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Is telehealth bulk billed in Australia?

Yes — for eligible Medicare cardholders. Here's how telehealth bulk billing works in Australia, who's eligible, and what's included.

Is telehealth bulk billed in Australia?

Yes — telehealth GP consultations can be bulk billed in Australia for patients who hold a valid Medicare card and are physically in Australia at the time of the consultation. Whether you pay out of pocket depends on the provider's billing policy.

At NewDoc every telehealth consultation is bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders — including eScripts, medical certificates, and referrals issued during the same consultation. After-hours and weekend consultations are also bulk billed.

Telehealth bulk billing in Australia — short answer

Bulk billing is a billing arrangement under Medicare where the doctor accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment for the consultation, so the patient pays nothing out of pocket. Bulk billed telehealth has been available under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) since the COVID-era expansion of telehealth items in 2020, and remains available now for eligible patients.

Who is eligible for bulk billed telehealth?

To be eligible for a Medicare-funded telehealth consultation in Australia you need:

  • A valid Medicare card
  • To be physically in Australia at the time of the consultation
  • To meet the MBS item requirements for the consultation type (most general GP items have minimal additional requirements)

From 2022, Australian government policy reintroduced the "12-month established-relationship rule" for some telehealth items — requiring patients to have seen the same GP or clinic in person in the previous 12 months. NewDoc operates under the disaster-zone exemption to that rule, which means we can see patients we have never previously met in person.

How bulk billing actually works at NewDoc

You book a consultation, the doctor sees you by video or phone, and at the end of the consultation NewDoc claims the Medicare rebate directly from Services Australia. You pay nothing for the consultation, no out-of-pocket cost, no follow-up invoice. If the doctor issues an eScript, medical certificate, pathology referral, imaging referral, or specialist referral during the same consultation, it's included at no extra cost — the documents are part of the consultation, not separately billed.

See our bulk billed telehealth page for the full service description, and our pricing page for the complete fee breakdown.

Why some telehealth providers don't bulk bill

Some Australian telehealth providers charge a gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate. The gap covers operational costs that exceed the rebate — and can be $20–$60 per consultation. The MBS rebate for a standard Level B GP consultation has not kept pace with general practice operating costs, which is why bulk billing in person has become rarer across the country. Telehealth-only providers can sometimes maintain bulk billing through different cost structures.

What Medicare doesn't cover

Medicare covers the consultation, not the medication. Prescribed medications are covered separately by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which subsidises a wide range of medicines. As of the current PBS schedule, the patient co-payment is up to $42.50 per script for general patients and up to $7.70 for concession-card holders. Many common medications fall well below this cap. Medicines not listed on the PBS are paid at the full retail price.

What happens if I'm not eligible?

If you don't have a valid Medicare card you cannot use Medicare-funded telehealth bulk billing. You would need to pay a private consultation fee (or seek care through an appropriate state-funded pathway). For specific eligibility questions — including Medicare reciprocal arrangements for some overseas visitors — Services Australia is the source of truth, and Healthdirect Australia (1800 022 222) is a useful triage line.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 14 May 2026. Editorial policy

Ready to see a GP?

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

Or call 0481 615 998

Frequently asked questions

Is telehealth always bulk billed?

No. Telehealth bulk billing depends on the provider, the patient's eligibility, and the type of consultation. NewDoc bulk bills all consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders. Some other telehealth providers charge a gap fee that varies with the time of day or consultation length.

Who is eligible for bulk billed telehealth in Australia?

To be eligible for Medicare-funded telehealth you need a valid Medicare card, to be in Australia at the time of the consultation, and to meet the MBS item requirements for the consultation type. There is no longer a 12-month established-relationship rule for the providers covered by the disaster-zone exemption, including NewDoc.

How is bulk billing different from a Medicare rebate?

When a service is bulk billed, the doctor accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment — you don't pay anything out of pocket. When a service is rebated (not bulk billed), you pay the full fee upfront and Medicare refunds you the rebate portion, leaving a gap fee you cover. NewDoc bulk bills, so there's no gap to pay later.

Are eScripts, certificates, and referrals also bulk billed?

Yes — at NewDoc, an eScript, medical certificate, pathology referral, imaging referral, or specialist referral issued during the same bulk billed consultation is included at no extra charge. The doctor does not separately bill for the document itself; it's part of the consultation.

Does telehealth still get bulk billed after hours?

Yes for NewDoc — after-hours, weekend, and public-holiday telehealth consultations are bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients. Some other after-hours services bill the additional after-hours MBS items as a gap fee.

What if I don't have a Medicare card?

Without a Medicare card you cannot use Medicare-funded telehealth bulk billing. You would need to pay a private consultation fee out of pocket. People on certain visas, asylum seekers, and overseas visitors may be eligible for limited Medicare access under specific arrangements — Services Australia is the source of truth for individual eligibility.

Does Medicare cover medication costs?

Medicare doesn't cover the medication price itself — that's covered by the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). The PBS subsidises a wide range of medications, so most prescribed medicines cost between $7.70 (concession) and $42.50 (general) per script as of the current PBS schedule. The bulk billed GP consultation and eScript are free; the medication you pick up at the pharmacy is a separate PBS-subsidised cost.

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