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The average Australian spends 20 minutes in a GP waiting room — and that's after waiting days for an appointment. Here's how telehealth changes the equation.
For straightforward needs like medical certificates, simple illnesses, and repeat prescriptions, telehealth saves significant time and hassle. For complex issues or when you need physical assessment, a clinic visit is still the better choice. The good news: you don't have to choose one or the other.
Time, money, and health trade-offs most people don't think about.
The financial cost of seeing a GP is just the start. The average GP visit in Australia takes about two hours from door to door — factoring in travel time, parking, the waiting room, the consultation itself, and any pharmacy stop afterwards. For someone on an average wage, those two hours represent $60-80 in lost earnings or productive time.
Then there are the less obvious costs: arranging childcare, rescheduling meetings, using up personal leave. For shift workers, a midday GP appointment might mean losing an entire shift. For small business owners, being away from work for two hours can have ripple effects. The waiting room isn't free — you're just paying in time instead of money.
None of this means GP visits aren't worth it. For complex issues, ongoing care, and physical examinations, they absolutely are. But for a medical certificate or a repeat prescription, the two-hour investment can feel disproportionate to the clinical need.
GP waiting rooms are, by design, places where sick people congregate. During flu season, a waiting room visit carries a measurable risk of picking up something new. Research has shown that respiratory viruses can spread in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation — and while many clinics have improved their airflow since COVID, the fundamental physics hasn't changed.
For immunocompromised patients, the elderly, or pregnant women, this isn't a trivial concern. Telehealth removes the exposure entirely. You consult from your own environment, on your own terms, without sitting next to someone who's coughing into the shared magazine pile.
Australia's GP shortage is well-documented. In 2024, the average wait for a GP appointment was 4-7 days in metro areas and significantly longer in rural and regional Australia. Some towns have no GP at all. Telehealth doesn't fix the doctor shortage, but it does remove the geographic barrier — a patient in rural Queensland has the same access to telehealth as someone in Sydney's CBD.
Accessibility matters beyond geography too. People with mobility limitations, those without reliable transport, parents with young children, and workers on inflexible rosters all face barriers to in-person care. Telehealth lowers those barriers without requiring anyone to build a new clinic or hire another receptionist.
The equity argument is real: if your only options are a GP with a two-week wait or paying $20-30 for a same-day telehealth consultation, the ability to access care at all becomes the defining factor. A system that only works during business hours for people who can leave work isn't serving everyone.
All clinical decisions are made by AHPRA-registered doctors following our clinical governance framework. We never automate clinical decisions.
For a typical medical certificate, telehealth takes about 10 minutes to complete the form, then you wait for the doctor's response (usually under an hour). Compare this to days waiting for a GP appointment, plus travel and waiting room time.
That depends on your situation. If your time is valuable and you need care quickly, paying $20-30 for telehealth can be worth it. If cost is your main concern and you can wait, a bulk-billed GP is the cheaper option.
That's fine — telehealth doctors will tell you if they think you need in-person care. You're not locked in. Many people use telehealth for triage — if it's simple, sorted. If not, they'll guide you to the right care.
We recommend having a regular GP for ongoing care, chronic conditions, and comprehensive health management. Telehealth is best for convenience and acute issues, not as a replacement for regular preventive care.
The waiting room is not part of the clinical assessment — it's just where you sit before it happens. The quality of care depends on the doctor, not the chair you waited in. For conditions suitable for remote assessment, telehealth doctors apply the same clinical standards as in-person doctors.
Absolutely — and this is where telehealth really shines. If the nearest GP is a 90-minute drive, telehealth removes a significant barrier to getting care. You just need an internet connection. Many rural Australians have made telehealth their first port of call for straightforward issues.
It's a legitimate concern. GP waiting rooms can expose you to other sick patients, which is particularly relevant during flu season or respiratory illness outbreaks. Telehealth eliminates this risk entirely. If you're already unwell or immunocompromised, avoiding a waiting room has clear clinical benefits.
A responsible telehealth service includes safety-netting advice — what to watch for and when to seek in-person or emergency care. If your condition worsens, you should see a GP or attend an emergency department. Telehealth is a complement to the healthcare system, not a walled garden.
Yes. Telehealth consultations create a clinical record that includes your symptoms, the doctor's assessment, and any treatment or referrals. These records can be shared with your GP if needed. Some services also provide consultation summaries you can keep for your own records.
Yes. Telehealth doctors can write referrals to specialists, pathology, and imaging. The referral is as valid as one from an in-person visit. However, the specialist may still require you to attend in person — that depends on the specialist's own practice.
For asynchronous telehealth services like InstantMed, you just need a device with a web browser and an internet connection. No special software, no video calls, no app downloads. You fill in a form, a doctor reviews it, and you get your result. Simpler than most people expect.
Most private health insurance policies don't cover GP consultations (in-person or telehealth) under their extras cover. However, some policies offer telehealth as a member benefit. Check with your insurer. For most people, telehealth is an out-of-pocket cost that competes on convenience rather than insurance coverage.
See why Australians choose InstantMed for their healthcare needs.
Get startedThis information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health. Content on this page has been reviewed by AHPRA-registered Australian doctors but does not replace a personalised medical consultation.