A new concern or a first assessment
New treatment consultation
$42.00AUD / consultation
- An assessment of your symptoms and history
- A phone consultation with an Australian doctor
- Referrals, certificates or an eScript where appropriate
AHPRA-registered Australian doctors
Skincare treatment online
Healthy skin starts with understanding what is going on.
Talk to an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor about your skin from home. Acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, sun damage or ageing skin: your doctor reviews your skin history, discusses your options, and can arrange an eScript or a dermatologist referral where clinically appropriate.
Prescription consultation $42.00 AUD. One-off fee. Medicare details required. Prescriptions are issued only when clinically appropriate.
A doctor makes the call.
Your history, your skincare, and a conversation about what comes next.
- Australian doctors
- Phone consultation
- Clear one-off fees
- eScript by SMS, if prescribed
- Dermatologist referrals available
Is telehealth right for your skincare?
See a doctor in person or call 000 if
- You have a rash of small red or purple spots or bruises that do not turn white when pressed, with fever, headache or a stiff neck. This can be meningococcal infection. Call triple zero (000)
- You have swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficult or noisy breathing, or you collapse. This can be anaphylaxis. Call triple zero (000)
- You have a red, hot, painful area of skin that is spreading quickly, especially with a fever
- You have a sudden red rash over most of your body, or pus-filled blisters with a fever. Go to an emergency department
- You have painful clustered blisters on eczema-affected skin, especially near the eyes. This needs urgent care
Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or a spreading rash with fever, headache or a stiff neck.
- healthdirect 1800 022 222, 24 hours, 7 days
- Eczema Association of Australasia 1300 300 182, Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
A telehealth consultation suits you if
- You have acne, rosacea, eczema or psoriasis and want a treatment review
- You are already on treatment and need to continue or adjust it
- You want a referral to a dermatologist
- You have sun damage or skin ageing concerns
Our doctors prescribe and refer where telehealth is clinically appropriate. Skin swabs, scrapings to rule out a fungal infection, patch or allergy testing, a biopsy, a close examination of moles and blood tests all need an in-person visit. A new or changing mole, or a spot that bleeds or will not heal, needs an in-person skin check, not telehealth. Eye involvement in rosacea needs an ophthalmologist. Telehealth suits talking through your history, the pattern of a rash, how your current treatment is working, and a dermatologist referral.
How it works
A little preparation. Then a doctor's call.
You will need your phone and Medicare details, and you must be in Australia. Waiting times depend on demand and clinical availability.
- Step 1
Tell us about your skincare
A short online form about your symptoms, history and what you need. Check the consultation fee before you continue.
- Step 2
Complete your AI preconsult
An AI screening call asks about your symptoms and health history so your doctor starts with the full picture. After the call you join the doctor queue.
- Step 3
Speak with a registered doctor
An AHPRA-registered Australian doctor phones you, reviews your preconsult and talks through what is right for you, in real time.
- Step 4
Get your outcome
Advice and a plan for your skincare. Where clinically appropriate, an eScript token by SMS, a referral or a medical certificate. If the doctor completes the consult without prescribing, the consultation fee still applies. We refund the fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation.
Your consultation
What your doctor will cover
Assessment
Your skin history, what you have tried, how the condition affects you day to day, likely triggers, and a description or, where the consultation allows, a photo of the affected skin.
Treatment options
A skincare routine and lifestyle changes, a review of how your current treatment is working, and prescription medication where your doctor considers it appropriate.
Ongoing care
How long treatments usually take to show a change, what to expect along the way, and when to come back for a review.
Beyond the consult
Referral to a dermatologist, an ophthalmologist for eye involvement in rosacea, and in-person skin checks for moles or spots that are changing.
Consultation fees
Clear fees. A considered decision.
One consultation fee. It includes a phone call with an Australian doctor, who decides what is appropriate for your skincare.
One-off fees. No subscription. Medicines are dispensed by your pharmacy at the pharmacy's price, with PBS pricing where you are eligible. Medicare details are required; these consultations are not bulk billed.
A prescription is not guaranteed. If the doctor completes your consult and decides a prescription is not clinically appropriate, the consultation fee still applies. We refund the fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation. See our terms and refund policy.
Understanding the condition
About skincare
Skin conditions are among the most common reasons Australians see a doctor. Acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and sun damage affect people of every age and skin type. Most are long-term conditions that flare and settle. They are rarely dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable, hard to hide and hard on your confidence. Understanding what is going on is the first step to managing them well.
Acne and rosacea
Acne happens when pores become blocked with oil and dead skin, and bacteria build up. It is very common in the teenage years. A school-based Australian study cited by the RACGP in 2019 found some degree of acne in 93.3 per cent of 16 to 18 year olds. Many adults have acne too, and in adults hormones and stress often play a part. Squeezing spots makes scarring more likely.
Rosacea causes redness, flushing and small bumps across the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It usually starts in adulthood and is more common in people with fair skin. The Australasian College of Dermatologists puts it at around 5 per cent of adults worldwide. Common triggers include sun, heat, alcohol, spicy food and stress. When rosacea affects the eyes, an ophthalmologist needs to be involved.
Eczema and psoriasis
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, makes skin dry, itchy and inflamed. It often starts in early childhood. ASCIA, the peak body for allergy specialists, reports that around 20 per cent of children under two are affected, and many grow out of it. Adults can have eczema too. Scratching, dry air, soaps, wool, sweat and stress can all set off a flare.
Psoriasis is a long-term immune condition that speeds up the growth of skin cells, leaving thick, red, scaly patches, often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. It is not contagious. It tends to run in families and can flare with stress, infections, skin injury and some medicines. Some people with psoriasis also develop joint pain, which is worth telling your doctor about.
