What's the difference between NewDoc and HealthEngine?
They do two different jobs. NewDoc is a telehealth GP service: you book and see a fellowship-qualified GP by phone or video, and your consultation is bulk billed at $0 if you're an eligible Medicare cardholder. HealthEngine is a booking platform: you use it to find and book appointments at independent clinics, and you pay whatever the clinic you choose charges.
So it depends what you're after. NewDoc gives you a $0 bulk-billed telehealth visit without shopping around. Use HealthEngine when you want to search, compare, and book a particular clinic, in person or by telehealth.
NewDoc vs HealthEngine at a glance
These two aren't really rivals, so it helps to be clear about what each one is. NewDoc is the doctor: it works with fellowship-qualified GPs and bulk-bills the telehealth consultations it offers. HealthEngine is the directory: it doesn't employ doctors or set fees, it lists independent clinics so you can find and book one. That means your cost, your billing, and whether the visit is bulk billed all come down to the clinic you pick, not to HealthEngine.
Here's how the two compare, checked as at 8 August 2026.
NewDoc is a direct telehealth service that bulk-bills the consultation at $0 for eligible Medicare cardholders with fellowship-qualified GPs. HealthEngine is a free booking platform for finding and booking appointments at independent clinics, where the cost and whether the visit is bulk-billed depend on the clinic you choose.
| Dimension | NewDoc | HealthEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Bulk-billed Medicare consult | Free booking platform (you pay the clinic, not HealthEngine) |
| Lowest listed price | $0 (Medicare) | Free to search and book; you pay the booked clinic's fee |
| Bulk-billed? | Yes | Depends on the clinic; HealthEngine offers a bulk billing filter |
| Doctor type | Fellowship-qualified specialist GPs only | Independent clinics (nearly 30,000 practitioners across 10,000+ practices) |
| Same-day availability | Yes | Depends on clinic availability (same-day and after-hours filters offered) |
| 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) | Depends on the clinic |
| Referrals | Yes (included in consult) | Depends on the clinic |
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 HealthEngine directly for current information before booking. "Bulk-billed" = no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare cardholders.
When NewDoc fits
NewDoc suits you when you'd rather have it handled than go looking for a clinic. It's the better fit if:
- You want to know the price up front: $0 bulk billed if you're Medicare eligible, rather than a cost that changes clinic to clinic.
- You want a fellowship-qualified, Australian-trained GP on the call, guaranteed.
- You want to speak to a GP now and have your script, certificate, or referral sent to you, without comparing practices first.
- You'd rather not search and filter your way to a clinic that bulk-bills and has an opening.
When HealthEngine might fit
HealthEngine is built for a different job, and it does it well. Use it if:
- You want to find a specific local clinic or see a particular practitioner.
- You need to be seen in person, which a telehealth-only service like NewDoc cannot do.
- You're booking something outside general practice, like dental, physio, or an in-person specialist.
- You want to weigh up a few clinics on location and availability first.
Plenty of people use both: NewDoc when you need a GP today, HealthEngine when you need a particular in-person or non-GP appointment. One important exception: in a genuine emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department rather than booking either.
Verify both before booking
Models and prices change, so don't just take our word for it. Every claim above was checked against each provider's public information as at 8 August 2026. Before you book, confirm current details on NewDoc's pricing page and check HealthEngine's own site, including each clinic's own fees and billing. For a wider comparison across all major Australian online doctor services, see our hub comparison.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026. Editorial policy