Qoctor

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.

G’day! If you’re looking for telehealth in Australia, you’re in luck—we have a really solid market here. The best part is that many of these services are bulk-billed, so if you have a Medicare card, you can often see a doctor for free.

Here are the top telehealth services that Australians actually use, broken down by what they’re best for:

1. Healthdirect (Best overall for free, government-backed care)

• What it is: The Australian Government’s official health advice line.
• Why people use it: While not a long-term GP, it offers free 24/7 video consultations with registered nurses and connects you to after-hours GP services. If you're unsure whether you need a doctor, this is the safest first port of call. It’s completely free and linked directly to your state’s health system.

2. InstantScripts (Best for quick scripts and medical certificates)

• Why people use it: It’s famously fast. You can get a prescription for common conditions (UTIs, sinusitis, eczema) or a medical certificate within 15 minutes.
• Cost: Bulk-billed for most standard GP consults if you have a concession card, otherwise roughly $20–$30 for a standard consult. It’s ideal for when you’re at work and just need a doctor’s note quickly.

3. Qoctor (Best for immediate care and specialist referrals)

• Why people use it: They are open 24/7, and they are particularly good for prescribing medications for issues like acne, hair loss, or migraines. They also issue referrals to specialists quickly.
• Cost: Often bulk-billed for basic med certs, but paid for specific prescriptions. Very reliable turnaround times.

4. Updoc (Best all-rounder integration)

• Why people use it: Updoc is a polished, modern app that partners with major pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse. You can book a consult, get a prescription, and have it sent straight to a local pharmacy for pickup or home delivery.
• Cost: Varies by time of day (around $20–$30 for standard consults; bulk-billed options are available for certain demographics).

5. Doctors on Demand (Best for continuity of care / finding "your" GP)

• Why people use it: Unlike some services where you see a random doctor, this app lets you pick the same GP for follow-ups. They handle mental health plans (Mental Health Care Plans) and chronic disease management very well.
• Cost: Mostly private billing, but you get the rebate back via Medicare. Usually out-of-pocket is around $20–$40 after the rebate.

6. Your Local GP Clinic Apps (e.g., HotDoc)

• Why people use it: It isn't a telehealth brand itself, but HotDoc is the app that virtually every Aussie GP clinic uses.
• How to use it: Book a "Telehealth" appointment with your actual local doctor. This is the best option if you have a chronic condition or know your GP well, because you maintain continuity of care. Many clinics bulk-bill these telehealth appointments, making them free.

What about the big brand pharmacies? Coles, Woolworths, and Chemist Warehouse have all dipped their toes into telehealth. Chemist Warehouse's "Updoc" is probably the most widely used because it integrates with their pharmacy network for immediate medication dispensing.

A quick tip for you:

• If you just need a script for a repeat medication → InstantScripts is usually the fastest.
• If you want bulk billing (free) → look for a local clinic via HotDoc that advertises "Bulk Billed Telehealth" or use Healthdirect for an immediate nurse consult.
• If you're in a remote area or need an after-hours consult (2 AM) → Qoctor is your best bet.

Important heads up: Double-check whether the service you choose sends e-scripts to your phone or requires you to pick up a physical script. Also, be aware that Medicare’s rules around telehealth GP consults have tightened recently (as of late 2023), so not every private provider is bulk-billed anymore. Always check the "cost" section before you hit book.

My personal recommendation: Download HotDoc first and search for your local GP's telehealth availability. If they aren't available, fall back on InstantScripts for speed and Healthdirect if you want free, trustworthy guidance.

The Australian telehealth landscape has shifted toward dedicated digital-first platforms. For a general consultation, a quick repeat prescription, or a medical certificate, standard Medicare bulk-billing rarely applies online unless you have seen that specific GP clinic face-to-face in the last 12 months. Most popular on-demand platforms operate on a private, flat-fee structure.

The top telehealth platforms used across Australia are categorized below by their primary clinical focus and service delivery:

24/7 & On-Demand General Practice

Doctors on Demand: Best for: Round-the-clock medical care and corporate or health insurance partner integrations. Key Specs: Video consultations available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Standout Features: Fully integrated with Allianz Care OSHC/OVHC plans for gap-free international student/visitor consults. Private consultation rates scale depending on whether you book after-hours. Instant Consult: Best for: Instant, queue-based general practitioner video calls without needing an appointment. Key Specs: Operating hours from 6:00 AM to midnight AEDT, 365 days a year. Standout Features: Features a live virtual waiting room where you are paired with the first available Australian-registered (AHPRA) doctor, typically within minutes. Standard private fees start at roughly $45. Hola Health: Best for: Urgent late-night medical issues and rapid script fulfillment. Key Specs: Open 24/7 across Australia. Standout Features: Offers dedicated bulk-billed urgent care and script renewals during strict overnight hours (typically 11:00 PM to 6:45 AM). They partner directly with local pharmacies to arrange immediate home medication delivery starting at $5.99.

Quick Scripts & Medical Certificates

Updoc: Best for: Asynchronous medical certificates and routine, low-risk prescription repeats. Key Specs: Fully text-based, asynchronous intake form requiring no live video or phone call. Standout Features: Exceptionally fast turnaround time; users regularly receive legally compliant employer-verified sick notes or digital eScripts straight to their phone via SMS within an hour. Flat rates sit around $30 for single certificates. Qoctor: Best for: Affordable, straightforward text-and-phone assessments. Key Specs: Fast clinical review model for basic items. Standout Features: Long-running Australian provider favored for its low price points on quick medical documents and routine specialist referral letters.

Specialized & Subscription Health Programs

Pilot: Best for: Discrete, holistic end-to-end medical care plans tailored for men. Key Specs: Subscription-based treatment pathways. Standout Features: Treats sensitive clinical issues like hair loss, sexual health, sleep disorders, and metabolic weight management. Consultations are asynchronous; treatments are shipped directly to your door in unbranded packaging. Mosh: Best for: Mental health counseling combined with daily prescription management. Key Specs: Dedicated practitioners covering dermatology, hair loss, and mental well-being. Standout Features: Focuses heavily on continuous clinical support rather than one-off, transactional pharmacy visits.

Government & Free Alternatives

If you are looking for free triage or want to check if your regular practitioner offers telehealth, consider these public options:

Healthdirect Australia: The federally funded 24/7 hotline (1800 022 222) links you with registered nurses for free. Certain states also offer free dedicated Healthdirect Virtual Care Clinics. HotDoc or HealthEngine: Use these booking marketplaces to see if your regular family GP offers telehealth consults. If you have visited them in person within the past 12 months, your phone or video appointment can often be completely bulk-billed under normal Medicare guidelines.