Getting the contraceptive pill online
The combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen-only pill are the most commonly used forms of hormonal contraception in Australia. Both are prescription-only medicines. A NewDoc telehealth consultation lets you discuss your options and, where clinically appropriate, receive an eScript without leaving home.
Your GP will take a medical history, discuss how a given pill may suit your health profile, and recommend whether a new script or a repeat of your current pill is appropriate. The consultation is bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.
How the online pill prescription works
Book a telehealth consultation through the NewDoc booking flow, join the video or phone call at your scheduled time, and discuss your contraception needs with an AHPRA-registered GP. If your GP determines the pill is clinically appropriate, an eScript is sent directly to your phone by SMS, usually within minutes of the call ending.
You can then fill the script at any Australian pharmacy, or use a pharmacy delivery service that accepts eScripts. Repeats are noted on the script so you do not need a new consult for each box, up to the repeat limit set by your GP.
What your GP will discuss
Before any pill is prescribed, your GP will assess your personal and family medical history, including any history of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, migraines with aura, certain cancers, and any liver or gallbladder conditions. Blood pressure is also a key factor for combined oral contraceptives, so having a recent reading available helps the consultation.
Your GP will also discuss side effects, missed-pill guidance, drug interactions, and when backup contraception is needed. If you are starting a new pill, the GP will explain what to expect in the first few cycles and when to check in for review.
How NewDoc compares for contraceptive pill scripts
NewDoc bulk-bills the consultation that issues your contraceptive pill eScript at $0 under Medicare for eligible cardholders. Other online doctor services charge a per-script fee on top of (or instead of) a Medicare consultation rebate.
| Provider | Lowest published cost to get a script | Bulk-billed? |
|---|---|---|
| NewDoc | $0 (Medicare) | Yes |
| Doccy | Not publicly listed | No |
| Hola Health | From $18.90 (private; bulk-billed after-hours) | After-hours only (and MHTPs always) |
| InstantScripts | $19 per script | No |
| Updoc | From $59.95 per consult or $49.95/mo (Pro tier) | No |
| Doctors on Demand | From $29.90 (QuickScript repeat) | No |
| hub.health | $35 (prescription) | No |
Cell values reflect each provider's lowest publicly listed pathway to a prescription as at the page review date shown below. Doccy lists prescriptions among its services but does not publicly display per-product pricing for them at the verification date. Doctors on Demand operates 24/7 and lists QuickScript repeats at $29.90. hub.health operates 8 am to 8 pm 7 days and lists prescriptions at $35. Hola Health bulk-bills consultations during designated hours (weekdays 6 pm–7:30 am, Saturdays from 12 pm, Sundays and public holidays 24/7); during business hours its scripts are private from $18.90. Updoc is private-pay only with single-consult pricing or monthly subscription tiers. Prices change — check each provider's own website for current pricing before booking.
When telehealth may not be suitable
Most contraceptive pill prescriptions can be managed via telehealth. However, your GP may recommend an in-person appointment if you have not had a blood pressure check recently, if you have a complex medical history, or if a physical examination is clinically necessary. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (such as implants and IUDs) require in-person insertion.
If telehealth is not appropriate, your GP will advise you on next steps, which may include a referral to an in-person GP, a women's health clinic, or a family planning service. For ongoing contraception questions outside a consultation, the healthdirect helpline and Jean Hailes for Women's Health are useful resources.
References
- Contraception options, Healthdirect Australia
- Contraception, Jean Hailes for Women's Health
- Contraception, Family Planning NSW
This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.
Last reviewed 8 May 2026. Editorial policy