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 Medicare telehealth rules and the provider's billing policy.
NewDoc isn't available in every area. We check your postcode when you sign up. Where we are available, every telehealth consultation, including after hours and on weekends, is bulk billed for patients eligible for Medicare bulk billing. Any eScript, medical certificate, or referral issued during the same consultation is included at no extra cost.
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
NewDoc isn't available in every area. We check your postcode when you sign up. Where we are available, your consult is $0 if you're eligible for Medicare bulk billing, otherwise $69.95.
How bulk billing actually works at NewDoc
Where we are available, you book a consultation and the doctor sees you by video or phone. If you're eligible for Medicare bulk billing, NewDoc claims the Medicare rebate directly from Services Australia at the end of the consultation, and you pay nothing for it: 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. From 1 January 2026, the patient co-payment is up to $25.00 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.
Last reviewed 26 June 2026. Editorial policy