Telehealth lets you see a registered doctor by phone, video or online. Here's how it works in Australia, what it suits and what to check first.
Telehealth is healthcare delivered without you being in the same room as the doctor, usually by video, phone or a detailed online form. In Australia it's provided by the same AHPRA-registered doctors who work in clinics, under the same professional standards. It suits a lot of everyday health questions well, and it has clear limits worth knowing about.
What telehealth actually is
At its simplest, telehealth is a consultation that happens at a distance. That might be a video call, a phone call, or an online questionnaire that a doctor reviews before getting in touch with you. Many services use a mix. You share your history in writing first, then the doctor contacts you to talk it through.
The format changes, but the core of good medicine doesn't. A doctor still needs to understand your history, your current medications, what's worrying you and what you want out of it. The main difference is that they can't examine you in person, so the quality of the information you share matters even more.
Who regulates it
There isn't a separate rulebook that lets telehealth doctors cut corners. Doctors in Australia are registered through AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Medical Board of Australia, and those professional obligations apply whether you're sitting in their room or talking on a screen. Health advertising is also regulated, which is why responsible services don't promise results or publish testimonials.
Your health information is protected under Australian privacy law too. It's reasonable to ask any service where your data is stored and how it's protected before you hand it over.
What a typical telehealth journey looks like
Services vary, but a well-run telehealth process usually follows a similar shape.
- You share your history. This might be a booking form or a detailed questionnaire covering your symptoms, goals, medical history and medications.
- A doctor reviews it. They read what you've written and contact you to ask questions and fill in gaps.
- Tests where they're useful. If bloodwork would help, the doctor gives you a pathology referral and you visit a local collection centre.
- A plan. The doctor explains what they recommend and why, in a form you can refer back to.
- Follow-up. Good care doesn't stop at one conversation. There should be a clear plan for checking in.
If any of those steps is missing or rushed, it's worth asking why.
What telehealth suits, and what it doesn't
Telehealth works well for conversations that rely mostly on history, discussion and test results. Ongoing tiredness, poor sleep, questions about your metabolic health, reviewing blood tests and planning follow-up are good examples. It also removes travel time, which matters a lot if you live regionally, work long hours or have small kids at home.
It isn't the right fit for everything. Anything that needs a hands-on examination, an urgent assessment or an in-person procedure should be seen face to face. A good telehealth doctor will tell you when that's the case and point you to the right place, whether that's your regular GP, a specialist or an emergency department.
If you're unsure whether your concern suits telehealth, the safer move is to ask. A doctor can usually tell quickly whether they can help remotely.
Costs and Medicare
Costs vary widely between telehealth services. Some consultations attract a Medicare rebate and some don't, depending on the type of service and the rules that apply at the time. Private services that focus on longer assessments or written plans often sit outside Medicare.
Whatever the model, you should know what you'll pay before you commit. Look for a service that itemises costs in writing, tells you what's included, and is clear about what happens if you decide not to go ahead. For a fuller checklist, see what to look for in a telehealth clinic in Australia.
Getting the most out of a telehealth appointment
Because the doctor can't see you in person, a bit of preparation goes a long way. Before your consultation, a few things help.
Write down your main concern and how long it's been going on. Note what makes it better or worse, and anything you've already tried. Have a list of your current medications handy, along with any recent test results or letters from other doctors.
Be honest and specific. "I'm tired" is a start, but "I've been exhausted by mid-arvo for three months, even on weekends" gives a doctor much more to work with. If you're having bloodwork, it helps to know how to prepare for a blood test so your results are as useful as possible.
Finally, make sure you understand the next step before the conversation ends. You should know what's been recommended, why, and when you'll hear from the doctor again.
When to talk to a doctor in person
Some situations need an in-person assessment rather than telehealth. Seek face-to-face care for a new lump, a wound that isn't settling, sudden or severe pain, unexplained bleeding or anything that's rapidly getting worse. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or feel faint, call 000.
Getting started
UHD BioHealth is a doctor-led telehealth service available in every state and territory. You start with a detailed online questionnaire that takes 5 to 8 minutes, and an AHPRA-registered doctor reviews it and makes contact within 24 hours. Where it's useful, they'll arrange bloodwork at a local collection centre, then you receive a written personalised plan with every cost itemised, and the questionnaire, review and plan cost nothing. If you'd like to see how it works for you, start your assessment.
Common questions
Is a telehealth doctor a real doctor?
In Australia, any doctor providing care by telehealth must be registered with AHPRA, the same as a doctor you'd see in person. You can check a doctor's registration on the public AHPRA register, and a reputable service will be happy for you to do so.
Can I get blood tests through telehealth?
Yes. A telehealth doctor can give you a pathology referral, and you take it to a local collection centre near you. The results go back to the doctor, who goes through them with you.
When is telehealth not the right choice?
Telehealth isn't suited to emergencies or anything that needs a physical examination, such as a lump that needs feeling or a wound that needs looking at. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or feel faint, call 000.
Want a proper look?
An in-depth health questionnaire covering your history, symptoms, medications and lifestyle, read by an AHPRA-registered doctor within 24 hours. Bloodwork where it's needed, and a written plan before you pay anything.
General health information only, not medical advice. Complete our questionnaire and a doctor will assess whether a consult is right for you. Individual needs and outcomes vary. In an emergency, call 000.
What does a doctor-led health assessment cost in Australia?
What you're likely to pay to have a doctor properly look at your energy, sleep, recovery or long-term health, and the questions to ask before you pay anything.
Seeing a doctor-led telehealth clinic from Melbourne
UHD BioHealth is based in Melbourne and works by telehealth across Victoria and the rest of Australia. Here's how it works if you're in Melbourne, and what to expect.
How to check a telehealth clinic is legitimate
Five checks that take ten minutes and tell you whether an online health service is a real, doctor-led clinic, plus the warning signs worth walking away from.