Telehealth in Rural Australia
Improving Access to Healthcare with Westfund Support
Access to healthcare in rural and remote Australia remains a significant challenge. Around 7 million Australians live outside major cities, where access to GPs, specialists, and allied health services is often limited¹ ².
Why Access to Healthcare in Rural Australia Matters
People living in these communities are more likely to experience delayed care, higher rates of hospitalisation, and poorer overall health outcomes compared to those in metropolitan areas¹.
Barriers to healthcare access in rural Australia include:
Long travel distances to services
Workforce shortages across healthcare professions³
Higher out-of-pocket and indirect costs
Reduced access to preventive and ongoing care³
More than one in four Australians reported delaying or not seeing a GP when needed in 2024–25⁵, highlighting ongoing access challenges that are often amplified in regional and remote areas.
What Is Telehealth and Why Is It Important?
Telehealth allows people to access healthcare services using phone or video consultations when a physical examination is not required⁶. It is now an ongoing part of Medicare, helping Australians access care regardless of location⁶.
For rural communities, telehealth plays a critical role in improving access to healthcare by removing the barrier of distance.
How Telehealth Improves Access to Healthcare in Rural Australia
Access to healthcare without travel. Telehealth reduces the need to travel long distances for appointments, saving time, cost, and stress for individuals and families⁴.
Faster support and early intervention. People can connect with healthcare providers sooner, supporting earlier care and reducing the risk of health concerns becoming more serious⁴.
Better management of chronic conditions. Regular telehealth appointments support ongoing care for chronic conditions by maintaining consistent engagement with healthcare teams⁴.
Access to a multidisciplinary care team. Telehealth enables access to a full care team—including GPs, credentialled diabetes educators, dietitians, podiatrists, and exercise physiologists—supporting coordinated care even in remote locations.
Cost-effective healthcare delivery. Telehealth has been shown to reduce healthcare costs while maintaining quality outcomes, making it a sustainable model for rural healthcare delivery⁷.
What Makes Telehealth Work in Regional Areas
To maximise the benefits of telehealth in regional Australia, several factors are essential:
Reliable internet and phone connectivity
Digital health literacy for both members and providers
Integration with face-to-face healthcare when needed
Strong healthcare workforce support²
Telehealth is most effective when it complements in-person care rather than replacing it.
Medicare Support for Telehealth Services
Telehealth services are supported under Medicare, allowing eligible Australians to access rebates for:
GP consultations
Specialist appointments
Mental health services
Selected allied health services⁸
This has significantly improved access to healthcare in rural and remote Australia by making services more accessible and affordable.
How Westfund Supports Telehealth and Rural Healthcare Access
Westfund plays an important role in improving access to healthcare for members living in regional and rural communities.
Supporting access to healthcare in regional Australia
Westfund is committed to supporting regional communities and improving access to healthcare regardless of where members live⁹.
Connecting members to telehealth services
Through the Health Co‑Op and digital health partnerships, Westfund helps members access telehealth services and innovative care programs⁹.
Telehealth benefits and refunds
Depending on the level of Extras cover*:
Telehealth consultations with eligible providers (e.g. psychology, physiotherapy, dietitian services) may be claimable
Benefits typically cover part of the consultation cost
Check your policy summary and annual limits for more details
Supporting prevention and wellbeing
Westfund supports preventive health and wellbeing programs, which may include services delivered via telehealth, helping members stay well and access care earlier⁹.
As a not-for-profit health fund, Westfund focuses on delivering value back to members and supporting equitable access to healthcare across regional Australia⁹.
What This Means for Members Living in Rural Australia
Telehealth and Westfund work together to support:
Improved access to healthcare closer to home
Reduced delays in care
Better support for chronic condition management
Greater access to multidisciplinary care
Members should always review their policy summary to understand what telehealth services are included, rebate levels, and provider eligibility.
The Future of Telehealth in Rural Australia
Telehealth will continue to play a central role in improving access to healthcare across rural and remote Australia.
Ongoing improvements will depend on:
Investment in digital infrastructure
Expansion of rural healthcare workforce
Continued support through Medicare and private health funds
Strong integration between telehealth and in-person care
Conclusion: Closing the Gap in Access to Healthcare
Telehealth is helping close the gap in access to healthcare for rural Australians by reducing distance barriers, improving access to services, and supporting ongoing care.
With Medicare support and Westfund’s commitment to regional communities, more Australians can access timely, high-quality healthcare—no matter where they live.
The information provided is general in nature and does not replace professional medical advice.
*Annual limits, waiting periods and eligibility criteria apply. Benefits and programs are subject to your level of cover. Please refer to your Policy Summary or check your Extras limits via Members Online or the Westfund app for full details.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Rural & remote Australians: overview [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): AIHW; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/population-groups/rural-remote-australians/overview
National Rural Health Alliance. Digital health and connectivity in rural Australia [Internet]. Deakin West (ACT): National Rural Health Alliance; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/publication/fact-sheet/digital-health-and-connectivity-in-rural-australia/
Kolt G. Development of and support for the rural and remote allied health workforce in Australia [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://acdhs.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Rural-Remote-AH-Workforce-Final-Report-20250322.pdf
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Telehealth [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): Commonwealth of Australia; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Telehealth | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Patient Experiences, 2024–25 financial year [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): ABS; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/latest-release
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Telehealth and virtual care [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): Commonwealth of Australia; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/telehealth
Mahmood S, Huda MM, Ahmed KY, Subash T, Astawesegn FH, Anyasodor AE, Moni MA, Shiddiky MJA, Mondal UK, Aychiluhm SB, et al. Digital Health for Australia: Bridging the Rural, Regional, and Remote Health Gap. Interact J Med Res. 2025;14:e67460.
Services Australia. Telehealth services [Internet]. Canberra (ACT): Services Australia; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/telehealth-services
Westfund Health Insurance. Westfund Health Insurance [Internet]. Lithgow (NSW): Westfund Health Insurance; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.westfund.com.au