Family-Focused Telehealth Options in Australia

Caring for kids can prove challenging at the best of times, but when they (or your whole family) are coming down with something, it can be hard to know the right course of action. This is often made worse by illness worsening after hours, when your GP practice may be closed.

Telehealth for families offers a convenient and accessible option, allowing you to get professional medical advice right from your home – without bundling up the kids for a trip to the emergency department. This convenient and quick all-hours access to advice on how to care for your family can help prevent worsening or at least make your loved ones more comfortable. It can also be your first step to checking whether you should seek urgent in-person assessment or treatment.

But telehealth can also be a good option for routine health matters such as medical certificates, repeat scripts or follow-ups for managing chronic conditions, even with paediatric doctors. Online consults via video or phone have shifted from a niche service to a mainstream option, especially when you need flexible, after-hours care that fits around your schedule.

In this guide, I’ll cover different types of providers and what to look for to ensure high-quality care, convenience and affordability.

Reduced travel stress, and not just for rural families. Often, visiting a paediatric specialist means driving long distances during peak traffic. Telehealth eliminates that journey, saving fuel, time and the hassle of arranging childcare for siblings at the same time.

School-day flexibility through a short video call, which can more easily fit around school drop-offs, activities, and pick-ups, meaning children miss fewer lessons for routine matters.

Immediate access during illness peaks, which often happen in the evenings or nights. When a child wakes with a fever at night or suddenly worsens, you can connect with a GP without waiting for the next morning for a clinic to open.

Support for working parents through after-hours slots that line up with standard work schedules more easily, reducing the need for unpaid leave.

Essentially, telehealth providers best suited to families fall into two main categories: specialised paediatric providers and comprehensive providers, ideally with 24/7 availability, some bulk billing, and GP consults or very highly rated levels of service. Below are some of my top picks.

Specialised Paediatric Providers

These providers focus exclusively on children, which means you can expect paediatric expertise, competent triage, and specialist follow-up. They also often offer bulkbilling or transparent fee structures.

virtualKIDS (NSW Health) – A 24 / 7 specialised, fully bulk-billed telehealth service for children ≤ 16 years in NSW. It acts as the first point of contact to triage sick kids outside regular clinic hours.

Telebaby Australia – Offers specialist paediatric telehealth for infants and also has after-hours appointments with a flatfee unlimited access model for parents’ peace of mind.

Children's Health Hub – Provides dedicated paediatric telehealth and in-person clinics, making it a great option for continuity of care. Medicare rebates apply when the child has attended an in-person visit in the preceding 12 months.

Comprehensive Family-Focused Providers

These providers deliver a full range of GP services, from routine check-ups to repeat prescriptions, medical certificates and after-hours care. They are suitable for the entire family, often with bulkbilling options that keep out-of-pocket costs low.

Prime Medic – High-quality after-hours GPs, some of whom bulk bill; families can book evening or weekend appointments.

Hola Health – 24 / 7 video consultations with AHPRA-registered doctors within 15 minutes from booking; many services are bulkbilled, including after-hours consults. Medication delivery within hours, either through Hola Health or your local pharmacy via Hola Meds.

Abby Health – Fully bulkbilled GP telehealth consults with extended opening hours including weekends and evenings; fast appointments, prescriptions and medical certificates for families. The AI-assisted booking flow and patient-first approach make it a stand-out.

For additional providers, check Medicompare’s provider reviews. You can look for 24/7 care, bulk billing, GP telehealth, medication delivery, etc.

Whether you prefer a specialised paediatric service or a comprehensive, bulk-billed GP platform, matching the provider to your family’s needs is the most important part. For quick triage and health advice or medication for a mildly ill child, a specialised service like virtualKIDS may be ideal. For routine family check-ups, bulk-billed GP platforms such as Abby Health are a great choice. If cost is a major concern, bulk billing is available at all hours online, although only a few providers fully bulk bill, like 13SICK, NewDoc and Abby Health.  The most important part, perhaps, is to know when to seek in-person care: For serious injuries, emergencies, quickly escalating conditions, or when a physical examination is crucial, don’t rely on telehealth.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice. Please choose your provider with care. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional regarding any health-related questions or concerns.