Here’s a concise guide to finding and using safe telehealth services in Australia — what’s allowed, how to choose a reliable provider, privacy and prescribing risks, and practical tips.

Key points (what the rules and regulators say)

• Medicare covers video and phone telehealth for many practitioners (GPs, specialists, nurse practitioners, allied health) under permanent MBS telehealth items; video is preferred but phone is allowed where clinically appropriate. Health professionals must meet the same clinical standards as face‑to‑face care. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• Use trusted public services (eg, Healthdirect) for general triage and to find registered providers — Healthdirect follows Commonwealth privacy law and publishes clear privacy terms. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• Regulators (AHPRA, Medical Board, TGA) have warned about unsafe telehealth practices: prescribing without an adequate real‑time consultation, extremely short consults, or AI-only interactions are red flags and may trigger investigations. Be cautious with services that promise prescriptions with minimal or no real clinician contact. (theguardian.com)

How to choose a safe telehealth service — quick checklist

• Practitioner registration: confirm the clinician is registered with AHPRA (ask their full name and check the AHPRA register). If they refuse to give details, walk away. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• Medicare eligibility and billing: if you want a rebate, check the service uses MBS telehealth items and whether your consultation is eligible for a Medicare claim (Services Australia explains who and when telehealth can be claimed). (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• Real-time interaction: ensure consultations are live (video preferred). Be wary of platforms that issue prescriptions without a live video/phone consult or that rely solely on forms/AI. (theguardian.com)
• Privacy and security: read the provider’s privacy policy — check how they store/transmit your health data, whether they comply with the Privacy Act and My Health Record integration options. Government‑linked services (eg, Healthdirect) follow clear rules. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• Transparent fees and follow‑up: the provider should clearly state fees, rebates, and availability for follow‑up or referral to face‑to‑face care if needed.
• Appropriate scope of care: telehealth is excellent for many consultations (follow-ups, some mental‑health care, triage, some chronic care), but not suitable for hands‑on exams or emergencies — reputable services will tell you this.

Red flags to avoid

• Prescriptions issued instantly without a live clinician, especially for controlled medicines, nicotine vapes or cosmetic injectables. (Regulators have investigated such practices.) (theguardian.com)
• Consultations that last only seconds or are clearly scripted; lack of medical history review or refusal to consider in‑person review when necessary. (theguardian.com)
• No contact details, no registration details, opaque terms about data sharing, or a business model focused only on funneling prescriptions to a single pharmacy.

Practical steps to use telehealth safely

1. Use public/trusted entry points first: Healthdirect (for symptom triage and service finder) or your regular GP practice if they offer telehealth. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
2. Before booking, ask: “Are you registered with AHPRA? Can I claim this under Medicare (MBS item)?” Note whether the appointment is video or phone. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
3. At the start of the consult, confirm the clinician’s name, registration details, and that you’re speaking to them in real time. Ask how they will protect your privacy and where records will be stored. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
4. Get clear next steps: whether a script will be sent, how to get a follow‑up or an urgent face‑to‑face review, and how to access your consultation notes or referral letters.
5. If you’re offered only an automated questionnaire or an instant prescription without speaking to a clinician, decline and contact a different provider or Healthdirect for triage.

When telehealth is not appropriate

• Medical emergencies, urgent severe symptoms, or issues requiring physical examination (eg, acute abdominal pain, severe breathing difficulty, suspected stroke/heart attack) — call 000 (triple zero) or go to emergency. Telehealth is for non‑emergent care or follow‑up where safe.

If something feels unsafe or you suspect poor practice

• Raise the issue with the clinician or the service’s complaints channel. If unresolved, complain to AHPRA (for practitioner conduct) or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for privacy breaches. You can also contact Services Australia about Medicare billing concerns. (Healthdirect.gov.au)

Useful links (official sources)

• Services Australia / Medicare telehealth rules and MBS telehealth items. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• Healthdirect (symptom checker, service finder, privacy info). (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• News/regulatory reporting on unsafe telehealth prescribing practices and regulator scrutiny (context on common risks). (theguardian.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• help you check a specific telehealth provider’s public information (name, website, privacy policy) for red flags, or
• give a short script of the questions to ask before and during a telehealth consult.

Which would you prefer?