Important Medicare Update for Nurse Practitioners: New Telehealth Rules Effective 1 November 2025

Beginning 1 November 2025, new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rules for Nurse Practitioner (NP) telehealth services will come into effect across Australia. These changes are part of a national effort to strengthen continuity of care and ensure that telehealth remains a high-quality, patient-centred healthcare option.

Announced through MBS Online, the update impacts how NPs can deliver and claim telehealth consultations—both via phone and video—under Medicare.

What’s Changing for Nurse Practitioners

Under the new rules, Nurse Practitioners must have an established clinical relationship with a patient—or meet one of several exemptions—to claim an MBS rebate for telehealth services.

An “established clinical relationship” means the patient must have had a face-to-face consultation within the previous 12 months with:

• The same Nurse Practitioner, or
• Another practitioner from the same practice.

This aims to ensure that telehealth services are an extension of a patient’s ongoing care, not a disconnected one-off consultation.

Exemptions to the Face-to-Face Requirement

Some telehealth services will continue to qualify for Medicare rebates without the need for an in-person visit. Exemptions include patients receiving care for:

• Infants under 12 months
• Patients experiencing homelessness
• Patients of Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS)
• Individuals in public health order isolation or COVID-related quarantine
• Residents of natural disaster–declared areas
• Sexual, reproductive health, or blood-borne virus consultations (with specific exclusions)

These exemptions ensure continued access to healthcare for vulnerable and high-need populations, especially in emergency or public health circumstances.

Why the Change Matters

The updated MBS rules aim to:

• Encourage continuity of care, as consistent patient–practitioner relationships improve outcomes and trust.
• Prevent fragmented service delivery, ensuring telehealth complements, rather than replaces, face-to-face care.
• Promote clinical safety and accountability, particularly for complex or chronic health conditions that benefit from in-person reviews.

These changes highlight the Australian Government’s ongoing focus on integrated, high-quality care that balances accessibility with clinical rigour.

What This Means for Nurse Practitioners

For Nurse Practitioners, the new requirements present an opportunity to strengthen patient engagement, improve continuity of care, and review practice systems to ensure compliance with the new MBS framework.

Consider:

• Reviewing appointment and recall systems to track patients’ last face-to-face visits.
• Educating patients about the importance of maintaining an annual in-person consultation to keep telehealth access open.
• Coordinating with other practitioners in your clinic to ensure continuity across shared patient files.

With early preparation, NPs can transition smoothly into the new system and continue offering safe, accessible care through both telehealth and in-person services.

Supporting Your Professional Growth: Nurse Jobs, Courses & Events

Explore in-demand nurse and NP roles across primary care, aged care, community, and rural & remote sectors—particularly in telehealth, chronic disease management, home care, and disability support—by browsing the latest openings on HealthcareLink.

Stay ahead with Nurses and Nurse Partictioner CPD courses and professional learning. You can also expand your professional network through conferences, webinars, and local meet-ups focused on digital health, primary care reform, and aged care transformation.

Check out HealthcareLink to find Nurse Practitioner career opportunities, CPD modules, and upcoming events tailored for nurses and NPs nationwide.

The Takeaway

From 1 November 2025, Nurse Practitioners must have an established clinical relationship with their patients to claim telehealth rebates under Medicare. These changes aim to improve care continuity, reduce fragmentation, and ensure telehealth remains a safe, sustainable part of Australian healthcare.

By understanding the new rules early, staying informed, and investing in ongoing professional development, nurses and NPs can continue delivering high-quality, patient-focused care in both traditional and digital healthcare settings.