Doccy vs InstantConsult: Which Telehealth Service Is Better in 2026?

Quick Answer: Doccy offers lower out-of-pocket costs with Medicare bulk billing on eligible consultations, while InstantConsult charges a flat fee starting from $39 per consultation. Both provide prescriptions, medical certificates, and referrals via telehealth. Doccy suits patients who want Medicare rebates and longer consultations. InstantConsult suits those who need fast access without a Medicare card.

Doccy vs InstantConsult at a Glance

Choosing between telehealth providers comes down to what matters most to you: cost, speed, or specific features. Doccy and InstantConsult are two of Australia’s most popular telehealth platforms, and they take different approaches to online healthcare.

As of February 2026, both platforms offer video and phone consultations with Australian-registered GPs. Both can issue prescriptions, medical certificates, specialist referrals, and pathology requests. The differences lie in pricing, Medicare integration, wait times, and the overall patient experience.

Pricing Comparison

Doccy

Doccy’s pricing model centres on Medicare bulk billing. For patients with a valid Medicare card, eligible consultations are bulk billed at $0 out of pocket. This applies to standard GP consultations delivered via video call during business hours.

For consultations that do not qualify for bulk billing (after-hours, extended consultations, or specific services), Doccy charges a gap fee. Even with gap fees, the Medicare rebate reduces the out-of-pocket cost significantly compared to paying a full private consultation fee.

InstantConsult

InstantConsult uses a flat-fee pricing model. Standard consultations start from $39, with prices varying based on the type and length of consultation. There is no Medicare rebate on standard InstantConsult consultations.

InstantConsult’s pricing is transparent and predictable. You know exactly what you will pay before you book. For patients without a Medicare card (international visitors, some visa holders, overseas students), InstantConsult’s flat-fee model can be simpler than navigating Medicare eligibility.

The Verdict on Pricing

For patients with Medicare, Doccy is the clear winner on price. Bulk-billed consultations cost $0, and even gap-fee consultations are reduced by the Medicare rebate. For patients without Medicare, InstantConsult offers straightforward access without needing to deal with Medicare at all.

Wait Times

Doccy

According to Doccy, the average wait time for a telehealth consultation is under 15 minutes. During peak hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm), wait times may be longer. After-hours consultations are available but may have extended wait times depending on GP availability.

InstantConsult

InstantConsult advertises average wait times of under 10 minutes. The platform uses a pool of available GPs who can accept consultations on demand. Like all telehealth services, peak periods and after-hours times may have longer waits.

The Verdict on Wait Times

InstantConsult has a slight edge on average wait times. However, both platforms offer dramatically faster access than traditional GP clinics, where booking an appointment can take days or even weeks in some areas. For urgent but non-emergency needs, either platform delivers rapid access.

Medicare Rebates

This is where the two platforms differ most significantly.

Doccy is built around Medicare integration. The platform bulk bills eligible consultations, meaning Medicare covers the full cost and the patient pays nothing. For consultations with a gap, the Medicare rebate still applies, reducing the patient’s out-of-pocket expense.

According to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), telehealth consultations are eligible for rebates under specific item numbers when delivered via video to patients in their home. Doccy’s consultations are structured to meet these MBS requirements.

InstantConsult does not offer Medicare rebates on its standard consultation model. Patients pay the full flat fee directly to InstantConsult. This simplifies the billing process but means patients absorb the full cost.

For patients who regularly use telehealth, the difference in Medicare integration adds up. A patient who has four telehealth consultations per year would pay $0 with Doccy (bulk billed) versus $156 or more with InstantConsult (at $39 per consultation).

Prescriptions

Both Doccy and InstantConsult can issue prescriptions via telehealth. Both platforms send electronic prescriptions directly to the patient’s phone via SMS or email, which can be used at any pharmacy in Australia.

What both can prescribe:

• Standard medications (antibiotics, blood pressure medication, contraceptives)
• Repeat prescriptions
• Mental health medications
• Some Schedule 4 medications

What neither can prescribe via telehealth:

• Schedule 8 medications (opioids, stimulants) on first consultation
• Some controlled substances that require in-person assessment
• Medications requiring physical examination before prescribing

Both platforms follow the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines for telehealth prescribing. There is no meaningful difference in prescription capabilities between the two services.

Medical Certificates

Both Doccy and InstantConsult issue medical certificates via telehealth. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, employers must accept valid medical certificates regardless of whether they were issued via telehealth or in person.

Both platforms provide digital medical certificates that can be emailed directly to the patient or their employer. The certificates include all legally required information: the practitioner’s name and registration number, the date of consultation, the period of illness, and whether the patient is fit for duties.

There is no practical difference between the two platforms for medical certificates. Both meet the requirements under the Fair Work Act 2009.

After-Hours Access

Doccy offers after-hours consultations on evenings and weekends. After-hours consultations may attract a gap fee even for Medicare-eligible patients, depending on the specific MBS item number and time of consultation. The platform clearly displays any applicable fees before booking.

InstantConsult also provides after-hours access. The flat-fee pricing means after-hours consultations may cost slightly more than standard hours, but the pricing is displayed upfront. GP availability may be more limited during late-night hours on both platforms.

Both platforms operate 7 days a week, with extended hours that cover evenings and weekends. For true after-hours emergencies, both services recommend calling 000 or visiting an emergency department.

App Experience

Doccy

Doccy is available on iOS, Android, and web. The app features a clean interface with Medicare card scanning, appointment booking, prescription management, and consultation history. The onboarding process requires Medicare card details for bulk billing eligibility.

InstantConsult

InstantConsult is available on iOS, Android, and web. The app prioritises speed, with a streamlined booking flow designed to get patients to a GP as quickly as possible. No Medicare card is required to create an account, which speeds up the registration process.

Both apps receive regular updates and have strong user ratings in Australian app stores.

Who Should Choose Doccy?

Doccy is the better choice for patients who:

• Have a valid Medicare card and want to minimise out-of-pocket costs
• Use telehealth regularly (bulk billing saves money over multiple consultations)
• Want Medicare rebates applied automatically
• Prefer longer consultations with Medicare coverage
• Value Medicare integration for health records and claims history

Who Should Choose InstantConsult?

InstantConsult is the better choice for patients who:

• Need the fastest possible access to a GP (under 10-minute average wait)
• Do not have a Medicare card (international visitors, some visa holders)
• Prefer simple flat-fee pricing with no Medicare complexity
• Want a quick, one-off consultation without setting up Medicare details
• Need after-hours access and are comfortable paying a flat fee

The Final Verdict

For most Australian patients with a valid Medicare card, Doccy offers better value through bulk billing. The $0 out-of-pocket cost for eligible consultations is hard to beat, and the Medicare rebate on gap-fee consultations keeps costs lower than InstantConsult’s flat fees.

InstantConsult wins on speed and simplicity. If you need a GP fast and do not want to deal with Medicare eligibility, InstantConsult’s model is straightforward.

Both platforms are legitimate, staffed by Australian-registered GPs, and deliver quality telehealth care. The right choice depends on whether cost savings (Doccy) or speed and simplicity (InstantConsult) matter more to you.