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Scabies treatment online, bulk billed: $0 if Medicare eligible

Scabies is a common, treatable skin condition caused by a tiny mite. Bulk billed with no out-of-pocket costs if you're Medicare eligible: a NewDoc GP can assess your symptoms and prescribe treatment where clinically appropriate.

Can a telehealth GP help with scabies?

Often, yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can assess scabies from your history and clear photos or video, prescribe a topical scabicide such as permethrin 5% cream where clinically appropriate, and advise on treating close contacts and washing bedding to prevent reinfection.

The consultation and any eScript are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders. If the diagnosis is unclear, or crusted (severe) scabies is suspected, the GP will direct you to in-person care.

What is scabies?

Scabies is a common skin condition caused by a tiny mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, that burrows into the top layer of skin. It is not a sign of poor hygiene and can affect anyone. The intense itch is an allergic reaction to the mites and their eggs, and it is often worse at night.

Scabies spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, so it commonly passes between people in the same household or between sexual partners. It is treatable, and the itch settles once the mites are cleared and the skin recovers.

Common symptoms

  • Intense itching, usually worse at night
  • A pimple-like rash, often in the finger webs, on the wrists, elbows, around the waist, or on the genitals
  • Thin, wavy burrow lines where the mites have tunnelled
  • Sores or crusting from scratching, which can sometimes become infected

How scabies is treated

The usual first-line treatment in Australia is a topical scabicide, most commonly permethrin 5% cream, applied to the whole body and left on overnight, then repeated after about a week. Because scabies spreads easily, treating household members and close contacts at the same time, and washing recently used bedding and clothing in hot water, is an important part of clearing it. Severe or crusted scabies may need oral treatment and specialist input.

A telehealth GP can assess your symptoms, prescribe treatment as an eScript where clinically appropriate, and explain how to treat contacts and manage the itch, which can linger for a few weeks even after the mites are gone.

When you need in-person care

Telehealth suits most straightforward scabies, but see a GP in person if the diagnosis is uncertain, if crusted (severe) scabies is possible, if the skin looks infected with spreading redness, fever, or pus, or if treatment has not worked after a proper course. Your GP will tell you if an in-person assessment or a skin scraping is needed.

Where NewDoc fits

NewDoc is a pure telehealth general practice. An Australian-trained, FRACGP-qualified GP can assess scabies by video or from clear photos, prescribe treatment where clinically appropriate, and advise on contact treatment and laundering. The consultation is bulk billed, $0 out of pocket for eligible Medicare cardholders, with a private fee for patients without Medicare eligibility. You can book a telehealth appointment to be assessed.

References

  • Scabies, Healthdirect Australia
  • Scabies, DermNet
  • Scabies, Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

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 23 June 2026. Editorial policy

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Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult in under 2 minutes: $0 with Medicare if eligible.

Or call 0481 615 998

Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP diagnose and treat scabies?

Often, yes. Scabies has a recognisable pattern (intense itch worse at night, a rash in the finger webs, wrists, and waistline), and a GP can frequently assess it from your history and clear photos or video, then prescribe treatment. If the appearance is unclear, or crusted scabies is suspected, the GP may advise an in-person review or skin scraping to confirm.

What is the treatment for scabies?

The usual first-line treatment in Australia is a topical permethrin 5% cream. Your GP or pharmacist will explain exactly where to apply it, how long to leave it on, and when to repeat the course, because the correct application area differs by age (infants and older adults often need the face and scalp treated too, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth). A GP decides what is appropriate for you and can send the prescription as an eScript. Severe or crusted scabies may need oral treatment and specialist involvement.

Do I need to treat my whole household for scabies?

Usually, yes. Because scabies spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, all household members and close or sexual contacts are generally treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms yet, to prevent reinfection. Bedding, clothing, and towels used in the past few days should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer or sealed in a bag for several days.

Why am I still itchy after scabies treatment?

Itching can persist for two to four weeks after successful treatment because it is an allergic reaction to the mites, not a sign the treatment failed. A GP can advise on soothing the itch. If you have new burrows or the rash is clearly spreading after treatment, book a review, as a second course or a different approach may be needed.

Is the scabies consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment or the prescription. The only remaining cost is the cream itself at the pharmacy, which may be a PBS co-payment or an over-the-counter price.

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