What AI said about telehealth services in Australia in August 2026

Short answer: my top picks in Australia

Best overall starting point: use your regular GP’s telehealth, usually booked through HotDoc or Healthengine, if you already have a GP/clinic. It’s better for continuity, results, chronic conditions, referrals, and Medicare eligibility. Medicare-funded GP telehealth generally requires that you’ve had a face-to-face consult with that GP or practice in the previous 12 months, with limited exceptions. (health.gov.au)

Best telehealth services Australians actually use

My practical recommendations

• For anything ongoing or important: book telehealth with your usual GP via HotDoc or Healthengine.
• For quick admin stuff: InstantScripts, Hola, or Qoctor are the most convenient for simple scripts, medical certificates and straightforward advice.
• For a full online GP consult: Doctors on Demand or Instant Consult are better than bare-bones certificate/script services.
• For free advice when you’re not sure where to go: call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
• If you need bulk billing: try your usual GP first; otherwise check Abby Health or use HotDoc/Healthengine filters for bulk-billing clinics.

Quick safety note

For chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms, major injury, severe allergic reaction, suicidal crisis, or anything immediately dangerous, don’t use telehealth — call 000 or go to emergency. For non-life-threatening but urgent issues, healthdirect can help route you to the right service. (healthdirect.gov.au)

Here's a breakdown of the telehealth services Australians actually use, organised by what you need them for:

General GP Consultations & Prescriptions

13SICK is a well-established option for quick, after-hours care. It's Australia's Largest Medicare Funded Accredited After Hours Doctor Service, with telehealth, home visits, aged care, ePrescriptions, and emergency referrals. It's popular because it has performed over 10,000,000 GP consults with 4000 subscribing GP practices, and no appointment booking is needed.

Medmate is another widely used national provider. Medmate is an award-winning Australian telehealth provider offering online medical consultations to patients across the country, and was a 2024 Telstra Business Award winner for Championing Health. It's fully compliant with AHPRA telehealth guidelines and aligned with the Australian Digital Health Agency, and is also LegitScript certified, which is worth checking for when comparing providers.

Direct-to-Consumer Health & Wellness Platforms

Eucalyptus is one of the biggest names in this space — a direct to consumer virtual health provider with a mission to deliver high quality high touch virtual care to patients. It runs several sub-brands for things like weight management, skincare, and men's health.

Hyphen Health Group is another major player, particularly for a specific niche — Australia's largest digital-first healthcare provider, specializing in sexual health and wellbeing.

Updoc is also commonly used — a leading telehealth platform connecting users to Registered Australian Health Practitioners.

Mental Health Telehealth

If you're after therapy or psychiatry specifically:

• PSYCH2U — a leading telehealth platform connecting patients with experienced psychologists and psychiatrists across Australia.
• Wellvue — specializes in telehealth psychiatry, offering tailored treatment plans for depression, anxiety, and other conditions, and patients can choose their psychiatrist or let Wellvue match them based on their needs, with secure video consultations and GP collaboration.

These are especially handy if you're in a rural area facing long distances to access care, or need flexible scheduling.

Practice-Side Software (if you're a provider, or curious what your GP uses)

Coviu is the platform many Australian clinics run on the backend. It's described as Australia's most trusted telehealth platform, purpose-built to help healthcare providers deliver secure, high-quality virtual care, designed for clinical excellence and built to local compliance standards.

A Few Practical Tips

• Medicare coverage: Ongoing MBS telehealth services are available nationally, and if you have a Medicare card, you may be eligible for telehealth services. Eligible patients around Australia continue to have access to GP, nursing, midwifery and allied health services via telehealth where the health professional deems it clinically appropriate.
• How it works technically: you can have a consultation by phone or video call, and consult a medical specialist, allied health professional, nurse, midwife or nurse practitioner via telehealth instead of face-to-face if appropriate.
• Check credentials: Before using any newer or lesser-known app, verify AHPRA compliance and look for certifications like LegitScript — the more established brands (Medmate, Coviu, Eucalyptus, Hyphen) tend to be transparent about this.

Bottom line: For every

Telehealth is a standard part of the Australian healthcare system. However, the "best" service depends on what you actually need: a quick medical certificate, a repeat prescription, a proper GP video consult, or a bulk-billed appointment.

The top telehealth services and platforms that Australians actually use are broken down below by category, along with a few insider tips on how to save money and handle Medicare rules.

