From 1 July 2011, the Australian Government is expanding the Medicare Benefits Scheme to include items for telehealth services. This will include $352.2 million for Medicare rebates for online consultations, incentives for GPs and specialists to participate, online training and $50 million to allow the GP After Hours Helpline to include videoconferencing.

The NBN will empower patients in remote, regional and outer metropolitan Australia to have better access to specialists through new investments in telehealth consultations via the internet. With twice as many specialists a person in major cities compared to regional and remote areas, this investment will help to reduce barriers to specialist medical services for patients. The roll out of the NBN will play a key part in allowing patients to experience clinical grade telehealth