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Free anxiety treatment online — if Medicare eligible

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons Australians see a GP. Free if you're eligible for Medicare bulk-billing — a NewDoc GP can take a history, discuss treatment options, and arrange a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-rebated psychology sessions.

Can a telehealth GP help with anxiety?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can assess anxiety by video or phone, prescribe first-line medication (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) where clinically appropriate, and create a Mental Health Treatment Plan that gives you up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year. Psychologist or psychiatrist referrals can be issued in the same consultation.

The consultation, eScript, MHTP, and referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders. Schedule 8 and Schedule 4D controlled medications (such as benzodiazepines) and acute crisis care are not suitable for telehealth and need in-person review.

What is anxiety?

Per Healthdirect Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in Australia, affecting over two million people each year and around one in four adults at some point in their lifetime. Onset is most often in adolescence or early adulthood, and women are diagnosed roughly twice as often as men. It involves persistent feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease that can interfere with daily life. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time; clinical anxiety disorders involve symptoms that are out of proportion to the situation, difficult to control, and affect work, study, relationships, or daily function.

Anxiety is highly treatable. With the right combination of psychological therapy, medication where appropriate, and lifestyle support, many people achieve meaningful improvement. A bulk billed telehealth consultation is often the fastest and most accessible first step.

Symptoms of anxiety

Symptoms are usually a mix of mental and physical features. Common features include:

  • Persistent worry or racing thoughts that are hard to switch off
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
  • Muscle tension, tight jaw, or headache
  • Sleep disturbances (trouble falling asleep, waking at night, or unrefreshing sleep)
  • Racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or trembling during episodes
  • Avoiding situations, places, or people that trigger worry
  • Irritability and fatigue

Patterns differ between disorders (generalised anxiety vs social anxiety vs panic disorder, for example). Your GP will help identify the likely pattern and tailor treatment.

When to see a doctor about anxiety

Book a GP (in person or via bulk billed telehealth) if any of the following apply:

  • Anxiety is affecting your ability to work, study, or maintain relationships
  • You are avoiding situations or activities due to worry
  • You are having frequent panic attacks or episodes of sudden intense fear
  • You are using alcohol or other substances to cope with symptoms
  • Your sleep, appetite, or energy are significantly affected
  • Symptoms have persisted for weeks and are getting worse rather than better

Get urgent help now if you are:

  • Having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  • Unable to keep yourself safe
  • In an acute panic attack with severe chest pain or loss of consciousness (call 000)

Crisis lines: Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 13YARN 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (5 to 25 year olds). Telehealth is not for acute crisis.

How a telehealth GP can help with anxiety

Anxiety assessment is built on conversation, which makes telehealth well suited. During the consult, your GP can:

  • Take a structured mental health history and screen for co-occurring conditions
  • Create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year
  • Refer you to a psychologist (typically first-line for mild to moderate anxiety) or a psychiatrist for complex cases
  • Send an eScript for first-line anxiety medication (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) where clinically appropriate
  • Issue a medical certificate if anxiety is affecting work or study
  • Screen for contributing physical causes (thyroid function, anaemia, medications)
  • Schedule follow-up to review progress and adjust the plan

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation and everything issued during it are bulk billed. Note that benzodiazepines and similar restricted substances typically require an in-person appointment rather than telehealth.

Common types of anxiety disorder

  • Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): persistent, broad worry on most days for 6 months or more
  • Social anxiety disorder: fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or judgment in social or performance settings
  • Panic disorder: recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having another
  • Specific phobia: strong fear of a specific object or situation (heights, flying, needles)
  • Agoraphobia: fear of places or situations where escape would be difficult
  • Health anxiety: persistent preoccupation with having a serious illness

Patterns can overlap, and anxiety often co-occurs with depression, insomnia, or chronic pain.

Risk factors for anxiety

  • Family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
  • Trauma, grief, or adverse childhood experiences
  • Major life changes (relationships, finances, housing, health)
  • Personality traits such as perfectionism or low tolerance of uncertainty
  • Coexisting depression, chronic pain, or substance use
  • Excessive caffeine or alcohol
  • Some medical conditions (for example thyroid dysfunction)
  • Some medications (stimulants, steroids, some asthma treatments)

Your GP will screen for physical contributors and assess the balance of factors that fit your situation.

Anxiety medications in Australia: SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, propranolol

The Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommend a stepped-care approach for anxiety, with psychological therapy (CBT) as first-line for mild-to-moderate cases and medication added or as alternative for moderate-to-severe cases. The main medication options are:

  • Sertraline 25–200 mg daily (SSRI) — first-line for generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and OCD-spectrum conditions. Start low (25–50 mg) and titrate gradually.
  • Escitalopram 5–20 mg daily (SSRI) — equally appropriate first-line. Some patients tolerate this better than sertraline.
  • Venlafaxine 75–225 mg daily (SNRI, XR formulation) — useful where SSRI is inadequate or with comorbid depression. Blood pressure monitoring recommended at higher doses.
  • Duloxetine 30–60 mg daily (SNRI) — useful for generalised anxiety with comorbid chronic pain.
  • Buspirone 15–60 mg daily — non-sedating, non-dependency anxiolytic alternative for generalised anxiety. Takes 2–4 weeks for full effect.
  • Propranolol 10–40 mg PRN — short-acting beta-blocker for performance or situational anxiety (public speaking, exams, performance). Not used for generalised anxiety.

