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Free asthma treatment online — if Medicare eligible

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia. Free if you're eligible for Medicare bulk-billing — a NewDoc GP can review your asthma control, update your Asthma Action Plan, and adjust your treatment step where needed.

Can a telehealth GP help with asthma?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can review your asthma history by video, prescribe preventer, reliever, and combination inhalers where clinically appropriate, and create or update a written Asthma Action Plan. The National Asthma Council Australia recommends a GP review every 6 to 12 months, and reliever inhaler use of more than twice a week as a marker of poor control.

The consultation, eScripts, and any specialist referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders. Lung function (spirometry) testing needs in-person attendance, and for an acute severe asthma attack call 000.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways in the lungs. It causes the airways to become inflamed, narrow, and produce excess mucus, making it difficult to breathe. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that around 2.7 million Australians (about 11% of the population) live with asthma, making it one of the most common chronic conditions in the country.

Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or early in the morning. Symptoms can range from mild and occasional to severe and persistent, and may be triggered by exercise, allergens, cold air, respiratory infections, or stress.

While asthma cannot be cured, it may be well controlled with an appropriate treatment plan. Good asthma management aims to reduce symptoms and flare-ups, helping you maintain your daily activities. Your GP will assess your individual circumstances.

When to see a doctor about asthma

You should see a GP if you are experiencing frequent asthma symptoms, using your reliever inhaler more than twice a week, waking at night due to asthma, or if your symptoms are limiting your physical activity. Regular GP reviews are essential even when your asthma feels well controlled.

If you are experiencing a severe asthma attack with significant difficulty breathing, blue lips or fingernails, or your reliever medication is not helping, call 000 immediately. For non-emergency asthma management, a telehealth consultation is a convenient option.

How a telehealth GP can help with asthma

A NewDoc telehealth GP can review your asthma symptoms, assess how well your current treatment is working, and adjust your medications accordingly. Telehealth is well suited for routine asthma care, including medication reviews, prescription renewals, and creating or updating your Asthma Action Plan.

Your GP can prescribe preventer and reliever inhalers, adjust dosages, check your inhaler technique via video, refer you to a respiratory specialist if needed, and provide a chronic disease management plan for Medicare-funded allied health services.

Common asthma triggers

Identifying your personal triggers is an important part of asthma management. Common triggers include allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mould spores. Respiratory infections, including colds and the flu, are also frequent triggers and may lead to flare-ups that take time to settle.

Environmental factors may also play a role. Cold or dry air, smoke, air pollution, strong scents or fumes, and sudden weather changes can irritate sensitive airways. Exercise is a common trigger, though with appropriate management most people with asthma can remain physically active.

Your GP can help you identify which triggers affect you and suggest practical strategies to reduce your exposure. Keeping a symptom diary may be useful for recognising patterns and discussing them at your next review.

Asthma inhalers: relievers, preventers, and combinations

The Australian Asthma Handbook (National Asthma Council) and Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) recommend a stepwise approach. Most adults benefit from a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) preventer or an as-needed ICS-formoterol combination.

Reliever inhalers — for acute symptom relief

  • Salbutamol (Ventolin, Asmol) — short-acting beta-agonist (SABA); 1–2 puffs as needed; OTC at low dose, prescription for larger packs
  • Terbutaline (Bricanyl) — alternative SABA via Turbuhaler

Frequent SABA use (more than twice a week) suggests poor asthma control — your GP will usually start or escalate preventer therapy. The Australian Asthma Handbook now recommends avoiding SABA-only treatment in adults given evidence of harm.

Preventer inhalers — daily inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)

  • Beclometasone (Qvar) — low-dose first-line ICS preventer
  • Ciclesonide (Alvesco) — alternative ICS with lower local side-effect profile
  • Fluticasone (Flixotide) — established ICS
  • Mometasone (Asmanex) — once-daily ICS via Twisthaler
  • Budesonide (Pulmicort) — ICS via Turbuhaler

Combination ICS + LABA inhalers — for moderate-to-severe asthma

  • Budesonide + formoterol (Symbicort) — also used in AIR (as-needed ICS-formoterol) and MART (maintenance + reliever) regimens — increasingly the first-line for mild persistent asthma
  • Fluticasone + salmeterol (Seretide) — established combination
  • Fluticasone + vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) — once-daily combination
  • Fluticasone + formoterol (Flutiform)

Add-on therapies — for poorly controlled or severe asthma

  • Tiotropium (Spiriva) — long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA); added to ICS-LABA for triple therapy
  • Montelukast (Singulair) — leukotriene receptor antagonist; oral tablet; useful for exercise-induced asthma and allergic asthma. PBS warning on neuropsychiatric side effects
  • Mepolizumab (Nucala), Benralizumab (Fasenra), Omalizumab (Xolair) — monoclonal antibodies (biologics) for severe eosinophilic or allergic asthma; PBS-listed via respiratory specialist

Asthma Action Plan and ongoing care

Every person with asthma should have a written Asthma Action Plan, reviewed annually with the GP. It sets out daily preventer/reliever, what to do when symptoms worsen, and when to seek emergency care. Your GP can also create a Chronic Disease Management Plan for Medicare-rebated allied health support, and arrange spirometry (in-person) to confirm diagnosis or monitor control. Annual flu vaccination is recommended.

