NewDocLog in

Can a telehealth GP prescribe antibiotics?

Yes, where clinically appropriate. Here's how telehealth antibiotic prescribing actually works in Australia, and when antibiotics are (and aren't) the right treatment.

Can a telehealth GP prescribe antibiotics?

Yes, where clinically appropriate. AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can prescribe antibiotics during a telehealth consultation. The same prescribing rules, antibiotic stewardship principles, and Therapeutic Guidelines apply as for an in-person consultation.

The decision is the GP's, not the patient's. Most common upper-respiratory infections (cold, flu, most sore throats, most bronchitis) are viral and won't be helped by antibiotics. UTIs, bacterial conjunctivitis, dental abscess holding treatment, and confirmed bacterial sinusitis are common situations where telehealth-prescribed antibiotics are appropriate.

Quick answer: who can prescribe, when, and at what cost

Yes. An AHPRA-registered Australian GP can prescribe antibiotics during a telehealth consultation, when clinically appropriate. Antibiotics are Schedule 4 medicines under the TGA Poisons Standard (SUSMP): only a registered medical practitioner can prescribe them, and the same Australian Therapeutic Guidelines (Antibiotic) apply whether the consult is in-clinic or by video/phone. Most upper-respiratory infections (cold, flu, most sore throats) are viral and won't be helped by antibiotics; UTI, bacterial conjunctivitis, dental abscess holding treatment, and confirmed bacterial sinusitis are common situations where antibiotics are appropriate. For eligible Medicare cardholders the consult is $0 out-of-pocket (bulk-billed) with an eScript to your phone within minutes; most NewDoc consults are completed the same waking day they're booked (median 5.0 hours booking-to-consult, per NewDoc April 2026 utilisation data).

Yes: antibiotics can be prescribed by telehealth

There is no separate “telehealth-only” rule that prevents a GP from prescribing antibiotics. The same AHPRA registration, the same Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, and the same PBS authority rules apply in a video or phone consultation as in a face-to-face consultation. What matters is whether the clinical picture supports antibiotic treatment: that's the GP's call.

The clinical bar matters because Australia is a high-prescribing country. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's AURA program recorded 23.2 million antibiotic prescriptions supplied under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2024 (a 4.8% rise on 2023), with 37.1% of Australians dispensed at least one antibiotic that year and around 30% of patients in general practice prescribed an antibacterial. A 2024 Australian Prescriber review by Turnidge and colleagues observed that the steep drop in antimicrobial use during the COVID-19 pandemic suggests how often systemic antibacterials have been prescribed for viral respiratory infections in Australia.

That is the backdrop a NewDoc GP works against. Antibiotic stewardship (prescribing only when bacterial infection is likely and the benefit outweighs the harm) is the same professional standard whether the consultation is in person or by video.

When antibiotics are usually the right answer

Antibiotics are usually appropriate where the clinical picture points to a bacterial infection, and a focused telehealth history is enough to assess most common situations. Examples where antibiotic treatment is typically appropriate and where telehealth is suitable for the assessment:

  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in adult women with typical symptoms
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis with thick yellow-green discharge
  • Bacterial sinusitis with persistent symptoms over 10 days or a double-worsening pattern
  • Some sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhoea after testing)
  • Cellulitis and some other bacterial skin infections (mild-to-moderate, no systemic features)
  • Dental abscess as a holding treatment while you arrange dental care
  • Confirmed strep throat (where rapid antigen or culture is positive)

In each case the GP takes a focused history, assesses red flags, and where appropriate issues an eScript directly to your phone.

When antibiotics are usually the wrong answer

The common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and most cases of acute bronchitis and most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't shorten viral illness, don't prevent complications in otherwise well people, and contribute to antibiotic resistance. National antibiotic-stewardship guidance (including Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic and NPS MedicineWise stewardship resources) directs GPs to avoid antibiotics in viral illness.

This is the same in-person or by telehealth. A GP who declines to prescribe antibiotics for a viral illness is following Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, not being unhelpful. If your symptoms persist beyond the expected viral illness course or worsen after initial improvement, a follow-up consultation re-assesses the picture.

When telehealth isn't enough to assess the infection

Some infections need a hands-on examination or bedside testing to treat safely. Examples include suspected pneumonia (needs chest auscultation, often a chest X-ray), suspected appendicitis or other surgical abdominal infections, severe cellulitis with systemic features, suspected meningitis (severe headache + fever + neck stiffness), and any infection with sepsis features (high fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, very unwell). Your telehealth GP will direct you to a clinic or ED for any of these.

How the prescription reaches your pharmacy

If antibiotics are prescribed, the eScript is sent to your phone via SMS within minutes of the consultation ending. You can take it to any Australian pharmacy, including online pharmacy delivery services for same-day or next-day dispatch. Most antibiotics are PBS-subsidised: the patient co-payment is typically up to $42.50 for general patients and $7.70 for concession-card holders.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 16 May 2026. Editorial policy

Ready to see a GP?

Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult in under 2 minutes: $0 with Medicare if eligible.

Or call 0489 266 825

Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth doctor really prescribe antibiotics?

Yes, where clinically appropriate. AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can prescribe antibiotics during a telehealth consultation if the GP's clinical assessment supports antibiotic treatment. The same prescribing rules and antibiotic stewardship guidance apply as for an in-person consultation.

Will I be given antibiotics if I ask?

No. The GP makes the decision based on the clinical picture, not on patient request. Most upper-respiratory infections, including the common cold, sore throat, and most cases of sinusitis or bronchitis, are viral and antibiotics don't help. The GP's job is to assess whether antibiotics are likely to help, not to dispense them on request.

Which infections can be treated with telehealth-prescribed antibiotics?

Common conditions where antibiotic treatment may be prescribed by telehealth include uncomplicated urinary tract infections, bacterial conjunctivitis, some bacterial skin infections, dental abscess as a holding treatment, mild-to-moderate community-acquired bacterial sinusitis after 10+ days of persistent symptoms, and some sexually transmitted infections. In each case the GP makes the clinical assessment.

Why won't a telehealth GP just prescribe antibiotics for my cold?

Because antibiotics don't work on viruses, and inappropriate antibiotic use accelerates antibiotic resistance, a serious public-health concern. Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and antibiotic stewardship principles direct GPs to avoid antibiotics for viral illness regardless of patient pressure. This is the same in-person or by telehealth.

What if I really do need antibiotics? Will the GP miss it?

Telehealth GPs are trained to recognise red flags that warrant in-person review or escalation to hospital: severe systemic illness, neck stiffness with fever, suspected bacterial pneumonia, sepsis signs. If the GP suspects a serious bacterial infection that needs hands-on assessment, they'll tell you to attend a clinic or ED immediately rather than just prescribing.

How does the antibiotic prescription get to my pharmacy?

If antibiotics are prescribed, the eScript is sent to your phone via SMS within minutes of the consultation ending. You can fill it at any Australian pharmacy, or use a pharmacy delivery service for same-day or next-day home delivery. Most antibiotics are PBS-subsidised so the out-of-pocket cost is usually $7.70 (concession) to $42.50 (general).

Are there antibiotics a telehealth GP can't prescribe?

Some antibiotics with restricted indications (e.g. some IV antibiotics, certain antibiotics needing specialist initiation) are not typically prescribed in a routine GP setting, telehealth or in-person. A few antibiotics require an Authority prescription which can be requested by the GP during the consultation.

Other services