Telehealth Scripts in Australia: How eScripts Work
A telehealth script is a script written by a registered doctor or nurse practitioner after a consultation by phone or video instead of in a clinic. In Australia it usually arrives as an eScript: a link sent by SMS or email to a unique QR code, called a token, which a pharmacist scans to dispense your medicine.
This article is general information, not medical advice. A telehealth consultation does not change who can write a script or what a pharmacist needs before dispensing, and outcomes vary between individuals.
On this page
- What a telehealth script is
- How an eScript works
- Who can write a script over the phone or video
- Repeats and the Active Script List
- Using any pharmacy, or having medicine delivered
- Are telehealth scripts bulk billed?
- When a phone or video consultation is not enough
- How to check an online script service
- Start with an online assessment at Burst Health
- Frequently Asked Questions
What a telehealth script is
Telehealth means having a consultation with a healthcare provider by phone or video call. Many GPs, specialists and other providers offer it when a physical examination is not necessary. The Australian Digital Health Agency describes it as a convenient option when you cannot see a doctor face to face, not a replacement for essential visits.
During that consultation, the doctor can send you an electronic script as an alternative to paper. You then take it to your pharmacy, or send it to them so they can deliver your medicine.
How an eScript works
An eScript (also written e-script) is a digital version of a paper script. healthdirect sets out the steps for a new one:
Your doctor sends you a link by SMS or email.
The link opens a unique QR code, the token. The token is your script to take to a pharmacy.
Your pharmacist scans the token, dispenses your medicine and gives it to you.
You receive one token for each medicine.
Make sure your doctor has the right mobile number or email address, and check that you have received the token before you finish the consultation (Australian Digital Health Agency). If you lose the message, the practitioner can send an original script again, and the pharmacy can resend a repeat.
An eScript is valid for the same length of time as a paper script. In most cases that is 12 months, and it can be shorter for some medicines or under state and territory rules. Most medicines can be issued this way, and more than 219 million eScripts have been issued in Australia since May 2020.
Who can write a script over the phone or video
Only authorised health practitioners, such as doctors and nurse practitioners, can write scripts for medicines in Australia. They must be registered with the national board for their profession and approved under state and territory law (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing). You can check any doctor or nurse practitioner on the Ahpra register.
A telehealth consultation has to meet, as far as possible, the same standard of care as an in-person one. The Medical Board of Australia's telehealth guidelines expect the doctor to tell you who they are, confirm your identity and ask for your consent. The Board also states that writing a script for a patient without a real-time consultation, in person, by video or by phone, is not good practice and is not supported. That includes requests sent by text, email or an online form, based on a questionnaire alone, when the practitioner has never spoken with the patient.
Repeats and the Active Script List
If your script has repeats, the pharmacy sends you a new token by SMS or email when you collect your medicine. You show that new token next time, or ask the pharmacist to print a paper script for the repeat if you prefer.
An Active Script List (ASL) is a digital list of all your eScripts. It keeps every token in one place, so you do not have to show a token each time. To set one up, visit a pharmacy with your mobile phone and 100 points of identification. New eScripts are then added to your list automatically, and you give a participating pharmacy consent to see it and dispense from it.
Using any pharmacy, or having medicine delivered
You can take an eScript to any pharmacy that is set up to dispense from one, and most Australian pharmacies are. You can also forward your token straight to a pharmacy so your medicine is ready to collect, or so the pharmacy can deliver it to your home if it offers that service. If you cannot get to the pharmacy yourself, you can forward the token to a family member, carer or friend to collect your medicine for you.
Are telehealth scripts bulk billed?
Sometimes. If you have seen your regular doctor or medical centre in the last 12 months, they may be able to bulk bill your telehealth consultation (Australian Digital Health Agency). The Medical Board expects a doctor to explain the billing arrangements before the consultation, including whether you can claim a Medicare rebate and any gap payment. Burst Health does not bulk bill.