Living with asthma

Having an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan is one of the most important steps you can take. Your plan should be reviewed with your GP at least once a year, or whenever your symptoms or medications change. This helps ensure you have clear guidance on what to do if your asthma worsens.

Using your inhaler correctly can make a significant difference to how well your asthma is controlled. Your GP or pharmacist can check your technique and suggest improvements. Regular GP reviews, ideally every 6 to 12 months, allow your doctor to assess your control and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Staying physically active is encouraged for most people with asthma. With appropriate precautions, such as warming up before exercise and using your reliever inhaler as directed by your GP, physical activity may help improve overall lung health and wellbeing.

An annual flu vaccination is recommended for people with asthma, as respiratory infections can trigger flare-ups. Monitoring your symptoms over time and keeping track of how often you use your reliever inhaler can help you and your GP identify whether your asthma management plan may need updating.

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 15 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP prescribe asthma inhalers?

Yes. A GP can prescribe preventer inhalers, reliever inhalers, and combination inhalers during a telehealth consultation. The prescription is sent electronically to your pharmacy. Many asthma medications are subsidised under the PBS.

Can I get an Asthma Action Plan via telehealth?

Yes. Your GP can create or update a written Asthma Action Plan during your telehealth appointment. This plan outlines your daily medications, how to recognise worsening symptoms, and what to do in an asthma emergency.

Is telehealth suitable for asthma management?

Yes. Telehealth is effective for routine asthma reviews, medication adjustments, and prescription renewals. If your GP determines that lung function testing or a physical examination is needed, they will advise you to attend an in-person appointment.

How often should I see a GP about my asthma?

The National Asthma Council recommends reviewing your asthma with a GP at least every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if your symptoms change or you are using your reliever inhaler more than twice a week. Regular reviews help your GP assess whether your treatment plan may need adjusting.

Is the asthma consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment.

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan is a written plan created with your GP that outlines your daily medications, how to recognise worsening symptoms, and what to do in an emergency. It is personalised to your level of asthma control and should be updated at each review to reflect any changes in your treatment.

Can I get a follow-up appointment for my asthma?

Yes. Regular follow-up reviews are recommended every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if your symptoms change. NewDoc bulk bills follow-up telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for ongoing asthma management.

What is the 4 by 4 by 4 rule for asthma?

The 4 by 4 by 4 rule is the Australian Asthma First Aid plan published by Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council. If someone is having an asthma attack: (1) sit them upright; (2) give 4 separate puffs of a blue reliever (such as salbutamol/Ventolin) through a spacer if available, with 4 breaths between each puff; (3) wait 4 minutes; (4) if there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs and call 000 immediately. Continue 4 puffs every 4 minutes until ambulance arrives. Severe asthma is always a medical emergency — do not delay calling 000 if symptoms are severe, lips are turning blue, or the reliever is not helping.

What is the rule of 2 in asthma?

The 'rule of 2' is the National Asthma Council's threshold for poor asthma control. If you are using your blue reliever inhaler more than 2 times a week (other than before exercise), waking at night with asthma more than 2 times a month, or having asthma symptoms more than 2 days a week, your asthma is not well controlled and needs review. Frequent reliever use also signals that a daily preventer (or a combination ICS-formoterol regimen) is likely needed. The Australian Asthma Handbook explicitly recommends against reliever-only treatment in adults given the evidence of increased risk of severe attacks. A bulk billed telehealth GP review can step up your treatment.

What is the biggest trigger for asthma?

Triggers vary between individuals. The most commonly reported triggers in Australia are viral respiratory infections (colds and flu — typically the single biggest cause of asthma flare-ups), allergens (house dust mites, pollen, mould spores, pet dander), exercise (especially in cold or dry air), cigarette and bushfire smoke, air pollution, sudden weather changes, and occupational exposures (dust, fumes, chemicals). Hay fever often coexists with allergic asthma and managing both together (intranasal corticosteroid spray plus the asthma plan) can reduce flare-ups. A telehealth GP can help you identify your individual triggers — keeping a symptom diary for a few weeks before your appointment is useful — and tailor a management plan around them.

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