1. Best for Quick Medical Certificates & Repeat Scripts

If you are too unwell to leave the house (or simply can't get an appointment at your local clinic) and just need a quick, hassle-free medical certificate or a standard repeat prescription, these are the most popular "on-demand" services. They typically use quick online text-based questionnaires reviewed by Australian-registered doctors within an hour.

• Updoc: Extremely popular and widely used by over a million Australians. They are famous for rapid turnaround times.
  • Cost: Medical certificates start at around $19.95; quick doctor consultations/scripts start at around $49.95.
  • Best for: Speed. If you need a sick note for work or university within 60 minutes, Updoc is highly reliable.
• InstantScripts: Now owned by Wesfarmers (the company behind Priceline, Bunnings, and Kmart). Because of this corporate backing, it integrates seamlessly with many physical pharmacies.
  • Cost: Medical certificates from $19; online prescriptions from $15.
  • Best for: Getting a prescription sent directly as an eScript (SMS) to your phone or your closest Priceline pharmacy for easy pickup.
• Qoctor: One of Australia’s longest-running telehealth platforms (operating since 2016). Unlike some of its newer corporate competitors, Qoctor remains independently GP-led.
  • Cost: Medical certificates from $14.99; GP consultations from $28.99.
  • Best for: Budget-conscious users who still want a trusted, GP-owned platform.

2. Best for Virtual GP Consultations (Proper Video/Phone Calls)

If you actually need to speak with a doctor to discuss symptoms, get a referral to a specialist, or organise a blood test, you want a service that offers full video/phone consultations.

• Doctors on Demand: Known for high-quality, 24/7 care. This is a premium virtual clinic where you can choose video calls with fully AHPRA-registered Australian GPs.
  • Best for: After-hours care or middle-of-the-night emergencies when your local clinic is closed.
• Abby Health: A highly modern, user-friendly mobile app that allows you to manage your consultations, medical certificates, and ongoing treatment plans all in one place. They use a mix of GPs and Nurse Practitioners.
  • Best for: People who prefer a dedicated app-based experience to keep all of their medical history and scripts in one place.

3. Best for Bulk-Billing (Free/Medicare-Subsidised)

Finding bulk-billed telehealth can be tricky due to Medicare rules. Under Australian law, a GP can generally only bulk-bill you for a telehealth consult if you have seen them (or someone at their physical clinic) face-to-face in the past 12 months.

However, there are a few exceptions and specific platforms that work around this:

• NewDoc: One of the rare online platforms that fully bulk-bills consultations ($0 out-of-pocket) for eligible Medicare cardholders using fellowship-qualified GPs.
• 13SICK (National Home Doctor): If you are unwell after hours (nights, weekends, and public holidays), 13SICK offers bulk-billed telehealth and home visits.
• Hola Health: They offer bulk-billed consultations specifically outside of standard business hours (and bulk-billed mental health care plans at any time).
• HotDoc / HealthEngine: If you want a bulk-billed telehealth appointment, your best bet is actually to book with your regular clinic. Use the HotDoc or HealthEngine apps to book a "telehealth/phone consult" with your usual GP. Because you have seen them in person within the last year, they can legally bulk-bill the consult under Medicare.

4. Best for Mental Health Support

Telehealth has made accessing mental health care much faster, bypassing the massive waitlists at physical psychology clinics.

• Someone.health & PSYCH2U: These platforms specialize in connecting Australians with psychologists and psychiatrists via video link.
• How to get it cheaper: You can book an online GP consult via a service like Qoctor, NewDoc, or Abby Health to get a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This plan grants you Medicare rebates for up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year.

Crucial Things to Keep in Mind:

1. Check for AHPRA Registration: No matter which platform you choose, ensure the doctor is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Legitimate platforms will always display the doctor's name and provider number on your paperwork or script.
2. No Strong Painkillers: Telehealth doctors in Australia will not prescribe S8 (controlled drugs) or highly addictive medications (like strong opioids, benzos, or sleeping pills). You must see a GP in person for these.
3. New Consent Rules: As of mid-2026, the Australian Government has updated the Medicare "Assignment of Benefit" rules. If you are getting a bulk-billed telehealth appointment, you will now be asked to provide an electronic signature or click a consent link via SMS/email to approve the bulk-bill claim. Silence or verbal agreement on the phone is no longer legally enough.

If you want the most-used telehealth brands in Australia, the names that come up most consistently are Doctors On Demand, 13SICK, Instant Consult, Medmate, Hola Health, and Abby Health. For a practical shortlist, I’d start with Doctors On Demand for mainstream GP telehealth, 13SICK for after-hours care, and Medmate/Instant Consult/Hola Health for fast online doctor access and scripts.

