What's the difference between NewDoc and 13SICK?
Both can bulk-bill eligible Medicare patients, but on different terms. If you're eligible, NewDoc bulk-bills every consultation. 13SICK bulk-bills telehealth only after hours, and only if you also meet one of its eligibility criteria (a recent visit to a 13SICK-serviced clinic, an urgent problem, ATSI background, homelessness, or a sexual/mental health or COVID booking). NewDoc is telehealth only, available across Australia generally 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week. 13SICK is an after-hours service offering home visits and telehealth within its coverage area in major cities.
The choice usually comes down to the hour and the place. NewDoc covers daytime and evening telehealth anywhere in Australia. 13SICK is for the times you need a doctor to come to your home after hours.
NewDoc vs 13SICK at a glance
NewDoc and 13SICK can both bulk-bill eligible Medicare patients, but on different terms. If you're eligible, NewDoc bulk-bills every consultation. 13SICK bulk-bills telehealth only after hours, and only if you also meet one of its eligibility criteria (see the FAQs below). Beyond billing, the two suit different moments. NewDoc is an all-day telehealth service you can use from anywhere in Australia. 13SICK is an after-hours service that can send a doctor to your home or consult by telehealth, within its coverage area, during evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
The table below sets out the differences that matter when you're choosing. Comparison data verified as at 8 August 2026.
NewDoc bulk-bills all eligible Medicare cardholders, all day across Australia. 13SICK bulk-bills telehealth only after hours and only for patients who meet its eligibility criteria, and offers home visits and telehealth within its coverage area.
| Dimension | NewDoc | 13SICK (National Home Doctor) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Bulk-billed Medicare consult | Bulk-billed after-hours service (home visits and telehealth) |
| Lowest listed price | $0 (Medicare) | $0 (bulk billed after-hours; 13SICK eligibility criteria apply) |
| Bulk-billed? | Yes | After-hours, and only for Medicare patients who also meet 13SICK's criteria (eg. a recent visit to a 13SICK-serviced clinic, an urgent problem, ATSI background, homelessness, or a sexual/mental health or COVID booking) |
| Doctor type | Fellowship-qualified specialist GPs only | Registered Australian doctors (GP/FRACGP status not publicly specified) |
| Same-day availability | Yes | Yes (after-hours only) |
| Mental health care plan | No (from 1 Nov 2025 Medicare requires plans from your MyMedicare practice or usual GP; NewDoc GPs can still do mental health consults and psychiatrist referrals) | Not publicly listed |
| Referrals | Yes (included in consult) | Urgent referrals offered within the consult |
Comparison data verified as at 8 August 2026. Values reflect each provider's lowest publicly listed pricing or stated feature on their own website. Prices and features change. Check 13SICK (National Home Doctor) directly for current information before booking. "Bulk-billed" = no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare cardholders.
When NewDoc fits
NewDoc suits any visit that doesn't need a doctor physically at your home. It's the better fit if:
- You need a daytime or evening appointment. NewDoc is generally open 8 am to midnight, including the standard weekday hours that 13SICK's after-hours model doesn't cover.
- You want telehealth from anywhere in Australia, not a service tied to a home-visit coverage area.
- You want a fellowship-qualified, Australian-trained GP on the call, every time.
- You need a script, certificate, or referral. These can all be handled by video or phone and sent to you electronically.
- You're managing something ongoing and want every review visit bulk billed during the day.
When 13SICK might fit
13SICK fills a genuinely different need. It's the sensible choice when:
- You need a doctor to physically come to your home after hours. That's something no telehealth service can do.
- Your need comes up after hours, on a weeknight, weekend, or public holiday, and you're within 13SICK's coverage area.
- You'd rather be examined in person at home than talk over video or phone.
You don't have to pick just one. NewDoc can cover daytime and evening telehealth, with an after-hours home-visit service such as 13SICK for the times a doctor needs to come to you. And for genuine emergencies, don't book either service: call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Verify both before booking
Hours, coverage, and features change, so treat this page as a snapshot. Every claim above was checked against each provider's public website as at 8 August 2026. Before you book, confirm current details on NewDoc's pricing page and check 13SICK's own site directly, including whether your address is within their coverage area. For a wider comparison across all major Australian online doctor services, see our hub comparison.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026. Editorial policy