When a phone or video consultation is not enough
The Medical Board states that telehealth is not appropriate for every consultation and should not be a routine substitute for seeing a doctor in person. The standard of care can be limited when a physical examination is not possible, so the practitioner may tell you that you need to be seen in person. The Board also expects follow-up arrangements when they are clinically indicated.
For the conditions it does cover, Burst Health provides online consultations with Australian-registered practitioners across its treatment plans, each reviewed by a doctor or nurse practitioner before any script is written, so see the treatment plans.
How to check an online script service
healthdirect gives a short list for any website that supplies medicines. The business should be based in Australia and show a physical address, an email address, a phone number and company details such as an ACN. It should ask for your script before sending anything: any website that sends script-only medicines in Australia without a script is breaking the law. Medicines bought from overseas websites are not regulated by the TGA, and you cannot tell whether they are fake or contain the wrong amount of active ingredient. Medicines approved for use in Australia carry an AUST R or AUST L code on the pack.
Start with an online assessment at Burst Health
Burst Health connects you with Australian-registered doctors and nurse practitioners for a phone consultation. You complete a short online questionnaire about your health, and a practitioner then calls you to discuss your situation, review whether treatment is clinically appropriate, explain any options and possible side effects, and answer your questions. Treatment is provided only where the practitioner considers it suitable for you, and a practitioner needs to speak with you before any approval is given.
Where a practitioner issues a script, Burst Health uses the Australian Government's electronic script service. The eScript goes to its partner pharmacies, which dispatch your medicine to your home or workplace anywhere in Australia, in discreet packaging. Repeat supply is subject to clinical review by a practitioner rather than automatic. Burst Health offers consultations for weight loss, hair loss, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, and it can issue medical certificates online. For a worked example of the steps, read how online weight loss treatment works. To begin, choose the service you need and check whether you are eligible with a short online assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a script without talking to a doctor?
No. In Australia a script comes from an authorised practitioner, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner, and the Medical Board of Australia does not support writing one without a real-time consultation in person, by video or by phone. A questionnaire alone is not enough. At Burst Health, a practitioner calls you before any treatment is approved.
How can I talk to a doctor online in Australia?
You can book a telehealth consultation by phone or video with your regular GP, if the practice offers it, or with a telehealth provider. All you need is a telephone or a computer with internet access. The Australian Digital Health Agency suggests charging your device, finding a private and quiet place, and checking your connection before the call.
Can I get my medication delivered to my home?
Yes, in many cases. With an eScript you can forward your token to a pharmacy, and if that pharmacy offers home delivery it can send your medicine to you. Where a Burst Health practitioner issues a script, partner pharmacies dispatch the medicine to your home or workplace anywhere in Australia, in discreet packaging.
Can I send my eScript to a pharmacy online?
Yes. You can forward your eScript token directly to a pharmacy so the pharmacist can prepare your medicine for collection or delivery, instead of showing the token in store. Many pharmacies also offer an app, and the my health app lets you view your eScripts and check your Active Script List. Ask your pharmacist what they support.
Can an online doctor give me a referral?
Yes, where it is clinically appropriate. The Medical Board's telehealth guidelines expect the doctor to tell you how you will receive any referrals, scripts or test requests from the consultation. Burst Health's FAQ says a practitioner may provide medical advice and, where clinically appropriate, scripts, medical certificates or referrals after a phone consultation.
Online consultations, Australian-registered practitioners
In three steps.
- 1Answer a quick questionnaireOnline, no appointment, no in-person visit.
- 2A practitioner reviews itAn Australian-registered doctor or nurse practitioner decides whether treatment is suitable for you.
- 3Start your planIf treatment is suitable, you start your plan with the practitioner supporting you throughout.
References
Australian Digital Health Agency. Electronic scripts: information for patients.
Medical Board of Australia. Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients.
This article is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. Please speak with a registered Australian healthcare practitioner about your own circumstances.