Medically reviewed by Dr Nelson Lau, MBBS, FRACGP, GP and Digital Health Specialist | Last updated: August 2026
Compare Online Script Services in Australia
Compare selected online prescription services in Australia, including consultation costs, opening hours, bulk billing, and eScripts options. Information is based on publicly available provider information.
Last verified: August 2026. We review this comparison at least every 6 months — always confirm current details directly with the provider before booking.
Can you get a prescription online in Australia?
Yes. A doctor may issue an online prescription following a telehealth consultation if they determine that prescribing is clinically appropriate.
Is a script valid if issued online?
Yes, if issued after a clinical assessment and video consultation by an AHPRA-registered doctor.
What do I need to get an online prescription?
You will need a Medicare card or an IHI number for the consultation. Medicare cardholders already have an IHI automatically linked to their Medicare record; IHI application is mainly relevant for non-Medicare patients.
Do Australian pharmacies accept eScripts?
Yes. Many pharmacies in Australia accept eScript or an online script. You will need to present the QR code on the script to the pharmacist. They will scan the code and dispense meds.
What should I compare when choosing an online script service?
A few things worth checking before you book, whichever service you choose.
Hola Health is one of the Australian telehealth providers included in this comparison. Hola provides online GP consultations and eScripts where clinically appropriate.
Side-by-Side Comparison: 5 providers
5 Australian telehealth providers compared
Last checked in August 2026. Price key: $ Budget (under $20) · $$ Mid ($20–$40) · $$$ Premium ($40+). Bands show each provider’s lowest listed fee at the time — a guide only, not the exact price. Selected providers offering online prescriptions in Australia, listed alphabetically. Not all providers are included — check individual providers’ websites for others.
| Provider | Script fee (private) | Bulk billed? | Hours | Wait time (stated) | Disclaimer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hola Health This website | $ Budget (under $20) | After-hours urgent care only* | 24/7, 365 days | Typically within 15 minutes (Based on typical wait times; and own insight) | Current platform offering verified as of August 2026. Prices and eligibility subject to terms at hola.health. |
| hub.health | $$ Mid ($20–$40) | No | 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days | Not publicly stated | Verified in August 2026. Prices and service details may change. Please refer to hub.health for the latest information. |
| Our Sage | $$ Mid to Premium ($20–$40+) | No | 7:00 am to 11:00 pm AEDT/AEST daily | Usually called within 15 minutes | Verified in August 2026. Prices and service details may change. Please refer to oursage.com.au for the latest information. |
| Qoctor | $$ Mid ($20–$40) | No | 8:30 am to 10:00 pm AEDT/AEST | 15 minute priority booking | Verified in August 2026. Prices and service details may change. Please refer to qoctor.com.au for the latest information. |
| Updoc | Premium ($40+) (subscription or single consult) | No | Partner Doctors available 6am–midnight. Requests available 24/7 | Within 1 hour, on average | Verified in August 2026. Prices and service details may change. Please refer to updoc.com.au for the latest information. |
This table uses public info from each provider’s own site, checked in August 2026. It hasn’t been checked since. Prices, hours and bulk billing can change any time — always confirm directly with the provider first. It is written for patients – not for medical professionals – and draws only on publicly listed information from each provider’s own website, verified in August 2026. This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. This comparison is produced and published by Hola Health, which appears in the table below. We don’t represent or hold any affiliation with the other platforms listed.
Real examples
Real questions people ask when comparing scripts online
Is Hola Health's eScript service better than other providers?
It depends on what you need. Hola Health runs 24/7, 365 days a year, with consultations at a budget-tier fee. Whether that’s the right fit depends on what you need — check the table above against your own priorities, like hours or bulk billing eligibility.
Which service is fastest for an online script?
Several providers, including Hola Health, state wait times of around 15 minutes or less. Actual wait times can shift with demand and time of day, so treat stated times as a guide, not a guarantee.
I need a script refill at 2am and I'm an eligible Medicare cardholder — what should I check?
If you need care at 2am, check two things separately: whether the provider is open and whether bulk billing applies at that time. A provider being available 24/7 does not necessarily mean every service is bulk billed 24/7.
Say you need a script refill for a medication you’re already on. With Hola Health: a Budget-tier consultation fee, no subscription required, script delivered by SMS usually within minutes of approval. If you’re an eligible Medicare cardholder booking after-hours urgent care (11pm–6:45am), the consultation is bulk billed* — $0 out of pocket.
Should I use a subscription service or pay per script?
If you only need a script occasionally, a per-item fee (like Hola’s) usually works out cheaper. If you need repeat scripts often, a monthly subscription may cost less over time.
Do I need to see the same doctor each time for a repeat script?
No. Repeat scripts and script renewals via telehealth don’t require seeing the same doctor as your original prescription — an AHPRA-registered doctor on the platform can review your request, as long as they have enough information to safely assess it.
Can I switch providers if one doesn't have what I need?
Yes. There’s no lock-in between these services. If one provider doesn’t offer a service type you need, you’re free to use a different one for that visit.
