Here’s a concise summary of the main Australian telehealth / MBS billing changes that took effect (or are due to take effect) in 2025, with practical implications and sources.

Key changes (dates included)

• From 1 March 2025: the MBS item set was amended and “telehealth attendances” terminology was updated so telehealth now explicitly covers video and phone services; a range of MBS item changes were implemented on this date. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• From 1 November 2025: the “established clinical relationship” requirement will be applied to Nurse Practitioner (NP) telehealth MBS items (so patients must have had a face-to-face consultation with that NP or another practitioner at the same practice in the prior 12 months, unless an exemption applies). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• From 1 November 2025: GP telehealth eligibility will be extended so that a patient can access MBS‑rebatable GP telehealth if they either meet the established clinical relationship requirement or are receiving the telehealth service from a GP at their registered MyMedicare practice (i.e., MyMedicare registration provides an alternative pathway). (AMA.com.au)
• Other MBS changes from 1 March 2025: a broader package of item amendments (including removal of the former “85% out of hospital rebate” for over 800 items and changes to various professional groups’ items). These are part of the March 1 MBS update. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

Who is exempt from the “established clinical relationship” rule

• Exemptions that continue to apply include: children under 12 months; people who are homeless; patients at Aboriginal Medical Services / Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services; people isolating because of COVID-19 or public health orders; patients affected by natural disaster; and consultations about blood‑borne viruses or sexual/reproductive health (these exemptions were described alongside the November 2025 rule changes). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

Practical implications

• Clinics and providers should update intake/eligibility checks to confirm either (a) an established clinical relationship within 12 months, or (b) a patient’s MyMedicare registration with that practice before claiming MBS rebates for GP (and from Nov 1, NP) telehealth items. This simplifies eligibility in some cases but requires robust practice records. (AMA.com.au)
• NPs who have been providing telehealth to new or one-off patients will need to adjust workflows (or ensure appropriate exemptions apply) once the NP rule is active from 1 November 2025. (AMA.com.au)
• Billing systems and practice management software should be reviewed to reflect the March 1 MBS item changes (item numbers, video vs phone nomenclature, and co‑claiming rules where amended). Check with your software vendor and update templates and staff training. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

Recommended actions (short checklist)

• Confirm the exact MBS item numbers and explanatory notes in your practice MBS reference (MBS Online / Services Australia) and update billing templates. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• Add MyMedicare registration verification steps to telehealth bookings and scripts for reception/staff. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• For NPs: review patient lists and identify any patients who would no longer meet the established-relationship requirement; plan for face‑to‑face reviews or check exemption criteria. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• If you use third‑party telehealth platforms, confirm that video/phone encounter metadata and documentation meet MBS requirements for claiming. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

Where to read the official details (authoritative sources)

• Services Australia / MBS Online — the March 1, 2025 MBS changes and ongoing MBS item details. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
• Department of Health and Aged Care / professional bodies (AMA, RACGP) — for policy announcements and implementation guidance about the established clinical relationship and MyMedicare changes. (AMA.com.au)

If you’d like, I can:

• pull the exact MBS item numbers and the explanatory notes for the GP and NP telehealth items that changed (I’ll fetch directly from MBS Online and list them), or
• create a short template script for reception staff to verify MyMedicare registration and telehealth eligibility.

Which of those would you prefer?