COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

Telehealth GP Work in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide

Published 1 May 2026 · 14 min read · Updated regularly

Telehealth has permanently changed how general practice works in Australia. What started as a pandemic-era workaround has matured into a core delivery channel for healthcare — one that offers GPs genuine flexibility, competitive earnings, and a fundamentally different relationship with their work. This guide covers everything a GP needs to know about working in telehealth in 2026: the regulatory environment, the different models, what to look for in a platform, how the economics work, and how to build a sustainable telehealth career.

The State of Telehealth in Australia: 2026

Since the permanent introduction of Medicare telehealth items through the Medicare Benefits Schedule in 2022, telehealth consultations have stabilised at approximately 20–25% of all GP consultations nationally. In specialist areas like mental health, ADHD, and weight management, that figure is significantly higher — some condition-specific clinics operate entirely via telehealth.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare continues to track telehealth uptake, and the data shows sustained patient satisfaction with telehealth delivery — particularly for consultations that don't require physical examination. Patient expectations have shifted: telehealth is no longer a compromise but a preferred modality for many types of healthcare interaction.

The regulatory environment continues to evolve. Queensland's landmark December 2025 decision allowing FRACGP GPs to prescribe ADHD stimulants directly opened an entirely new telehealth vertical. South Australia followed with its own trained-GP cohort in early 2026. These regulatory shifts are creating new specialist telehealth opportunities that didn't exist 12 months ago.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Board of Australia have published clear guidelines on telehealth practice standards, establishing that telehealth practitioners are held to identical clinical standards as face-to-face practitioners. The regulatory framework is mature, well-understood, and supportive of telehealth as a permanent delivery model.

Types of Telehealth GP Work

Telehealth GP work in Australia broadly falls into three categories, each with distinct clinical profiles, earning potential, and lifestyle implications:

1. Generalist telehealth

Standard GP consultations delivered via video or phone. These typically mirror a bulk-billed or mixed-billing clinic model, just delivered remotely. Patients present with the full spectrum of general practice — script renewals, medical certificates, acute presentations, mental health check-ins, referral requests, and chronic disease management. Pay tends to be lower per consult ($39–$75 via Medicare items), compensated by higher patient volume (5–8 per hour). Best suited to: GPs who prefer variety, are comfortable with high throughput, and want predictable shift-based income.

2. Specialist-interest telehealth

Condition-specific clinics focusing on areas like ADHD, weight loss (GLP-1 medications), menopause and HRT, men's health (testosterone, erectile dysfunction, hair loss), chronic pain, or mental health. These are typically privately billed at significantly higher consultation fees ($150–$350+), with longer consult times (20–40 minutes), and GPs receiving 60–70% of billings. The clinical work is deeper and more specialised — you develop genuine expertise through repetition and volume. Best suited to: GPs who want to develop subspecialty expertise, prefer longer patient interactions, and want higher hourly earnings. This is the model used by networks like Telehealth Australia Group.

3. After-hours and on-demand telehealth

Platforms that provide on-demand telehealth consultations outside standard business hours. Fast-paced, often unpredictable volume, and typically higher per-consult rates due to after-hours Medicare loading. MBS after-hours items (5020, 5040, 5060 series) attract higher rebates than standard hours. Best suited to: GPs who prefer shift work, are comfortable with clinical variety, and can work evenings or weekends.

What to Look For in a Telehealth Platform

Not all telehealth opportunities are equal. Here are the critical factors to evaluate:

Patient supply: Does the platform deliver patients, or do you need to bring your own? This is the single most important question. If the platform invests in patient acquisition (digital marketing, SEO, advertising), your calendar stays full and your income is predictable. If you're expected to build your own patient base, the "flexibility" of telehealth comes with the stress of running your own practice.

Billing model: Medicare or private? The billing model determines your per-consult revenue and overall earning potential. Private billing in specialist areas consistently outperforms Medicare billing for GP income. See our detailed breakdown in GP Telehealth Pay Rates Australia.

Split percentage: What percentage of billings do you keep? The industry standard for telehealth GP contractors is 60–70%. Be cautious of platforms advertising very high splits (80%+) — the maths usually means they're not investing in patient acquisition, which means you'll have empty calendar slots.

