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Sexual health telehealth. Confidential GP support

Speak to a qualified GP about sexual health from home. STI testing, contraception, and treatment, bulk billed for eligible patients.

Sexual health consultations via telehealth

Sexual health can be a sensitive topic to discuss, and many people find it easier to speak with a doctor from the privacy of their own home. NewDoc offers bulk billed telehealth consultations with qualified GPs who can help with STI testing and treatment, contraception, and general sexual health concerns.

Your consultation is conducted via video or phone call with an AHPRA-registered GP. The conversation is completely confidential and bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients.

STI testing and treatment

If you are concerned about a sexually transmitted infection, your NewDoc GP can discuss your symptoms and risk factors and issue a pathology referral for appropriate testing. Per the Australian STI Management Guidelines (ASHM), common tests include screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

After your telehealth consultation, you visit a local pathology collection centre to provide samples. Results are sent to your GP, who will contact you to discuss the results and arrange any treatment needed. If treatment is required, your GP can prescribe medication sent as an eScript directly to your phone.

ASHM recommends regular STI screening for sexually active individuals, particularly those aged under 30, men who have sex with men, people with new or multiple sexual partners, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in higher-prevalence regions. Many STIs can be present without noticeable symptoms, and early detection leads to more effective treatment.

Contraception

Your NewDoc GP can discuss contraception options and prescribe suitable methods via telehealth. This includes the combined oral contraceptive pill, the progesterone-only pill (mini pill), and other contraceptive medications. Prescriptions are sent as eScripts to your phone at no extra charge as part of your bulk billed consultation.

For contraceptive methods that require in-person fitting or insertion (such as IUDs or implants), your GP can provide a referral to an appropriate clinic or specialist.

Common sexual health concerns managed via telehealth

A sexual health telehealth consultation can cover a broad range of concerns. Your GP may be able to assist with STI testing referrals, contraception advice, recurring urinary tract infections, thrush, erectile dysfunction, and general reproductive health questions. Where appropriate, your GP can issue prescriptions, blood test referrals, or a specialist referral for further investigation.

For conditions that require ongoing management, your online GP in Australia can help coordinate follow-up care. This may include repeat prescriptions for established treatments, monitoring pathology results over time, or referrals to a sexual health clinic for in-person procedures. Bulk billed telehealth through NewDoc means you can access this support without an out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare patients.

Not every concern requires a face-to-face appointment. Many sexual health matters can be appropriately assessed and managed via a confidential telehealth appointment with an AHPRA-registered GP, and your doctor will let you know if an in-person visit is recommended.

Privacy and confidentiality

All NewDoc consultations are strictly confidential and protected under the Australian Privacy Principles enforced by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. No information about your sexual health consultation is shared with anyone without your explicit consent. Your medical records are stored securely and accessible only to your treating GP.

For many people, discussing sexual health in a traditional clinic setting can feel uncomfortable. A sexual health clinic online through NewDoc removes the waiting room entirely. You speak to your GP from home or any private location, with no risk of running into someone you know at a physical practice.

Our GPs are experienced in providing non-judgemental, professional care for all sexual health concerns. Whether you need STI testing, contraception advice, or support with a sensitive issue, your bulk billed telehealth consultation is a private and convenient way to access the care you need.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Can I discuss sexual health with a GP via telehealth?

Yes. NewDoc GPs are qualified to discuss all aspects of sexual health via telehealth, including STI testing and treatment, contraception, and general sexual health concerns. The consultation is confidential and conducted from wherever you are comfortable.

Is sexual health telehealth bulk billed?

Yes, for eligible Medicare patients. The consultation, any prescriptions, pathology referrals, and follow-up are all included at no out-of-pocket cost. NewDoc does not charge extra fees for sexual health consultations.

Can I get STI testing through telehealth?

Your GP can issue a pathology referral for STI testing during your telehealth consultation. You then attend a local pathology collection centre to provide samples. Results are sent to your GP, who will contact you to discuss them and arrange any treatment needed.

Can NewDoc GPs prescribe contraception?

Yes. NewDoc GPs can prescribe the oral contraceptive pill, mini pill, and other forms of contraception that do not require in-person fitting. Prescriptions are sent as eScripts directly to your phone at no extra charge.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. All NewDoc consultations are strictly confidential and protected under the Australian Privacy Principles. Speaking to a GP from home can feel more comfortable and private than visiting a clinic for sensitive health concerns.

What sexual health conditions can be managed via telehealth?

NewDoc GPs can assist with a range of sexual health concerns via telehealth, including STI testing referrals, contraception, urinary tract infections, thrush, erectile dysfunction, and general reproductive health questions. Your GP will advise you if an in-person consultation is recommended for your particular situation.

Do I need a referral to use sexual health telehealth?

No referral is needed. You can book a bulk billed telehealth appointment directly through NewDoc. If your GP determines that you need further investigation, they can provide a pathology referral, blood test referral, or specialist referral during the consultation at no additional cost for eligible Medicare patients.

Is STI testing free in Australia?

STI testing is generally free or low cost for eligible Medicare cardholders in Australia. The bulk billed telehealth GP consultation that issues the pathology referral is at no out-of-pocket cost through NewDoc. The pathology collection and laboratory testing themselves are typically bulk billed by the pathology provider when ordered on a Medicare-eligible referral. Some specialised tests may attract a small fee — your pathology provider will advise. Most state public sexual health clinics (such as Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Sexual Health Centre, RPH Sexual Health WA, and Cairns Sexual Health) also offer free STI testing without a Medicare card, including for international students and visitors. Free chlamydia and gonorrhoea home test kits are available in Queensland (qld.gov.au/free-chlamydia-test) for residents aged 16 and over.

Is 7 days too early to test for chlamydia after exposure?

It can be — chlamydia and gonorrhoea PCR tests detect bacterial DNA, and the bacteria need time to multiply in the genital tract before they show up reliably. The Australian STI Management Guidelines recommend a window-period of about 2 weeks after exposure for chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT/PCR testing for highest sensitivity, though testing can be done from around 1 to 2 weeks if symptoms are present. For HIV, the standard fourth-generation antibody-antigen test reliably detects infection from about 4 to 6 weeks after exposure (window period up to 90 days for full reassurance). For syphilis, antibody tests are typically reliable from about 3 to 6 weeks after exposure. If you have had a higher-risk exposure, a telehealth GP can advise on the right timing for each test, repeat testing if the first window is too early, and consider HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if exposure was within 72 hours and risk is significant.

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