Sun damage and ageing skin
Australia has very high levels of ultraviolet radiation, and years of sun exposure show up in the skin as freckles, rough patches, uneven colour, fine lines and broken blood vessels. Sun damage is also the main cause of skin cancer. Any new or changing mole, or a spot that bleeds, itches or will not heal, needs an in-person skin check with a dermatoscope, which telehealth cannot replace.
Good skincare basics
Most skin conditions benefit from the same simple habits. Wash with a gentle, soap-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Moisturise every day, more often if your skin is dry or you have eczema. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and cover up with a hat and clothing when the UV index is high. Avoid products with fragrance if your skin is sensitive, and give any new routine several weeks before you judge it.
Prescription medication has a place where your doctor considers it appropriate, but it works best alongside these basics rather than instead of them.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your skin condition is not improving with simple care, is painful, is affecting your sleep or your confidence, or is leaving scars. See a doctor promptly for a rash that spreads quickly, blisters, or comes with a fever. For a rash with a fever, headache or stiff neck, or any swelling of the face or trouble breathing, call triple zero (000).
Skincare telehealth FAQs
What a consultation about skincare can and cannot do, and how the process works.
Can I get skin condition treatment online in Australia?
Yes. You can talk to an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor about skin condition through a real-time telehealth consultation. You complete a short online form and an AI preconsult call, then a doctor phones you, reviews your history and discusses your options. The doctor decides what is clinically appropriate. Completing a form or paying a fee does not mean a particular outcome.
Do I need to have been diagnosed with skin condition before I book?
No. A telehealth consultation suits both a review of skin condition you already manage and a first conversation about new symptoms. If your doctor thinks you need an examination, a test or an in-person appointment before anything else, they will say so and point you to the right service.
Can a telehealth doctor prescribe for skin condition?
Where clinically appropriate, yes. Your doctor decides after speaking with you and reviewing your history. Some medicines cannot be prescribed by telehealth, and some situations need an in-person examination or a test first. If your doctor prescribes, your eScript token arrives by SMS for use at a pharmacy. If they complete the consult without prescribing, the consultation fee still applies. Doccy refunds the fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation.
How much does a consultation cost?
A prescription consultation costs $42.00 AUD. This is a one-off consultation fee. It is not the price of medicine and there is no subscription. If a doctor prescribes, you pay your pharmacy separately, with PBS pricing where you are eligible. Medicare details are required and the consultation is not bulk billed.
What if the doctor decides telehealth is not right for me?
Skincare is not always suitable for telehealth. If your doctor thinks you need to be seen in person, they will explain why and recommend a next step, such as your usual GP, a pathology collection centre or an emergency department. Completing that consult without a prescription is still a completed consultation, and the fee applies. Doccy refunds the consultation fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).
Which skin conditions can Doccy doctors help with?
Our doctors commonly help with acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, sun-damaged skin and skin ageing concerns. They can talk through your history, review how your current treatment is working, suggest a skincare routine, discuss prescription medication where they consider it appropriate, and arrange a dermatologist referral. Some skin problems need to be seen in person, including anything that needs a swab, a biopsy or a close look at a mole, and your doctor will tell you if that applies to you.
Do I need to send photos of my skin?
Not always. Your consultation is by phone, so your doctor will ask you to describe your skin: where it is affected, what it looks like, how long it has been there and what makes it better or worse. Where the consultation allows, your doctor may ask you to share a photo to help them see the pattern. A photo is never a substitute for an in-person skin check when a mole or spot is changing.
Can I get a referral to a dermatologist?
Yes, where your doctor considers it clinically appropriate. Dermatologists are specialists in skin, and a GP referral is needed to see one and to claim any Medicare rebate. Your doctor will ask about your condition, what has been tried and why a specialist opinion would help. If a referral is appropriate, it is sent to you electronically. Dermatologist appointments can involve a wait, so your doctor may also discuss what you can do in the meantime.
How long does skin treatment take to work?
Longer than most people expect. Skin renews itself over several weeks, so acne, rosacea and psoriasis treatments usually take six to twelve weeks to show a clear change. Eczema flares can settle faster once a good moisturising routine and any prescribed treatment are in place. Your doctor will tell you what to expect and when to check back in. Stopping too early is a common reason treatment seems not to work, so a review is built into your plan.
Is telehealth suitable for a changing mole?
No. A new or changing mole, or a spot that bleeds, itches, crusts or will not heal, needs an in-person skin check. A doctor needs to examine it closely with a dermatoscope and may need to take a biopsy. Neither is possible by phone or from a photo. Book with your regular GP or a skin cancer clinic instead. Australia has high rates of skin cancer, and finding it early makes treatment much simpler.
Medical emergency? This service is not for urgent care. If you believe you or someone else is in danger, call 000 immediately.
Related
Related conditions
Ready to talk to a doctor about your skincare?
Share your history, speak with an Australian doctor by phone, and understand your next step.
Prescriptions are issued only when clinically appropriate.
Clinical oversightAHPRA registered reviewer
Reviewed for accuracy by a registered doctor
Doccy consultations are provided by AHPRA-registered Australian doctors who are responsible for their clinical decisions. This page describes the condition and our service; it is not personal medical advice. Not every request is suitable for telehealth. For emergencies, call 000.
Medically reviewed byDr. Louis J Sisk
BSc(Hons) MBChB MRCS(Glasg) MTrauma(Dist) APRCSA
Last reviewed 15 September 2026Editorial policy