Clinical governance: Does the platform have proper clinical governance frameworks? This includes treatment protocols, peer support networks, clinical audit processes, prescribing guidelines, and incident management. AHPRA expects the same clinical standards in telehealth as in face-to-face practice — and you should too.

Technology platform: What practice management system is used? Common platforms include Halaxy, Best Practice, and MedicalDirector. The platform should handle video consultations, clinical notes, prescribing (electronic prescriptions via eRx), billing, and patient communications in an integrated environment.

Flexibility: Can you genuinely choose your own hours? How much notice is required to change your schedule? Is there a minimum hours commitment? The best platforms offer genuine flexibility with reasonable minimums (typically 5–10 hours per week).

Contract terms: Is there a lock-in period? What are the termination provisions? Most GP telehealth arrangements should be independent contractor agreements with reasonable notice periods and no restrictive covenants. Seek legal advice before signing — the AMA provides guidance on contractor agreements for doctors.

Setting Up Your Home Office

A professional telehealth setup doesn't require significant investment, but getting the basics right matters for patient experience, clinical quality, and your own comfort:

Internet connection: Minimum 25 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload. An NBN connection on a plan of 50 Mbps or higher is recommended. Wired ethernet is preferable to WiFi for reliability during consultations.

Camera and lighting: An external webcam (1080p minimum — Logitech C920/C922 or similar) positioned at eye level produces a dramatically more professional appearance than a laptop webcam. Ring lights or desk lamps positioned in front of you (not behind) eliminate shadows and ensure patients can see you clearly.

Audio: A dedicated headset with microphone (noise-cancelling preferred) or a quality desk microphone. Built-in laptop microphones pick up ambient noise and reduce audio clarity. Clear communication is essential for clinical assessment.

Background: Clean, professional, and free of distracting personal items. A neutral wall, bookshelf, or virtual background is ideal. Some platforms provide branded virtual backgrounds.

Space: A private, quiet room with a door you can close. Patient confidentiality requires that consultations cannot be overheard. This is a non-negotiable requirement under Australian Privacy Act obligations and AHPRA standards.

Medicare Compliance for Telehealth

Understanding Medicare requirements is essential for GPs working in telehealth. Key compliance points include:

Eligible practitioner status: To claim MBS telehealth items, the practitioner must meet the "eligible practitioner" definition under the Health Insurance Act. This generally requires vocationally registered (VR) status or recognition as a GP registrar on an approved training pathway.

Video vs phone: MBS distinguishes between video consultations and phone consultations, with different item numbers for each. Video consultations generally attract higher rebates and are clinically preferable where possible.

Existing relationship requirements: Some MBS items require an existing clinical relationship with the patient. The specific requirements vary by item number and have been modified several times since the pandemic-era telehealth expansion. Consult the current MBS guidelines for the latest requirements.

Private billing alternative: Many specialist telehealth clinics — including those in the Telehealth Australia Group network — bill entirely privately, which simplifies the compliance landscape. The GP is not claiming MBS items, so the Medicare eligibility requirements don't apply. The patient pays a private fee and may claim any applicable Medicare rebate themselves.

Building a Sustainable Telehealth Career

Telehealth isn't just a side gig — for many GPs, it's becoming the centrepiece of their professional life. The GPs who build the most sustainable and satisfying telehealth careers tend to:

Invest in CPD relevant to their specialist area. If you're consulting in ADHD, maintain your ADHD-specific education. If you're doing weight management, stay current with GLP-1 research and guidelines. The RACGP CPD program allows considerable flexibility in choosing learning activities that align with your practice focus.

Maintain professional connections. Telehealth can be isolating. Seek out peer support groups, participate in clinical meetings within your network, and maintain relationships with colleagues. Many specialist networks facilitate regular GP-to-GP case discussions and peer review sessions.

Set boundaries. The flexibility of telehealth is a double-edged sword. Without a commute or fixed clinic hours, work can bleed into personal time. Establish clear start and end times, create a dedicated workspace, and protect your off-hours.

Think long-term about scope. The telehealth landscape is expanding. New condition verticals are opening, new states are liberalising prescribing regulations, and the technology is continuously improving. Position yourself in areas of growing demand rather than shrinking margins.

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