How to get a prescription online in Australia

To get a prescription online in Australia you need to consult with a registered clinician — usually a Specialist GP or Nurse Practitioner — who can assess your condition and decide whether a prescription is appropriate. The consultation can happen by video or phone. If prescribed, your medication is issued as an electronic prescription (e-script) that you show at any Australian pharmacy.

What the law requires

A prescription in Australia must be written by a registered prescriber — a doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or other authorised health practitioner — after a clinical consultation. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and each state's Drugs and Poisons regulator set the rules prescribers follow.

A prescription cannot be written on the basis of a symptom questionnaire alone. Online prescribing services that issue medication without a clinical consultation do not meet Australian standards. At Abby, every prescription comes after an appointment with a Specialist GP or Nurse Practitioner.

The steps, from booking to pick-up

Step 1 — Book an appointment

Book a telehealth consultation through abbyhealth.app/book. Choose video or phone. The booking flow asks a short set of questions about your reason for visit so the right clinician is matched.

Step 2 — Have the consultation

Your clinician reviews your history, discusses your symptoms, and makes a clinical decision. Some consultations result in a prescription; some result in a referral, a pathology request, or lifestyle advice instead. The clinical decision is the clinician's — not the patient's choice from a menu.

Step 3 — Receive your e-script

If a prescription is appropriate, your clinician sends you an electronic prescription (e-script) by SMS or email. You receive a unique QR-style token. Our guide on how e-scripts work explains the format in detail.

Step 4 — Take it to any pharmacy

Show the token at any Australian pharmacy. They scan it, dispense your medication, and the token updates to reflect repeats remaining. You can also choose home delivery through a participating pharmacy. Our pharmacy pick-up and home delivery guide covers the options.

What your clinician needs from you

To prescribe safely, your clinician needs to know:

your full name, date of birth, Medicare card number (if you have one), and current address;

a list of any medications you're already taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements;

any allergies or adverse reactions you have had to medications in the past;

relevant medical history — pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant chronic conditions, recent specialist input;

a clear description of your current symptoms or the reason you want a prescription.

Your Abby account and pre-consultation intake collect most of this before the appointment begins.

Costs and bulk billing

Abby Health bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible patients — meaning there is no out-of-pocket charge for the appointment itself. Medication costs are separate and are set by the pharmacy, with many medications eligible for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy. Our bulk billing guide explains eligibility in plain English.

What you can and can't be prescribed online

A wide range of medications can be safely prescribed through a telehealth consultation — everyday treatments for infections, skin conditions, contraception, hormonal therapies, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and many mental health medications once a treatment plan is established. Some medication classes are not appropriate for first-time prescribing online; our guide on what Abby can and can't prescribe online safely walks through the list.

Continuity — why this matters more than a one-off script

Prescribing is safer when your clinician knows your story. That is why Abby is built around continuity. 71% of Abby patients rebook with the same doctor. When you return for a repeat or a dose adjustment, the clinician reviewing you has context — not a blank page. Our guide to repeat prescriptions explains the clinical review that happens at every repeat.

When an online prescription is not the right answer

If the clinician decides your symptom needs a physical examination, imaging, or in-person assessment, they will say so — and help you get to the right setting. A "no" from a Specialist GP is part of the care, not a failure of the service. See our guide on the safety limits of telehealth for the full picture.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get any medication prescribed online?

No. Some medication classes require in-person assessment for safe first-time prescribing, and a few are not eligible for telehealth prescribing at all. Your clinician will tell you if your request falls into one of those categories and explain what to do instead.

How long does it take to get an e-script after the appointment?

Usually within minutes of the appointment finishing. Occasionally a clinician will hold a script while they review additional information, in which case they will tell you what to expect.

Do I have to take the e-script to a specific pharmacy?

No. An e-script can be dispensed at any Australian pharmacy. If your local pharmacy is more convenient, use it. If home delivery suits you, use one of the pharmacy delivery partners.

What if the pharmacy doesn't have my medication?

Your pharmacy can usually order it in, or transfer the e-script to another pharmacy that has stock. See our transferring prescriptions guide.

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