of the most common reasons people use telehealth is to get a prescription. Your GP can issue new prescriptions or renew existing ones for most medications, including treatments for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, contraception, skin conditions, mental health, allergies, and infections.
Prescriptions are sent as eScripts directly to your phone via SMS. You can present the eScript at any pharmacy in Australia or use it for home delivery.
There are some medications that cannot be prescribed via telehealth, including Schedule 8 controlled substances (such as oxycodone and dexamphetamine) and Schedule 4D restricted substances (such as benzodiazepines). These require an in-person consultation.
Medical certificates
If you are unwell and need a medical certificate for work, university, or Centrelink, your GP can issue one during a telehealth consultation. The certificate is emailed to you and has the same legal validity as one issued in person. If your illness started before you could see a doctor, our guide on whether a medical certificate can be backdated in Australia explains the rules GPs follow.
A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is a standard form of evidence under the Fair Work 'reasonable person' test, and that applies whether the consultation was conducted in person or via telehealth. If you need a sick certificate online at short notice, a telehealth consultation is usually the quickest way to arrange one.
Specialist referrals
Your GP can refer you to a specialist during a telehealth appointment. This includes referrals to:
- Dermatologists
- Psychiatrists
- Cardiologists
- Endocrinologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Orthopaedic surgeons
- ENT specialists
- Gynaecologists
- Any other medical specialist
The referral is sent electronically and is valid for 12 months from your first appointment with the specialist, unless your GP specifies a longer or indefinite period. (Referrals written by one specialist to another last 3 months.)
Pathology and imaging referrals
Need a blood test, urine test, or imaging scan? Your GP can order these during a telehealth consultation. You will receive the referral electronically and can take it to any pathology collection centre or imaging provider.
Common pathology requests include:
- Full blood count
- Iron studies
- Thyroid function
- Liver and kidney function
- Cholesterol and lipids
- HbA1c (diabetes monitoring)
- STI screening
- Vitamin D and B12 levels
Common imaging requests include X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI referrals.
Mental health support
Telehealth GPs can assess and manage mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and burnout. They can:
- Prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (giving you access to Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions)
- Prescribe or adjust mental health medication (see repeat prescriptions)
- Refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counsellor (see specialist referrals)
- Assess mental health concerns and help develop a safety plan. For an acute mental health crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 rather than waiting for a telehealth appointment.
Telehealth suits many mental health consultations because you can attend from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Sexual health
Sexual health consultations are well suited to telehealth because they primarily involve a clinical history rather than a physical examination. Your GP can:
- Order STI screening (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis)
- Prescribe treatment for diagnosed STIs
- Prescribe contraception (the pill, mini-pill, emergency contraception)
- Discuss sexual health concerns in a confidential setting
Urinary tract infections are another condition commonly assessed remotely; see UTI treatment via telehealth for how the process works in Australia.
Ongoing condition management
If you have a chronic condition, telehealth is an efficient way to manage routine check-ins. Your GP can review your symptoms, adjust medications, order monitoring blood tests, and update your management plan, all without you needing to take time off work or travel to a clinic.
What can a telehealth GP NOT do?
There are some things that require an in-person visit:
- Physical examinations: listening to your chest, checking your blood pressure, examining a lump or rash that needs hands-on assessment
- Procedures: wound stitching, mole checks, skin biopsies, injections, vaccinations
- Schedule 8 prescriptions: controlled substances like opioids and stimulants
- WorkCover or insurance-related examinations: where a physical examination is required by the insurer
- Emergencies: if you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or other emergency symptoms, call 000
If your GP determines during a telehealth consultation that you need an in-person assessment, they will let you know and advise on next steps.
How to book a telehealth appointment
Visit NewDoc to book a telehealth consultation with an AHPRA-registered GP. Consultations are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders, with same-day appointments available seven days a week. If you are weighing up telehealth providers, how NewDoc compares with other online doctors covers the key differences.
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.