Understanding GP Telehealth Consults versus AHPRA-Registered Doctor or NP Telehealth Services

Ever wondered what the difference is between a telehealth consult with an AHPRA-registered healthcare professional and a GP? It can get a little confusing when you are clicking through different telehealth provider sites, as some mention AHPRA-registered doctors, others GP telehealth and still others health professionals registered with the AHPRA. Perhaps you wonder not only what the difference is but also why it matters. Of course, telehealth is telehealth, or is it? This guide explains the main differences that matter to you, as a patient, and how to understand the wording on telehealth providers’ websites.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [1] is the professional body that regulates registered health practitioners in Australia. It works with 15 National Boards, such as the Medical Board of Australia, to ensure a high standard of national health care through ensuring all registered practitioners are qualified and competent. This process includes handling complaints and making recommendations for safe practice.

As registered practitioners include nurses, doctors and General Practitioners (GPs) [2], technically, whenever a telehealth provider mentions consultations with AHPRA-registered professionals, they could include all three professions; when they mention AHPRA-registered doctors, this could include GPs and other doctors. This can be confusing in practice.

What you need to know is that you can expect a higher level of training and accreditation for general telehealth consultations when you have a GP telehealth consult. However, this does not mean that nurse practitioners or other doctors are inferior. Some patients prefer often warm, caring and practically minded NPs, but nurses cannot provide certain services, such as mental health assessments or treatment plans, for example.

With Your Regular GP

A GP telehealth appointment is essentially a virtual version of the face-to-face visit you would have with your regular doctor. If you have a telehealth consult with your regular GP, it is the closest you can come to an in-person appointment, due to their existing relationship with you and the added layer of continuity of care. Your doctor is already familiar with your allergies, chronic conditions and existing treatment plans or specific preferences and therefore less likely to miss anything or need your help to be brought up to speed. These GP telehealth consultations help provide familiar, personable care, even when you can’t make it to the clinic in person.

Having regular in-person appointments with your own GP or another doctor at their practice also helps unlock comprehensive telehealth benefits through Medicare. The Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) allows for bulk billing for telehealth items with a GP whose practice you have visited in the previous 12 months. You can also register with a practice and receive access to these bulk-billed MBS items.

With a GP at a Private Telehealth Provider

When you have a GP telehealth consult with a GP at a telehealth provider, rather than your regular GP, you can still benefit from some of the same benefits. The way the MBS works, certain services can be bulk-billed, including mental health assessments for mental health treatment plans, sexual health consultations, infant consults, and after-hours care. However, not every telehealth provider will offer these services under the MBS; many charge privately. You may also not experience the same benefits in terms of an established rapport and continuity of care as you would with your regular GP.

That said, a GP telehealth consult via a telehealth provider is still subject to the same regulations as in-person consults, which means you can expect high-quality care delivered by a well-trained GP. These consults may require more assistance from you, for example, by filling in the GP on any allergies, personal preferences or chronic conditions, especially where the consulting doctor does not have access to your full files through MyHealthRecord.

All GPs in Australia are registered with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) [3], adding another layer of oversight and guaranteed adherence to best practice.

Because the GP already has access to your full health record, they can make informed decisions about medication adjustments, order pathology tests, or arrange specialist referrals—all while keeping the process covered by Medicare when the eligibility criteria are met.

As mentioned, “AHPRAregistered” simply means the practitioner holds a current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, ensuring they meet national safety and competency standards. This group includes specialists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and some allied health professionals, as well as GPs. When an on-demand telehealth platform states consults are with AHPRA-registered healthcare professionals, you don’t know what kind you will get, unless you can choose during the booking process. (This is offered by some of the most popular telehealth providers, including the bulk-billed Abby Health.)

As all of them are qualified to deliver high-quality healthcare, this may not matter to you. However, when it comes to bulk billing and level of expertise, this can make a big difference. For example, bulk billing is generally not rebateable unless the consultation is delivered by a GP or falls under other MBS items. Most telehealth providers who do not specialise in GP telehealth won’t offer bulk billing across the board, even if they may offer more affordable NP consults, bulk-billed after-hour consults or free mental health care.

To summarise, if the AHPRA-registered health professional is not a GP, you may not get the same level of experience and expertise, a lower continuity of care, and reduced access to bulk billing.

Most services offering these types of consults focus more on speed, minor ailments, medical certificates, eScripst, quick specialist opinions, and after-hours care, as they cannot provide the same level of care as a GP for complex or chronic conditions.

• Safety and Quality: The Medical Board of Australia expects all practitioners to act responsibly. While both GP and non-GP telehealth services can issue e-scripts and referrals, the Board cautions against prescribing solely on the basis of a questionnaire without a real-time conversation. A GP who knows your history can better assess risks and drug interactions. They are also often trained and educated to a higher standard – across general practice, as opposed to specialised.
• Cost to the Patient: Medicare rebates significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. If you qualify for a GP telehealth rebate, you’ll pay the same as a regular in-person visit. Privatebill services can be more expensive, especially if multiple follow-ups are needed.
• Long-term Management: Chronic conditions benefit from a consistent care plan. A GP can track trends over time, adjust treatment, and coordinate with other health professionals. An AHPRA-registered telehealth provider rarely offers the infrastructure, availability, or continuity of care for ongoing monitoring.

• If you have a chronic condition, a mental health treatment plan, or need regular prescription refills, start by checking whether your GP offers telehealth. Confirm they’ve seen you in person within the past year to secure the Medicare rebate.
• If you need a quick medical certificate, a short-term prescription, or specialist advice that isn’t urgent, an on-demand AHPRA-registered provider, such as Hola Health or Healthy Life, can be a fast, convenient option. Just be aware that you’ll likely be charged privately and that the clinician may not have full access to your health records.
• When in doubt, ask your regular GP whether they can handle the issue remotely or refer you to a specialist. Most practices are happy to guide you toward the safest and most cost-effective pathway.
• For a convenient, accessible solution, you could select a GP telehealth provider with the help of MediCompare, such as Our Sage, Prime Medic or Abby Health. This allows you to access either affordable private fees or some bulk billing, while still ensuring a high quality of care and a broad knowledge base in your consulting doctor.

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.

[1] https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-Ahpra/What-We-Do.aspx
[2] https://www.racgp.org.au/
[3] https://www.acrrm.org.au/