Short answer: Yes — online (telehealth) doctors can be legitimate in Australia, but legitimacy depends on the provider following Australian rules and being a registered practitioner. There are real benefits (access, convenience) and real risks (poor clinical practice, inappropriate prescribing, privacy/data concerns), so you should check a few things before using a service. (support.MIPS.com.au)

What makes an online doctor legitimate

• They are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold the appropriate registration/qualifications. You can check an individual clinician on AHPRA’s register. (support.MIPS.com.au)
• They follow the Medical Board of Australia’s telehealth guidance: real‑time interaction is required for safe prescribing and clinical decision‑making; relying solely on online questionnaires (asynchronous care) is discouraged except where there is an existing clinical relationship. (support.MIPS.com.au)
• If the service claims Medicare rebates, it must meet Medicare/MBS rules (for example, requirements about prior clinical relationships, geographic eligibility and the type of telehealth item). Recent MBS changes and rules affect which telehealth consults are rebated. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

Main risks reported

• Some online services historically relied on questionnaires and remote review only — regulators have warned against prescribing without real‑time consultation. Watch out for services that do that. (support.MIPS.com.au)
• Data privacy and commercial ownership of patient records have been raised as concerns when large corporate groups run telehealth/prescription services. Check the privacy policy and who owns/accesses your data. (theguardian.com)

How to tell a legitimate online doctor/service (quick checklist)

1. The clinician is listed on the AHPRA register (search by name). (support.MIPS.com.au)
2. The service requires a real‑time consultation (video or phone) for diagnosis/prescription rather than only an online form. (support.MIPS.com.au)
3. The clinician provides their name, specialty and Medicare provider number (if they claim a Medicare rebate). Verify via Services Australia guidance if necessary. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
4. Clear privacy policy that explains who owns and accesses your data and how it’s stored. (theguardian.com)
5. Transparent pricing, clear follow‑up arrangements and a way to get urgent/face‑to‑face care if needed.

When telehealth is appropriate

• Minor acute illnesses, medication refills (when clinically appropriate), follow‑up checks, mental‑health appointments and triage/advice are commonly and safely done via telehealth. More complex problems or symptoms needing physical examination usually require face‑to‑face care. (servicesaustralia.gov.au)

If you’re unsure about a particular service

• Look up the doctor on AHPRA, read the provider’s telehealth and privacy information, and if necessary ask the service whether the consult will be real‑time and whether the clinician is practising in Australia with an Australian registration and provider number. Regulators (Medical Board, Services Australia) have flagged questionable models — if something seems to rely only on forms and instant prescriptions, be cautious. (support.MIPS.com.au)

If you want, I can:

• Show how to check an individual doctor on the AHPRA register, or
• Look up whether a named online service (e.g., InstantScripts, etc.) complies with these rules and what reviewers/regulators have said about it.