Short answer: Sometimes — Medicare does subsidise telehealth (video and phone) but it isn’t automatically free. Whether you pay anything depends on the provider (they may bulk‑bill) and on the specific MBS item and your eligibility.

Key points:

• Medicare benefits are available for many telehealth video and telephone items (GPs, specialists, nurse practitioners, allied health where permitted). These telehealth MBS items are permanent. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• “Bulk‑billed” telehealth means no out‑of‑pocket cost to you. Clinics can also charge a gap (a fee above the Medicare rebate), so not all telehealth consultations are free — it depends on the practice’s billing policy. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• There are rules about who can use telehealth MBS items (for example many GPs can only offer telehealth to patients with an existing relationship unless an exemption applies). Video is preferred when clinically appropriate, and audio‑only items exist where appropriate. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

What to do:

• Ask the clinic when you book: will this telehealth consultation be bulk‑billed (no charge) or is there a gap fee?
• If you want, I can look up the exact MBS item rules that apply to your situation (for example GP vs specialist, video vs phone) — tell me which you need and I’ll fetch the details.