Below is a concise, up‑to‑date comparison of major online doctor / telehealth options in Australia (quick reference to help you choose the right service). I’ve focused on features people commonly care about: cost and Medicare, appointment type and wait time, prescriptions/referrals, bulk‑billing or low‑cost options, and suitability for urgent vs routine care.

Summary table (high level)

• Healthdirect (Virtual care clinics / government‑linked): urgent non‑life‑threatening care, no appointment often, usually no fee at point of care in available states, staffed by emergency‑trained clinicians; not a replacement for general GP continuity. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• GP2U (private online GP practice): video GP consults, prescriptions/referrals/notes, appointment booking, fees typically charged (prices vary; some Medicare rebates may apply for eligible services). Partners with pharmacies for same‑day pick up. (GP2U.com.au)
• Medmate (growing private telehealth platform / low‑cost option): large telehealth marketplace with low‑cost consultations advertised (news reports of $20 consult offers); aims to provide affordable and rapid access across metro and regional areas. (Recent coverage Aug 2025). (News.com.au)
• Other common options you may encounter: GP clinics offering their own telehealth (many local practices now offer video or phone consults), and insurer/retailer‑linked services (some pharmacies and health funds provide telehealth access or rebates). Healthdirect is the key government portal for urgent virtual care; GP2U is an established private telehealth clinic. (Healthdirect.gov.au)

Details and what matters when choosing

1. Who operates it and clinical scope

• Healthdirect virtual care clinics: government‑linked services offering urgent, non‑life‑threatening virtual care handled by emergency‑trained clinicians — useful for quick triage and urgent advice without an appointment where the service is available. Not designed primarily for long‑term GP continuity. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• GP2U: an Australian‑based dedicated online medical practice with registered GPs and some specialists available by video; provides scripts, referrals, pathology requests and medical certificates similar to an in‑person GP visit. (GP2U.com.au)
• Medmate (and similar private platforms): marketplace/clinic models that connect you with Australian GPs; some advertise very low consultation fees to improve access (news reports recently highlighted $20 consult promotions). Confirm current pricing on the provider site before booking. (News.com.au)

2. Cost, Medicare and bulk‑billing

• Healthdirect virtual care clinics: typically free to the user for virtual urgent care where available (government service). (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• GP2U: private fees for most GP video consults (examples on the site show typical fees and some services/process for Medicare rebates where eligible). Exact price depends on type and length of appointment. (GP2U.com.au)
• Medmate and other marketplace platforms: some advertise low flat fees (including promotional $20 offers reported in 2025); availability and bulk‑billing vary — check the provider’s booking page for whether your consultation is bulk‑billed or eligible for a Medicare rebate. (News.com.au)

3. Access, wait times and hours

• Healthdirect virtual care clinics: usually no appointment required; wait depends on demand but can be faster than ED for non‑life‑threatening issues. Available only in some states/regions. (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• GP2U and other private services: appointment booking (same‑day options common); wait times vary by provider and time of day — many advertise short waits and virtual waiting rooms. (GP2U.com.au)

4. Prescriptions, referrals and test ordering

• Most established Australian telehealth clinics (GP2U, Medmate, and many local GPs’ telehealth) can provide prescriptions, referrals and pathology requests when clinically appropriate; some integrate with local pharmacies for same‑day pick up or delivery. Healthdirect provides triage and can direct you to care; prescriptions/referrals depend on the clinician and service type. (GP2U.com.au)

5. Privacy, regulation and clinician credentials

• Reputable Australian telehealth providers use secure platforms and employ Australian‑registered doctors. Healthdirect is a government health service; GP2U states clinicians are credentialed and integrated into Australian health systems. Always confirm a provider displays clinician registration details and privacy practices. (GP2U.com.au)

Which to pick (practical guidance)

• If it feels urgent but not life‑threatening and you want a free/government option: try Healthdirect virtual care clinics (check state availability). (Healthdirect.gov.au)
• If you want a full GP consult (script, referral, continuity) with booked video time and don’t mind a fee: GP2U or your regular GP’s telehealth are solid choices. (GP2U.com.au)
• If cost is the main constraint and you want the lowest priced private consults: check Medmate and other marketplace platforms for current promotions (pricing can change; recent reports show $20 offers in 2025). Confirm bulk‑billing/Medicare eligibility on the booking page. (News.com.au)
• For continuity of care (ongoing conditions), try to use your usual GP’s telehealth where possible so records remain with the same practice.

Want me to:

• compare 3–5 specific providers side‑by‑side (price, hours, bulk‑billing, phone/app availability)? If so I’ll fetch and list current live prices and booking links.
• or search for bulk‑billing telehealth options near your postcode?

(If you want a specific provider comparison I can pull live pricing/appointment hours — say which providers you’re considering or I’ll fetch the top 5 nationally.)