Changes to Medicare Telehealth Rebates Matter for Rural Australia
Recently, I found myself on the front page of The Advocate — not something I ever expected, but an important opportunity to highlight an issue affecting many people in regional and remote Tasmania: changes to Medicare rebates for Nurse Practitioner–led telehealth care.
For many rural communities, Nurse Practitioners are not just an additional option in the health system — we are often the only accessible option.
Distance, weather, transport limitations, cost-of-living pressures, and the shortage of bulk-billing medical services all shape how people access care. When these factors combine, telehealth becomes far more than a convenience.
For many of my clients, it is the only realistic pathway to timely support.
What the Rebate Changes Mean
The recent amendments to Medicare rebates will make it harder for people outside major cities to access NP-led telehealth services. These changes disproportionately affect:
individuals without reliable transport
people with chronic illness or disability
neurodivergent clients who find travel overwhelming
carers who cannot leave home easily
families balancing financial stress
remote communities with minimal GP availability
When rebates shrink or disappear, the gap widens — and it widens most for the people who already have the least access.
Why Telehealth Matters in Regional Communities
Telehealth is not a luxury in rural health. It’s a lifeline.
It offers:
continuity of care when travel is unsafe or unaffordable
timely mental health support in communities without local services
flexibility for people with mobility or sensory needs
reduced time away from work, school, or caregiving
a way to maintain privacy in small towns where everyone knows everyone
Without viable telehealth options, many people simply go without care.
A Call for Models of Care That Reflect Reality
As health professionals, we must continue advocating for systems that recognise the realities of regional life. Rural Australians face unique barriers:
vast distances
limited provider availability
gaps in public transport
fewer bulk-billing options
socioeconomic disadvantage
Policy needs to reflect these realities — not overlook them.
Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in bridging these gaps, especially in mental health, disability support, and chronic disease management. Supporting NP-led telehealth is one way to keep essential care within reach for the communities who need it most.
I’m grateful to The Advocate for covering this issue and giving voice to the people directly affected. Rural health doesn’t often make headlines, but it should. The experiences of regional Australians deserve to be heard — not only by policymakers, but by the broader community.
If we want healthier, more resilient rural communities, we must protect the services that allow people to access care safely, affordably, and consistently.
