Telehealth for Busy Workers and Students: Certificates, Scripts and After-Work Appointments

When you’re working full time, studying or both, finding time to see a GP can be hard. Telehealth lets you speak to a doctor by phone or video from home, your car or a quiet room at work. It’s well suited to the things busy people most often need: a medical certificate, a prescription, sexual health care or advice about a common illness.

Here’s how telehealth can fit around work and study, what it can and can’t help with, and a few tips to make it quick.

Common reasons workers and students use telehealth

Medical certificates

If you’re too unwell to work or attend classes, or you need to care for a sick family member, a telehealth GP can provide a medical certificate if clinically appropriate. It’s emailed to you so you can forward it to your employer or uni. There are guides for work certificates, university certificates and carer’s leave certificates.

A few things to know:

• A doctor can only certify what they can reasonably assess, so be honest and specific about your symptoms and when they started.
• It’s best to have your consultation while you’re unwell. Doctors can’t backdate a certificate beyond what they can verify.
• Some universities have their own form for special consideration or deferred exams. Check your uni’s requirements and have the form ready before your consultation.

For more detail, read when you need a medical certificate in Australia.

Prescriptions

If you’ve run out of a regular medicine or need treatment for a new problem, a telehealth GP can prescribe it if clinically appropriate. The eScript is sent to your phone and you can fill it at any pharmacy, including one near work or campus. See online prescriptions.

Sexual health and contraception

STI testing and treatment, contraception, and other sexual health consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. A telehealth GP can send a pathology referral for testing, so you can visit a collection centre when it suits you. See our STI testing and treatment and contraception pages.

Common illnesses

Colds and flu, UTIs, gastro and tonsillitis are among the common problems a GP can often assess by phone or video, and staying home avoids passing them on to workmates or classmates. See general health.

Stress and mental health

Deadlines, exams and long hours can take a toll. A telehealth GP can talk through how you’re feeling, offer practical advice and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist where appropriate. See mental health. Many universities and employers also offer counselling or an employee assistance program at no cost to you, so it’s worth checking what’s available.

Fitting a consultation into your day

Teldoc is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. That means you can often:

• book during a lunch break or between classes
• have a consultation after work, up until 7 pm
• use a weekend appointment if weekdays are busy

If you live in a different time zone, check the opening hours in your local time on our regional and remote telehealth guide.

Tips for a quick, private consultation

• Find somewhere private, such as a meeting room, your car or a quiet corner at home. You’ll be more comfortable talking openly.
• Use headphones if you’re somewhere you might be overheard.
• Have your Medicare card, a list of any medicines and allergies, and the dates you need a certificate for.
• If you’re a student who needs a uni form completed, have it ready.
• Keep your phone on and nearby, because the doctor will call you.

What does it cost?

General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays. There’s no Medicare rebate, because Medicare only covers telehealth GP consultations if you’ve seen the practice in person in the past 12 months or an exemption applies. Sexual health consultations, including STI testing and contraception, are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. See our fees page.

If you don’t have a Medicare card, for example if you’re an international student, bulk billing doesn’t apply. Check our fees page, and ask your health insurer whether they cover any of the cost.

When telehealth isn’t the right choice

Telehealth is not for emergencies. Call 000 for chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding or a serious injury. You’ll also need to be seen in person if you need an examination, a vaccination or a procedure. At Teldoc, we don’t provide workers’ compensation consultations, so see your regular GP for a work injury claim.

For a full list, read what telehealth can and can’t do. If you’re thinking about whether telehealth suits you more generally, see is telehealth right for you?

Frequently asked questions

Are telehealth medical certificates accepted by employers and universities?

Yes. A medical certificate from an AHPRA-registered doctor after a telehealth consultation is valid. Some universities have their own forms, so check their requirements before your consultation.

Can I get a medical certificate for yesterday?

A doctor can only certify what they can reasonably assess and verify. It’s best to have a consultation while you’re unwell. The doctor will decide what dates they can include.

Can I have a telehealth appointment after work?

Yes. Teldoc is open until 7 pm Sydney time, 7 days a week, and most patients are seen within 15 minutes.

Is STI testing through telehealth bulk billed?

Yes, for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. The doctor can send a pathology referral so you can have your tests at a collection centre when it suits you.

Can international students use Teldoc?

Yes. Bulk billing requires a valid Medicare card, so it doesn’t apply if you don’t have one. Check our fees page and ask your health insurer whether they cover any of the cost.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026