Living with Long COVID in Australia: How Telehealth Can Help

As Australia continues to navigate the impacts of COVID-19, many people are facing a lesser-known challenge: long COVID. This condition, where symptoms linger for weeks or months after the initial infection, can affect anyone, from young adults to older Aussies. If you’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, or other persistent symptoms, you’re not alone—and telehealth can be a lifeline for managing your health. This is what you need to know about long COVID in Australia and how virtual care can support your recovery.

What Is Long COVID?
Long COVID is a range of symptoms that continue or develop after a COVID-19 infection, lasting over four weeks. According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, some people experience prolonged symptoms, with effects ranging from mild to debilitating. Some of the symptoms include:

Fatigue: Tiredness even after resting.

Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating or remembering.

Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing with daily activities.

Joint or Muscle Pain: Aching pains that interfere with movement.

Mental Health Challenges: Depression, anxiety, or mood changes related to long-term illness.

Recent Australian research has drawn comparisons between long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), highlighting changes to the brain‘s hippocampus, as well as the requirement for specialised care. While most people recover from COVID-19 within a few weeks, long COVID can disrupt life, and healthcare access is necessary.

The Australian Context: Why Long COVID Is Important
So far in 2025, Australia has recorded over 11 million cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with thousands still experiencing long-term symptoms. The disease does not discriminate—young, otherwise healthy individuals and those with underlying conditions alike are at risk. For people in rural and remote communities, specialists may be hard to visit or to obtain ongoing care from, and this is where telehealth helps.

The Australian Government continues to support long COVID patients through subsidised treatments and free vaccinations via the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. However, this condition typically requires ongoing care, from symptom management to mental health, that can easily be provided by telehealth.

How Telehealth Helps Long COVID Patients
Telehealth is now a cornerstone of the Australian health system, with over 86 million Medicare-funded consultations since March 2020. For individuals afflicted with long COVID, virtual care offers convenient, accessible remedies. Here‘s how telehealth can assist:

1. Easy Access to Doctors
Symptoms of long COVID can flare suddenly and a trip to a clinic can be arduous. Telehealth allows you to see Australian-registered physicians via video or over the phone, regardless of whether you are in a city or a rural outback community. Appointments are often available immediately, allowing you to address symptoms without any delay.

2. Personalised Symptom Management
Each case of long COVID is different. Via telehealth, physicians can evaluate your symptoms—whether fatigue, shortness of breath, or cognitive problems—and develop a personalised plan. This could be lifestyle recommendations, orders for diagnostic testing, or prescriptions to alleviate symptoms, all sent electronically to your pharmacy.

3. Mental Health Support
The mental effect of long COVID can also be significant, and depression or anxiety is common in many patients. Telehealth provides access to psychologists or GPs who can offer mental health plans online and support, therapy, or medication where necessary. The fact that your mental health receives equal attention as physical health is due to this integrated approach.

4. Monitoring and Follow-Ups
Long COVID typically necessitates follow–up visits to monitor progress and modify treatments. Telehealth simplifies follow-up visits, enabling physicians to monitor your condition over time without requiring multiple in-person visits. This is particularly useful for individuals with mobility problems or in rural locations.

5. Affordable and Accessible Care
The majority of telehealth services are bulk-billed for eligible patients, with no out-of-pocket cost. For others, Medicare rebates render the consultations quite affordable. This implies that cost will not be an obstacle in obtaining the care you require to assist in managing long COVID.

Tips for Using Telehealth for Managing Long COVID
In case you have long COVID, the following are tips for deriving the most from telehealth:

Track Your Symptoms: Keep a record of your symptoms, when you get them, and how they impact your life. Discuss this with your doctor during telehealth appointments so they can tailor your care.

Ask About Referrals: Your primary care doctor can refer you to specialists, such as respiratory or neurology specialists, or order tests to better understand your condition.

Stay Vaccinated: ATAGI recommends maintaining COVID-19 boosters to reduce the risk of severe consequences. Speak to your vaccination strategy on a telehealth call.

Prioritise Rest and Recovery: Telehealth doctors can provide advice on pacing activities to manage fatigue, a common long COVID symptom.

Looking Ahead: Long COVID and Telehealth in Australia
Long COVID is complex, but Australia‘s healthcare system is adapting to cater to individuals who have it. Telehealth is a key part of this, offering a flexible, safe way of accessing care. With research underway—such as into brain change in people with long COVID, for example—telehealth enables you to stay connected with the latest types of treatment from your own home.

If you‘re experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19, don‘t wait to seek help. Telehealth can connect you with compassionate, expert care to support your path to recovery. Book a virtual appointment today and take the first step towards recovery.

Sources: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, ABC News