Note: Questions and answers in this article are general information based on common search queries and standard telehealth practice. They are not based on individual patient cases. For medical advice, consult an AHPRA-registered doctor.

Telehealth has become a normal part of Australian healthcare — but if you have not booked an online consultation before, it is reasonable to want to know what to expect, what to prepare, and what is appropriate to ask. This article is the launch of an ongoing series (“Ask a Doctor”) collecting common patient questions and answering them with input from AHPRA-registered doctors at MyLeaf, an Australian alternative medicine clinic.

These are not real patient consultations — they are general answers based on the most-searched queries and standard telehealth practice. Personal medical advice belongs in a consultation, not in an article.

Before the Consultation

What do I need to prepare for a telehealth consultation?
A short checklist: photo ID (and a Medicare card if you have one for identity confirmation only — MyLeaf consultations are not bulk-billed); a list of your current medications including supplements and over-the-counter products with dose and frequency; a brief medical history covering current diagnoses; a quiet, private space for the call; and a reliable phone or internet connection. About five minutes of pre-consultation prep makes a real difference to how productive the consultation feels.

Do I need a GP referral?
For MyLeaf consultations: typically no, you can book directly. For some specialist services: yes, a referral is required. For general practice telehealth: it depends on the service. If you are unsure, check with the specific clinic before booking — a referral that is not needed will not hurt, but a missing referral that is required can delay the consultation. See our FAQ for more.

How long is a typical consultation?
Initial consultations at MyLeaf typically run 20–30 minutes. Renewal or follow-up consultations are shorter — usually 10–15 minutes. Some services run shorter or longer depending on the type of consultation; the time is allocated to make sure you and your doctor have enough room for a useful clinical conversation, not the other way around.

Can I do a telehealth consultation from anywhere in Australia?
Yes. AHPRA-registered doctors can consult patients Australia-wide, including regional, rural, and remote locations. Phone consultations are an option for areas with limited internet, so you do not need video to access care. Distance is not a barrier — see our state guides for Brisbane and Queensland, Melbourne and Victoria, and Sydney and NSW for state-specific details.

During the Consultation

What questions will the doctor ask me?
Standard questions: the reason you booked the consultation; your medical history including current and past treatments; current medications including over-the-counter products and supplements; lifestyle context that is relevant to the clinical question; and any allergies or significant past reactions. The doctor will guide the conversation — you do not need to lead, just answer honestly.

What should I ask the doctor?
Five questions worth bringing to almost any consultation:

• “What are my treatment options?”
• “What are the risks and side effects most relevant to me?”
• “How will we measure whether the treatment is working?”
• “What is the follow-up plan?”
• “Who do I contact if I have questions afterwards?”

Take notes during the call. It is your consultation — using it well is reasonable, and your doctor will not be put off by you asking clarifying questions.

What happens if the doctor decides treatment is not suitable?
The doctor will explain the clinical reasoning, and may suggest alternatives — referral to a different type of specialist, further testing, or a different treatment approach. This is part of safe, evidence-based medicine. Not every consultation results in a prescription, and a doctor declining to prescribe is a clinical decision in your interest. MyLeaf’s refund policy: a refund is issued if you are determined to be ineligible (pre-consultation or during it); a refund is not issued for clinical denial of an eligible patient. See our pricing page for the full policy.

After the Consultation

When will I receive my treatment plan?
Usually the same day if a treatment was clinically appropriate. Documentation is provided digitally — typically by email within minutes to a few hours of the consultation ending. For dispensed items, same-day dispatch is typically available for orders processed before 2pm AEST, with standard delivery 1–3 business days from dispatch via Australia Post or StarTrack. For more on what happens next, see What to Expect After Your First Telehealth Consultation.

How do follow-ups work?
Most patients have a follow-up consultation within 4–8 weeks of starting a new treatment. Follow-ups are typically shorter (10–15 minutes) and lower cost ($39 at MyLeaf) than the initial consultation. Booking is through the same online portal, and same-day appointments are commonly available for renewals. Plan ahead — book your renewal before you run out, not after. See our pricing page.

What if I have side effects or concerns?
Contact your prescribing doctor — by patient portal message, email, or phone (1800 695 323, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm AEST). For urgent or serious symptoms, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Between-appointment messaging is for non-urgent questions; if your situation has changed substantially, book a follow-up consultation rather than messaging. For more on what to watch for, see Alternative Medicine Side Effects.

Privacy and Records

Is my consultation private?
Yes. Telehealth consultations are confidential. Notes and any recordings are kept securely in line with the Privacy Act 1988. Information is only shared with your consent, or where the law requires it (for example, in an emergency where another clinician needs to know your treatment for your safety).

How long are records kept?
Australian medical records for adult patients are typically retained for a minimum of 7 years (state legislation varies). You can request a copy of your records at any time — contact MyLeaf reception to arrange. Records can be transferred to another provider on request.

AHPRA, Medicare, and Insurance

Are MyLeaf doctors AHPRA-registered?
Yes. Every doctor consulting through MyLeaf is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can verify the registration of any Australian doctor at ahpra.gov.au. Our Medical Director is Dr Matthew Gartrell.

Will Medicare cover this?
Some general-practice telehealth has Medicare rebates for eligible Australians. Specialist telehealth services like MyLeaf are generally not bulk-billed, and a Medicare card does not affect the consultation fee. Check the specific consultation type and your eligibility before booking.

Does private health insurance cover telehealth?
Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Some insurers cover specific telehealth item numbers; others do not. Contact your insurer with the consultation item number after the appointment if applicable — they can confirm whether a rebate applies in your case.

For more general questions, see the full FAQ.

Next Steps

Preparation matters. A productive telehealth consultation comes from being ready with the practical things — medication list, medical history, ID, a quiet space — and from asking the right questions when the time comes. AHPRA-registered doctors are accountable, and your consultation is the place for personal medical advice. This article is general information; everything else is for the conversation.

Book a consultation, or read our pillar guide and Telehealth Consultation Cost in Australia first.

Questions and answers in this article are general information based on common search queries and standard telehealth practice. They are not based on individual patient cases. For medical advice, consult an AHPRA-registered doctor. For urgent or serious symptoms, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-01 by Dr Matthew Gartrell, Medical Director, MyLeaf. ABN 80 655 715 834.