What's the difference between NewDoc and InstantConsult?
NewDoc bulk-bills every consultation it offers at $0 for eligible Medicare cardholders, with the eScript and any same-visit referral or certificate included. InstantConsult charges a $45 general consultation and operates 6 am to midnight AEST, 7 days; its bulk billing is stated only for patients under 12 months of age.
Both services use AHPRA-registered doctors. NewDoc states it uses FRACGP-qualified Australian-trained general practitioners only. InstantConsult describes itself as doctor-led and does not mention nurse practitioners.
NewDoc vs InstantConsult at a glance
NewDoc and InstantConsult are both Australian online doctor services that run on different commercial models. InstantConsult charges a single $45 general consultation and operates a wide daily window of 6 am to midnight AEST, 7 days a week. Per-product prices for prescriptions, certificates, and referrals are not separately itemised on the page sampled at the verification date.
NewDoc operates a Medicare-billed bulk-billed consultation that includes the eScript and any same-visit document at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible cardholders.
The table below compares the two on the dimensions that drive what you actually pay and what you get. Comparison data verified as at 9 May 2026.
| Dimension | NewDoc | InstantConsult |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Bulk-billed Medicare consult | Per-consult fee |
| Lowest listed price | $0 (Medicare) | $45 (general consultation) |
| Bulk-billed? | Yes | Patients under 12 months only |
| Doctor type | FRACGP-qualified GPs only | AHPRA-registered Australian doctors |
| Same-day availability | Yes | Yes |
| Mental health care plan | Yes (bulk-billed) | Not publicly listed |
| Referrals | Yes (included in consult) | Specialist, pathology, and imaging referrals offered; per-item prices not publicly listed |
Comparison data verified as at 9 May 2026. Values reflect each provider's lowest publicly listed pricing or stated feature on their own website. Prices and features change — check InstantConsult directly for current information before booking. "Bulk-billed" = no out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare cardholders.
When NewDoc fits
NewDoc's bulk-billed model is structurally cheaper for any Medicare-eligible patient, and multi-document or multi-visit scenarios widen the gap. Choose NewDoc if any of the following apply:
- You are eligible for Medicare and want $0 out-of-pocket for the consultation and any documents issued.
- You want a FRACGP-qualified Australian-trained general practitioner specifically.
- You need ongoing chronic-condition care and want every review consultation, pathology order, and script repeat bulk-billed.
- You want a Mental Health Treatment Plan included in the bulk-billed consultation.
- You want a single visit to cover multiple needs without a consultation fee applying each time.
When InstantConsult might fit
InstantConsult is an established doctor-led service and may suit some specific situations:
- You need care very early in the morning or late at night, inside its 6 am to midnight window but outside NewDoc's usual hours.
- You are not Medicare-eligible and prefer a single, transparent $45 consultation fee to compare against.
- You specifically want a doctor-led service that does not use nurse practitioners, which InstantConsult states on its site.
Worked example: a year of GP consultations
Consider a Medicare-eligible patient who needs four GP consultations across a year. Comparing on the publicly listed prices as at 9 May 2026:
- NewDoc: $0 for the year, because each consultation is bulk-billed and any eScript or referral is included.
- InstantConsult: 4 consultations at $45 each is $180 for the year on the publicly listed consultation fee, before any per-product charges.
For a one-off need in the early morning the wider InstantConsult window can be the deciding factor on convenience. Within NewDoc's operating hours, the consultation and anything issued during it are $0 for eligible Medicare cardholders.
Verify both before booking
Pricing and features change. Every claim above was verified against each provider's public website as at 9 May 2026. Before you book, confirm current pricing on NewDoc's pricing page and check InstantConsult's own site directly. For a wider comparison across all major Australian online doctor services, see our hub comparison.
Last reviewed 10 May 2026. Editorial policy