SSRIs and SNRIs typically take 2–6 weeks to reach full effect, with side effects often more noticeable in the first 1–2 weeks. Your GP will schedule follow-up to review response and adjust dose.

Benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam, oxazepam, temazepam) are Schedule 4D restricted substances. They are not recommended first-line for anxiety because of dependency risk and require in-person GP review under current AHPRA telehealth guidance.

Treatment options for anxiety

  • Psychological therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is first-line for most anxiety disorders. Exposure-based therapy is particularly effective for phobias and panic. Accessible via a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a psychologist referral.
  • Medication. See the medications section above for the SSRI / SNRI / buspirone / propranolol options. Your GP will discuss risks, benefits, and what to expect.
  • Lifestyle support. Regular physical activity, good sleep, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and mindfulness or breathing practices all help.
  • Treating coexisting conditions. Sleep problems, depression, and chronic pain often need to be treated alongside anxiety.
  • Specialist input. A psychiatrist may be helpful for treatment-resistant or complex presentations, or when medication optimisation requires specialist guidance.

A combined approach usually works best. Your GP will help you decide where to start and how to sequence treatment.

Day-to-day tips for managing anxiety

  • Practise slow, controlled breathing (for example box breathing) when anxious
  • Move regularly: walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling all support mental wellbeing
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule and limit screens before bed
  • Reduce caffeine and alcohol, both of which can worsen anxiety
  • Use a brief worry-journaling exercise to externalise and process thoughts
  • Stay socially connected even when it feels easier to withdraw
  • Limit doom-scrolling and news consumption if it worsens your symptoms
  • Practise self-compassion: progress is rarely linear and set-backs are a normal part of recovery

These strategies are supports, not substitutes for professional care. Your GP or psychologist can help tailor a plan to your situation.

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 12 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP prescribe medication for anxiety?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP can prescribe first-line anxiety medication (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) during a telehealth consultation where clinically appropriate. The eScript is sent to your phone within minutes. Note that some restricted substances such as benzodiazepines typically require an in-person appointment rather than telehealth.

Can I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan via telehealth?

Yes. Your GP can create a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) during a telehealth consultation. An MHTP provides access to up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist of your choice.

What is the difference between anxiety and a panic attack?

Anxiety is a persistent pattern of worry, nervousness, or unease that may ebb and flow over days, weeks, or longer. A panic attack is a sudden, intense episode of fear that peaks within minutes and often includes physical symptoms such as racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. The two can occur together; panic disorder is repeated, unexpected panic attacks.

How do you know if you have anxiety or just normal stress?

Stress is usually tied to a specific situation (a deadline, exam, conflict) and resolves once that situation passes. Clinical anxiety, by contrast, is persistent (typically present on more days than not for at least several weeks), feels out of proportion to actual circumstances, is difficult to switch off or control, and starts to affect work, study, sleep, relationships, or daily function. Healthdirect Australia and Beyond Blue describe this distinction, and Australian GPs use brief structured screeners such as the GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) and the K10 (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) to quantify symptom severity over the past two to four weeks. A telehealth GP consultation can include these screeners and an interpretation against current clinical guidelines.

How long does anxiety treatment take to work?

Psychological therapy such as CBT often produces noticeable improvement within 6 to 12 weekly sessions, though individual timing varies. Medication such as SSRIs or SNRIs typically takes 2 to 6 weeks for a meaningful effect, with side effects often more noticeable in the first one to two weeks. Your GP will schedule follow-up to review progress.

Can anxiety be cured?

There is no guaranteed cure, but anxiety is highly treatable and many people achieve substantial, lasting improvement with the right combination of psychological therapy, medication where appropriate, and lifestyle support. The goal is usually to reduce symptoms to manageable levels and build tools to cope with recurrence rather than elimination.

Is telehealth suitable for anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety is assessed through conversation about your symptoms, triggers, sleep, mood, function, and any coexisting conditions, which is well suited to a video or phone consultation. Telehealth also removes the stress of travelling to a clinic, which some people with anxiety find particularly helpful.

Can a GP refer me to a psychologist for anxiety?

Yes. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist (via a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-rebated sessions), a psychiatrist for complex presentations, or other mental health professionals. You can choose any registered psychologist in Australia.

What types of anxiety disorders are there?

Common anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (persistent, broad worry), social anxiety disorder (fear of scrutiny in social situations), panic disorder (recurrent panic attacks), specific phobias, and agoraphobia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder in DSM-5, although it has historically been grouped with them and presents with overlapping features. Your GP will identify the pattern that fits your experience and tailor treatment accordingly.

How much does an anxiety consultation cost with NewDoc?

For eligible Medicare cardholders, NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations with no out-of-pocket cost. Any eScript, Mental Health Treatment Plan, psychologist referral, or medical certificate issued during the consultation is included at no extra charge.

Can I get a follow-up appointment to review my anxiety treatment?

Yes. Follow-up appointments are an important part of managing anxiety. They allow your GP to review your response to medication or therapy, adjust the plan, and provide ongoing support. NewDoc bulk bills follow-up consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders.

What should I do in a mental health crisis?

If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe, please call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) are also free 24/7 phone services. 13YARN (13 92 76) is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Telehealth is not appropriate for acute crisis care.

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