Is telehealth bulk billed in Australia?
Yes — but it depends on the provider. Bulk billing is not the norm in Australian telehealth: many online doctor services charge a private fee for every consultation, or bulk bill only limited hours or patient groups. Clinic Online does bulk bill — most Australians with a valid Medicare card pay $0 out of pocket for eligible GP consultations, with Medicare covering the full fee. Eligibility is checked automatically when you request a consult, and you'll know you're bulk billed before choosing your consult type.
What bulk billing actually means
Bulk billing means the doctor bills Medicare directly for the full cost of the consultation. There is no gap fee and nothing to pay on the day — the appointment costs you $0 out of pocket.
Not every telehealth service bulk bills. Some charge a private fee for every consultation, and others bulk bill only during limited hours or for specific patient groups, so it's worth checking before you book.
Who is bulk billed at Clinic Online
Clinic Online bulk bills eligible consultations across several categories:
- General GP consultations — most Australians with a valid Medicare card qualify, and you'll know before choosing your consult type.
- Sexual health consultations — bulk billed at any time of day for every Medicare card holder.
- Children under 12 months of age — bulk billed at any time.
- Urgent after-hours care from 11pm — bulk billed for every Medicare card holder.
Weight-loss consultations are the exception: they are not bulk billed and are charged at a flat $59.
How eligibility is checked
You don't need to work anything out yourself. When you request a consultation, your bulk-billing eligibility is checked automatically, and you'll know before the consult whether you're bulk billed. There are no forms to complete, and no concession card is required for the general bulk-billing categories.
What if I'm not eligible?
If your consultation isn't bulk billed, Clinic Online charges a transparent private fee: $45 for consultations up to 10 minutes, or $59 beyond 10 minutes. There are no subscriptions, memberships or hidden extras, and anything your GP issues during the consult — e-scripts, medical certificates, referrals — is included in that single fee.