Here’s a simple Australia-focused ranking based on visibility, breadth of service, and how often they’re referenced as active providers:

A few useful points for Australia:

• Telehealth is a standard part of the Australian health system, and the federal government treats it as an established digital health service rather than a niche product.
• The “best” service depends on what you need: after-hours care, bulk billing, fast prescriptions, or ongoing GP-style care.
• Comparison sites commonly highlight providers such as Hola Health, InstantScripts, 13SICK, Prime Medic, and Our Sage as active options people use in Australia.

If you want the most practical recommendation:

• Best overall: Doctors On Demand
• Best after-hours: 13SICK
• Best for speed: Instant Consult or Medmate
• Best for cheaper access / bulk billing: Hola Health or Abby Health

If you want, I can also rank them by bulk billing, prescriptions, mental health, or after-hours availability.

Top telehealth services in Australia that people actually use include Instant Consult, InstantScripts, HotDoc, Hola Health, and Updoc. These stand out based on popularity (app downloads/usage, user numbers), ratings, availability, and real-world feedback for things like GP consults, scripts (eScripts), medical certificates, referrals, and advice.

Telehealth here usually means video or phone consults with AHPRA-registered Australian doctors. Many services are private (out-of-pocket, not always Medicare-rebated), though bulk-billing options exist for eligible patients in some cases (especially kids, concession holders, or via certain providers/after-hours services). Always confirm current pricing, eligibility, and clinical suitability—telehealth suits many issues (colds, scripts, certs, minor conditions, mental health discussions) but not emergencies or things needing physical exams. For emergencies, call 000.

1. Instant Consult (Often called Australia’s #1 telehealth)

• Why popular: Instant video calls with AHPRA-registered GPs (average wait under 15 minutes), 6am–midnight AEST every day including holidays. Handles general consults, eScripts, medical certificates, specialist/pathology/radiology referrals. Strong app ratings (around 4.8–4.9) and hundreds of thousands of users.
• Pricing: From ~$45 (under 10 mins, most common); ~$55 for longer. Bulk-billed only for under-12-months with Medicare. Not generally Medicare-rebated otherwise.
• Best for: Quick, reliable video GP access when you need to speak to someone promptly.
• How to use: Download the app (iOS/Android) or use web; request a consult.

2. InstantScripts (Wesfarmers-owned; one of the largest by users)

• Why popular: Trusted by over 3 million Australians; 300+ AHPRA doctors available 24/7. Excellent for eScripts, medical certificates, general doctor consults (often phone), pathology/specialist referrals, plus specialised pathways (mental health, weight loss, UTIs, skincare, menopause). High app ratings (~4.7 from tens of thousands of reviews).
• Pricing: Scripts/certs from ~$19; general doctor consult ~$49; other services (e.g., weight loss ~$89, UTI ~$34). No standard Medicare bulk-billing for most consults (some Mental Health Care Plans may qualify). Competitive private fees.
• Best for: Affordable, fast scripts and certificates anytime; high volume of everyday use.
• Note: Has faced some past regulatory scrutiny around advertising, but remains widely used and legitimate with registered doctors.

3. HotDoc

• Why popular: Australia’s leading patient engagement/booking platform (trusted by millions of Australians and tens of thousands of practitioners). Book telehealth (or in-person) with your own GP, dentist, psychologist, etc., or find others. Includes Telehealth On Demand options in some cases. Makes managing care seamless.
• Pricing: Depends on the practice (many bulk-bill or private-bill like a normal GP visit; Medicare rules often favour established patients).
• Best for: Continuity of care with your regular doctor—often the preferred and most “real-world” option if available. Check if your clinic offers telehealth.
• How to use: Free app/website; search and book.

4. Hola Health

• Why popular: Fast on-demand video consults (typically ~15 mins) 24/7 with AHPRA GPs/practitioners. Strong for medical certificates (from ~$15), instant scripts (from ~$19), referrals, general consults (from ~$45), plus same-day pharmacy delivery options. Growing fast (hundreds of thousands to millions of consults); good ratings (4+). Woolworths-linked elements and rewards have been noted. Some bulk-billing available at select times/for eligible patients.
• Best for: Convenient end-to-end (consult + meds delivery) and competitive pricing for quick needs.