What if it's weekend and too late to find a GP near me?
You have a few choices. For example, say it’s 1 am. You need an urgent script refill. You have a Medicare card. First, check which services are actually open at 1am — not every “24/7” listing works the same way. From the table above, several providers run genuine 24/7 hours.
Next, check bulk billing. This depends on the exact service and time, not just the hour on the clock. “After-hours” bulk billing has its own rules — it’s worth confirming directly with the provider rather than assuming.
Bulk billing - what it actually means in 2026
In plain words: When a provider bulk-bills, they charge Medicare directly. You pay nothing out of pocket. You agree to this at booking or during your consult.
What you usually need to qualify
- A valid Medicare card.
- In most cases: a face-to-face consultation with a GP in the last 12 months (the “12-month rule”). This requirement was tightened after temporary COVID-era expansions ended.
- Exceptions to the 12-month rule include: mental health treatment plan consultations, sexual and reproductive health items, and some other specific MBS items.
- The consulting practitioner must be an “eligible telehealth practitioner” under current MBS rules – typically a GP or specialist, not every AHPRA-registered clinician.
Important: Medicare’s telehealth bulk billing rules have changed more than once since 2020. A service that bulk-billed broadly in the past may not now. If you’re not sure your visit qualifies, ask the provider or check servicesaustralia.gov.au.
What about non-Medicare patients?
International visitors, temporary visa holders, and some permanent residents may not have Medicare. In these cases, private fees apply regardless of the provider. Most platforms accept private patients – Hola Health, OurSage and others all accept non-Medicare bookings at their standard private rates. You will need at least an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) to receive an eScript in Australia.
Is telehealth regulated in Australia?
Yes. Every legitimate provider typically uses AHPRA-registered doctors or nurse practitioners, follows TGA rules on what can be prescribed, and complies with the Privacy Act when handling your health records. Doctors also follow RACGP and Medical Board guidance on when telehealth is and isn’t appropriate.
How do I know a telehealth doctor is actually registered?
You can check any doctor’s AHPRA registration directly at ahpra.gov.au — just search their name or provider number. Hola Health, for example, mentions doctors’ AHPRA numbers in doctor profiles listed on the website.
How do I know a telehealth platform is trustworthy and reliable?
Two things are worth checking: privacy and technical reliability.
For privacy, every legitimate Australian telehealth provider must comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Before booking, review the provider’s privacy policy to understand how your health information is collected, stored, used and disclosed. Check whether the provider explains its security measures and where health information is stored.
For reliability, a dropped call adds stress when you’re already unwell. Most services work through a browser; some — including Hola Health — also offer a dedicated app, which can be more stable on mobile.
Script Types
Repeat scripts vs. script renewal vs. new prescription
Repeat script
A pre-approved refill attached to your original script. No new consult needed — your pharmacist sends the next one automatically, or you get it through your Active Script List (ASL). Your doctor sets how many repeats you get.
Script refill
Needed once your repeats run out, or your script expires (after 12 months) — even if you've taken the medicine for years. This needs a fresh consult.
New prescription
For a medicine you haven't had before. This needs a full assessment. Your doctor may ask more questions, or for some medicines, send you in for an in-person visit.
Cost Breakdown
Pricing models explained
Not every provider offers the same pricing models.
Per-product model
Pay separately for each item
Single-item visits
Subscription model
Monthly fee, set inclusions
Frequent users each month
Bulk billing
How it works
Medicare covered; $0 out-of-pocket
Valid Medicare card; rules apply
What the data shows
| Statistic | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australians who had a telehealth GP consultation in 2024-25 | 18.5% | ABS Patient Experiences Survey 2024-25 |
| Australians who used telehealth in 2024-25 | 22.5% | ABS Patient Experiences Survey 2024-25 |
| PBS-subsidised prescriptions dispensed annually | 226M+ | Dept of Health |
| eScript-enabled pharmacies in Australia | 98%+ | ADHA 2022-23 Annual Report |
| AHPRA-registered GPs in Australia | 36,000+ | AHPRA Report 2024-25 |
What this tells us: Telehealth and online prescribing are now established parts of Australia’s healthcare system, rather than niche alternatives to in-person care.
What cannot be prescribed via telehealth
Telehealth has real limits. A doctor can’t examine you in person online, so some things need an in-person visit instead:
Not available via standard telehealth
- 1Some controlled medicines (Schedule 8 & Schedule 4), under state and territory rules
- 2Medicines that need a physical exam first
- 3Medicines that need recent test or scan results that the doctor doesn’t have
- 4Compounded or specially prepared medications (may require paper script)
- 5Some newer restricted medicines with their own access rules
Important – clinical discretion always applies. Even for medications that are “generally available” online, a prescription is only issued if the treating practitioner determines it is clinically appropriate after assessing you. A list of commonly prescribed medications does not guarantee any specific prescription will be issued. If a practitioner cannot safely prescribe via telehealth, they will advise you to seek in-person care.
⚠ When to call 000 or go to emergency immediately
Do not use telehealth in case of emergency – call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.