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 25 June 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 25 June 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 25 June 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 25 June 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 25 June 2026. Editorial policy