Abby Health

As of September 2026, if you’re in Australia, I’d pick based on what you need: your regular GP via HotDoc/Healthengine for ongoing care; InstantScripts, Qoctor, Hola or Doctors on Demand for fast one-off private telehealth; 13SICK for eligible after-hours bulk-billed care; and healthdirect for free triage/advice.

Best telehealth services Australians actually use

My quick picks

• Best overall: Your regular GP via HotDoc/Healthengine
• Best for fast repeats/certificates: InstantScripts or Qoctor
• Best after-hours bulk-billed option: 13SICK, if eligible
• Best 24/7 private GP consult: Doctors on Demand or Hola Health
• Best if you’re trying to avoid out-of-pocket cost: Your own bulk-billing GP, 13SICK after-hours, or Abby Health if eligible
• Best free first step when unsure: healthdirect

Safety rule of thumb in Australia

For scripts, certificates and referrals, prefer services that involve a real-time phone or video consultation where clinically needed. The Medical Board of Australia has warned that questionnaire-only prescribing or certificate-issuing without a real-time doctor-patient consultation is not good practice. (medicalboard.gov.au)

And for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms, major bleeding, severe allergic reaction, collapse, serious mental health crisis, or anything life-threatening: call 000 rather than using telehealth.

If you want the best telehealth services in Australia, the most widely used and recognizable options from the results are Doctors On Demand, Qoctor, Medmate, Instant Consult, and 13SICK for after-hours care.

For a practical shortlist, these are the strongest picks:

A few useful points:

• Telehealth in Australia generally means a consultation by phone or video when a physical exam is not needed.
• If you want bulk-billed or low-cost options, comparison sites like MediCompare highlight providers such as Hola Health and Abby Health, but those listings are comparison-based rather than primary providers.
• For mental health telehealth, comparison listings point to My Mirror, Someone.Health, Talked, and Dokotela as common choices for telepsychology/psychiatry.

If you want the most straightforward recommendation:

• Best overall mainstream choice: Doctors On Demand
• Best for quick app-based GP booking: Instant Consult
• Best for after-hours needs: 13SICK
• Best for a broad online doctor platform: Medmate
• Best for a trusted dedicated online doctor brand: Qoctor

If you want, I can also rank the top Australian telehealth services by price, bulk billing, after-hours availability, or mental health support.

Popular telehealth options in Australia include Hola Health, NextClinic, Prime Medic, Abby Health, Healthy Life, HotDoc, Updoc, and InstantScripts/Instant Consult, based on review volumes, mentions in comparisons, and user feedback.

These stand out for convenience (quick video or phone consults with AHPRA-registered doctors), services like scripts, medical certificates, referrals, and after-hours access, plus varying levels of bulk billing for Medicare-eligible patients. Usage has stabilised post-pandemic, with around 22-24% of Australians accessing telehealth in recent years, often for GPs.

Top Recommendations (Based on Popularity and Reviews)

Here are some of the most frequently used and highly regarded options:

• Hola Health: One of the most mentioned for speed and 24/7 availability. Expect consults typically within 15 minutes (varies by demand), eScripts, medical certificates, referrals, and general GP care via app or web. Pricing starts around $39–$49 for consults, with lower add-on fees (e.g., ~$15–$19 for certs/scripts); some after-hours bulk billing for eligible Medicare cardholders. Strong Google reviews (~4.2/5 from thousands) and solid Trustpilot scores (~4.3/5); praised for convenience when your regular GP isn’t available, though occasional wait or support complaints exist. Great all-rounder for urgent but non-emergency needs.

• NextClinic: Stands out in user review sites like ProductReview.com.au (around 4.8/5 from hundreds of reviews) for fast medical certificates (often within 1 hour, from ~$20), scripts, and consults. Open extended hours (e.g., 6am–midnight). Mid-range pricing with straightforward online process; users highlight reliability for work/study certs and everyday scripts. No widespread bulk billing noted, but highly convenient for quick admin-style services.

• Abby Health and Prime Medic: Strong for affordability and bulk billing options. Abby Health is noted for near-full bulk billing (even post recent Medicare changes) and good accessibility. Prime Medic offers competitive private fees (~$22–$37) with some bulk billing, 24/7 GP focus, and high ratings for quality and responsiveness. Ideal if cost or Medicare eligibility is key.

• Healthy Life (powered by Hola Health doctors): Excellent for more comprehensive or wellness-focused needs, including naturopathy, weight management, and an online shop (Woolworths-owned). 24/7 access with short waits and extras like delivery options. Slightly premium pricing but broad services.

• HotDoc: Popular booking app/platform (millions of users) to access telehealth or in-person with your existing GP, specialists, or others. Useful if you prefer continuity with your regular doctor rather than a new provider.

Other notables include Updoc (subscription model for frequent users, from ~$20/month) and government-backed options like healthdirect (nurse/doctor advice, often free or low-cost) or 1800MEDICARE for after-hours support.

Quick Tips for Using Telehealth in Australia

• Bulk billing/Medicare: Many providers offer $0 consults (or rebates) for eligible Medicare cardholders, especially after-hours or specific services like mental health—check eligibility on booking. Video is generally preferred over phone for Medicare items.
• What to expect: Most use secure apps/websites for questionnaires, then video consults. Services cover non-emergencies (scripts, certs, advice, referrals). Always verify AHPRA registration.
• Choosing based on needs: Speed/24/7 → Hola Health or similar; bulk billing/cheap → Abby Health/NewDoc-style; certs/scripts only → NextClinic or InstantScripts; link to regular GP → HotDoc.
• Caveats: Not for emergencies (call 000). Availability, exact pricing, and bulk billing can vary—compare on sites like MediCompare or directly. Reviews are generally positive for convenience but note occasional wait times or policy limits (e.g., certain meds).

Start with Hola Health or NextClinic if you want something widely used and straightforward, or check Medicare-linked options first. Always confirm current details on the provider’s site, as offerings evolve. If you have a specific need (e.g., mental health, scripts only), that can narrow it further.