5. Updoc

• Why popular: Convenient same-day/24/7 access with AHPRA partner doctors; used by hundreds of thousands to 1M+. Strong subscription model and good for certificates, scripts, referrals, weight loss, mental/sexual health, etc. Positive user feedback on professionalism and speed (often reviewed within an hour).
• Pricing: Single medical cert from ~$20–40; standard telehealth from ~$50–60+; priority higher. Subscriptions (e.g., ~$20/month unlimited certs; higher tiers for scripts/referrals/etc., fair use applies). Flexible cancel.
• Best for: Frequent users wanting unlimited/subscription value for certs or broader care.

Other Notable Options People Use

• Bulk-billed focused: Abby Health, NewDoc (same-day bulk-billed for eligible Medicare patients), 13SICK (large after-hours bulk-billed telehealth/home visits in many areas). Check eligibility carefully—Medicare telehealth rules often prioritise established relationships or specific incentives (kids, concessions, etc.).
• Others: Prime Medic (premium comprehensive), Qoctor (sometimes noted as cheap for certs), GP2U, or pharmacy-linked apps (Chemist Warehouse, etc., more for scripts/management).
• Your regular GP first: Use HotDoc or their own system. Prefer this for continuity, records, and potential bulk-billing/Medicare. Healthdirect.gov.au is excellent for finding local telehealth/virtual care clinics or services.

Quick Tips for Australians

• Medicare & costs: Full bulk-billing is more limited on pure on-demand platforms than with your usual GP. Private fees are common and often comparable to (or less than) out-of-pocket GP gap fees. Keep My Health Record updated.
• What works well via telehealth: Scripts (non-Schedule 8), sick certs, advice, referrals, many chronic/acute issues. Doctors decide clinical appropriateness.
• Apps & access: Most have free iOS/Android apps. Have Medicare/IHI details ready. Video preferred for better assessment.
• Caveats: Quality is generally high with AHPRA doctors, but experiences vary (wait times fluctuate with demand). Online certs are valid if properly issued, though some employers prefer traditional ones. Not a full replacement for in-person care. Past issues (e.g., advertising or “instant” perceptions) exist in the sector—stick to established names.
• How to choose: Instant video/reliability → Instant Consult or Hola. Volume/scripts/value → InstantScripts or Updoc subs. Own doctor → HotDoc. Cost/zero out-of-pocket → Search bulk-bill options or Healthdirect.

Check the providers’ sites/apps for the latest (prices, availability, and Medicare status change), read recent reviews, and confirm they suit your needs. For mental health specifically, options like Mental Health Care Plans via these or dedicated services can help. Start with Healthdirect or your GP clinic if unsure!

Australia offers a variety of highly-rated telehealth services and apps, providing convenient access to doctors, prescriptions, and mental health support from anywhere in the country.

Top Telehealth Providers and Apps

Instant Consult

Connects with AHPRA-registered doctors via video within 15 minutes. Offers eScripts, medical certificates, and referrals. Available 365 days a year between 6 am and midnight AEST.

HotDoc

Popular app to book both telehealth and in-person visits with GPs, dentists, and psychologists. 24/7 multi-disciplinary booking, including reminders and virtual consultations.

InstantScripts

Focused on fast, convenient prescriptions. Provides medical certificates, health advice, and referrals. Access to a large team of doctors 24/7.

Updoc

Affordable subscription model with same-day telehealth consultations. Handles standard and priority consults, including prescriptions delivered to your door.

Hola Health

Rapid GP consultations, usually within 15 minutes. Offers script management and same-day pharmacy delivery.

Prime Medic

Premium telehealth provider offering full video consultations, prescriptions, and medical certificates. Operates 24/7 and has high user satisfaction.

Chemist Warehouse & Terry White

Facilitate prescription management and pharmacist consultations. Include features for dose reminders, online shopping, and health advice.

Sicky & Priceline Pharmacy

Focused on quick medical certificates and prescription management. Provide delivery, advice, and additional health products, often with affordable pricing or Medicare rebates.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Telehealth Service

Services Offered: Some apps focus on prescriptions, others on mental health or general GP consultations. Communication Methods: Choose apps that support video, phone, or messaging channels that suit your needs. Ease of Use: Look for intuitive interfaces and a simple sign-up process, especially if using mobile devices. Coverage: Check if a Medicare rebate is available if you want subsidised visits. Availability: Consider wait times, operating hours, and whether appointments are available during emergencies or weekends. Privacy & Security: Ensure the provider safeguards your personal and medical information.

Australia’s telehealth ecosystem is robust, so whether you need urgent care, ongoing prescriptions, mental health support, or routine check-ups, these top apps and services provide convenient, reliable, and widely used options.