For parents and carers
Telehealth for a Sick Child
Yes, a clinician can assess your child by phone. For children aged 6 months and over with common illnesses such as colds, coughs, fever, gastro or conjunctivitis, book a $50.95 telehealth consult with an AHPRA-registered nurse practitioner or doctor.
A parent or guardian needs to be with the child for the call. The clinician asks about your child’s symptoms, tells you what to watch for, and explains your options. If your child needs to be seen in person, they’ll tell you where to go.
Call 000 now if your child is struggling to breathe, is blue or very pale, can’t be woken, or is having a seizure.
At a glance
- Price: $50.95 for a 10-minute phone consult. There's no card surcharge: the price shown is the price you pay.
- Who treats you: an AHPRA-registered nurse practitioner or doctor
- Age: children aged 6 months and over, with a parent or guardian on the call
- How it works: the clinician phones you at your appointment time. Calls may come from a private number.
- Hours: 7am–9pm, 7 days a week including public holidays, Brisbane time
- Medicare: Medicare rebates for telehealth consults are only available in limited circumstances. Ask your clinician whether you're eligible.
What a telehealth consult can help with
- colds, coughs, runny noses and sore throats
- fever, when your child is otherwise alert and drinking
- mild gastro (vomiting or diarrhoea), when your child is still keeping fluids down
- red, itchy or sticky eyes (conjunctivitis)
- rashes that fade when you press on them
- advice on whether your child needs to be seen in person, and how soon
- a medical certificate for school or childcare, if it's clinically appropriate.
Any treatment decision is the clinician’s, based on your symptoms and health history. The fee covers the consult, whatever the outcome.
When telehealth isn't suitable
Call 000 for an ambulance if your child:
- is struggling to breathe, or is blue or very pale
- can't be woken
- has a seizure for the first time, a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or doesn't wake up after a seizure.
Go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child:
- has a fever above 38°C and a weakened immune system
- has a stiff neck, or light hurts their eyes
- has a constant headache
- has a rash that doesn't fade when you press on it.
See a doctor in person today if your child is vomiting and can’t keep fluids down, is getting more and more tired and flat, has stopped walking when they usually walk, is weeing much less than usual, has tummy pain, has had a head injury, or seems to be getting sicker. If they’ve swallowed something that could be poisonous, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Children under 6 months can’t be seen through our telehealth service. If your baby is unwell, see your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If a baby under 3 months has a fever above 38°C, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Trust your instincts: if you’re worried your child is seriously unwell, get urgent help. If the clinician decides a telehealth consult isn’t suitable and you need to be seen in person, you’ll get a full refund (clause 6 of our Terms).
Who treats your child
Consults are with an AHPRA-registered nurse practitioner or doctor. Nurse practitioners can assess and diagnose illness in children and adults, order tests and refer. Read more about what a nurse practitioner can do.
Can a clinician see my child by telehealth?
Yes. Children aged 6 months and over can have a telehealth consult with a nurse practitioner or doctor, with a parent or guardian on the call. It suits common, mild illnesses. If your child needs an examination or urgent care, the clinician will tell you where to go.
How old does my child need to be?
At least 6 months. For younger babies, see your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If a baby under 3 months has a fever above 38°C, see a doctor as soon as possible.
How much does a consult for my child cost?
A telehealth consult is $50.95. There’s no card surcharge: the price shown is the price you pay. Medicare rebates for telehealth consults are only available in limited circumstances. Ask your clinician whether you’re eligible.
My child has a fever. Should I be worried?
A fever is a temperature of 38°C or more. It’s common in children and is a normal response to infection. How your child is behaving matters more than the number on the thermometer. See a doctor if your child seems very unwell, is getting sicker, or isn’t getting better after 2 days. Call 000 if they’re struggling to breathe, can’t be woken or have a seizure.
Can I get a medical certificate for school or childcare?
Yes. Children under 16 need a consult rather than a certificate request. The clinician can provide a certificate during the consult if it’s clinically appropriate. Teenagers aged 16 and 17 can request a medical certificate online themselves.
Can I get a carer's certificate to stay home with my child?
Yes. A carer’s leave certificate is issued in your name for your employer. You can request one online and the clinician will ask about your child on the call.
What if my child needs to be examined?
The clinician will tell you if your child needs to be seen in person and how soon: by your GP, at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, or at a hospital emergency department.
Do I need to be there for the call?
Yes. A parent or guardian needs to be with the child for the whole consult, to answer questions and agree to any treatment.
Related: All telehealth consults · Carer’s leave certificates · Asthma consult · Online medical certificates
Sources: The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Kids Health Info, Fever in children (checked 17 October 2026); our Terms and Conditions, clause 5.2. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Clinically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Christopher O’Donnell, Nurse Practitioner, FACN (AHPRA NMW0001453715). Last reviewed 18 October 2026.
Telehealth consults aren’t an emergency service. In an emergency, call 000. Consults are with AHPRA-registered nurse practitioners and doctors, who decide whether any treatment is appropriate.