How to Get a Repeat Prescription Online in Australia

Managing ongoing medication should not mean rearranging your schedule every time you need a refill. Telehealth services now make it possible for Australians to get repeat prescriptions online from AHPRA-registered doctors. If you are on stable medication for a known condition, this guide explains how the process works, what medications qualify, and what to expect.

A repeat prescription allows you to collect additional supplies of a medication without seeing your doctor each time. When a doctor writes a prescription, they can authorise a certain number of repeats. Each repeat lets you get one more supply of the medication from your pharmacy.

However, once all repeats are used, you need a new prescription. This is where online repeat prescriptions come in. Instead of booking and travelling to a clinic, you can request a new prescription through a telehealth consultation.

• Submit a request through a telehealth platform, listing your current medications and the prescribing details
• Provide your medical history, current health status, and any changes since your last prescription
• An AHPRA-registered doctor reviews your request and medical information
• If the doctor is satisfied that the medication remains appropriate, they issue a new prescription
• You receive an eScript via SMS, which you can present at any pharmacy in Australia
• Alternatively, the doctor can fax or electronically send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy

Many common medications used for ongoing conditions can be prescribed through telehealth. The key factor is that the medication must be stable and well-established for your condition.

Commonly prescribed online:

• Blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and beta-blockers
• Cholesterol-lowering medications including statins
• Oral contraceptive pills and other hormonal contraceptives
• Asthma preventers and relievers
• Thyroid medications like thyroxine
• Diabetes medications including metformin
• Reflux and gastric medications such as proton pump inhibitors
• Antihistamines for chronic allergies
• Some antidepressants and anxiety medications for established patients

Medications that cannot be prescribed online:

• Schedule 8 controlled substances including opioid painkillers, stimulants, and benzodiazepines
• Medications that require regular blood monitoring, such as warfarin or lithium, without recent test results
• New psychiatric medications that have not been previously prescribed for you
• Medications that require a physical examination before renewal
• Any medication where the doctor determines an in-person assessment is necessary

An eScript, or electronic prescription, is a digital version of a traditional paper prescription. When your doctor issues an eScript, you receive an SMS on your phone containing a unique token or QR code. You present this at any pharmacy in Australia to have your medication dispensed.

• No paper prescription to lose or forget
• Can be used at any pharmacy in Australia, not just your regular one
• Stored on your phone so they are always accessible
• Include repeat information so the pharmacy knows how many supplies remain
• Can be managed through active script list apps for easy tracking

To make your online prescription request as smooth as possible, have the following information ready before you begin.

• The exact name, dosage, and form of your medication (for example, Atorvastatin 20mg tablets)
• How long you have been taking it and who originally prescribed it
• Any recent changes to your dose or how you take it
• Whether you have experienced any side effects or issues
• When you last had a face-to-face review with your regular doctor
• Any recent blood test results or monitoring outcomes, if applicable
• Your preferred pharmacy name and suburb, if you want the script sent directly

The cost of an online repeat prescription consultation varies between providers. Most telehealth services charge a flat consultation fee, typically ranging from $20 to $50. This covers the doctor's review and the prescription itself. Some providers include the consultation fee in a bundled service price.

The actual cost of the medication at the pharmacy is separate and depends on whether you have a concession card, whether the medication is on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), and your pharmacy's pricing.

While online prescriptions are convenient for routine refills, there are situations where seeing your regular GP is more appropriate.

• If you are starting a new medication for the first time
• If your condition has changed or your symptoms have worsened
• If you have not had a face-to-face review in over 12 months
• If your medication requires blood test monitoring and your results are overdue
• If you want to discuss adjusting your dose or switching medications
• If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding

Not automatic

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New symptoms, missed monitoring, high-risk medicines, or unclear history can pause a repeat request.

A telehealth doctor is making a real clinical decision, so a repeat is not automatic. Common reasons a request is paused, declined, or redirected to in-person care include:

• The medication needs monitoring - for example a blood test for thyroid medication, kidney function for some blood pressure medicines, or levels for lithium - and your results are overdue.
• Your condition appears to have changed, or you describe new or worsening symptoms that need assessment first.
• The request is for a Schedule 8 controlled medicine, which generally cannot be prescribed this way.
• You are asking for a dose change, a new medication, or a switch, which usually needs a fuller consultation.
• There is no record of a recent face-to-face review and the medicine needs periodic in-person oversight.
• Safety information is missing - allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, or other current medicines - and cannot be clarified.

If a request is declined, that is the safety system working, not poor service. The doctor should explain why and point you to the right next step, whether that is a blood test, a GP review, or urgent care. Ask what specifically is needed so your next request can be assessed quickly.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidises many prescription medications in Australia. Telehealth doctors can issue PBS prescriptions, meaning you pay the same subsidised price at the pharmacy as you would with a paper prescription from a face-to-face consultation. Concession card holders and Safety Net thresholds still apply.

• Set a reminder on your phone two weeks before your medication runs out
• Keep a list of all your current medications, including doses, in your phone
• Use an Active Script List through your pharmacy to track all your electronic prescriptions in one place
• Request your repeat prescription during business hours for faster turnaround
• Let the telehealth doctor know if you see multiple specialists, so they have the full picture

• Australian Digital Health Agency: Electronic prescriptions
• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: PBS co-payments
• Medical Board of Australia: Telehealth consultations with patients
• AHPRA: Register of practitioners
• TGA: Scheduling basics of medicines and chemicals