The way healthcare is delivered in Australia has changed forever. For Allied Health professionals, like physiotherapists, psychologists, and occupational therapists, Telehealth is no longer just a "backup plan." It is a vital way to reach rural clients and offer flexibility.

Setting up a virtual clinic is more than just opening a Zoom account. To be successful and stay on the right side of the law, you need a setup that is secure, professional, and easy for your clients to use. Follow this simple guide on how to set up a Telehealth practice in Australia. 

Ensure you’re compliant with Australian Regulations & Laws

Before you see your first client, you must ensure you meet Australian standards. Unlike general businesses, healthcare providers in Australia have strict rules regarding privacy.

• AHPRA Requirements: Ensure your registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is current. AHPRA's latest 2026 guidance emphasises that the standard of care in a Telehealth consult must be the same as an in-person session.
• The Privacy Act: You must comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This means using software that stores data securely, ideally on Australian-based servers, to avoid cross-border data risks.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Check with your insurer (e.g., Guild or BMS) to confirm your policy covers "Telehealth." Some policies have specific territorial limits you need to be aware of if your clients are in different states.

Set Up a professional virtual environment

While you don’t need a high-end production studio, investing in a professional setup is essential for clinical accuracy and client trust. In a Telehealth setting, your technology serves as your "digital exam room", if the visual or audio quality is poor, it can hinder your ability to pick up on subtle clinical cues, such as a patient’s range of motion or emotional nuances in their facial expressions.

• Reliable Internet: An NBN connection with a high upload speed is essential. Aim for at least 10 Mbps upload to avoid "freezing" or lag during calls.
• Camera and audio: Use a dedicated HD webcam and you may want to opt for headset/earphones with a microphone. This reduces background noise and ensures your client can hear you clearly.
• A Private space: In Australia, clinical privacy is a legal requirement. You must be in a room where you cannot be overheard, and your background should look professional and uncluttered.

Implement secure note-taking and call monitoring

In a digital environment, your clinical notes need to be more than just a Word document. You need compliant note-taking software that links directly to your telehealth session. Using a system that "monitors" the call, meaning it tracks the duration and ensures the connection is encrypted, is vital for auditing and Medicare purposes. 

Integrated software allows you to type your progress notes or - even better - transcribes your appointment for you and summarises into concise and compliant notes ensures you don't miss key clinical details while maintaining eye contact with your client.

Automate with Online Bookings and Waitlists

A successful Telehealth practice shouldn't rely on a receptionist answering phones all day. Most clients prefer to book their appointments in the evening or on weekends. A smart online booking portal shows your real-time availability and automatically accounts for different time zones across Australia.

To keep your diary full without burning out, you need a way to manage demand. A digital waitlist allows you to triage new enquiries to ensure they are the "right fit" for your expertise before they even get an appointment. Once a gap opens in your schedule, a good practice management system can automatically notify people on your waitlist or move them directly into the calendar. This ensures you aren't left with "dead air" in your week and helps you help the people who need you most.

Secure payments and protect against no-shows

To protect your income and revenue, use a system with a built-in payment portal (like a Stripe integration). This allows you to take deposits or full prepayments at the time of booking. By requiring a deposit, you significantly decrease the risk of "no-shows," ensuring your time is respected and your overheads are covered.

This also means you have the ability to manage all your invoicing in one place. You’re not jumping between systems or manual payment processes and losing track of who's paid and who hasn’t. Having a built in payments portal with your Telehealth systems ensures everything is working seamlessly in unity. 

Want to learn more about the financial side of things? check out: How to Master your Practice's Financial Pulse

Master Medicare and Private Health Billing

One of the biggest hurdles is getting paid. In Australia, Telehealth billing has specific rules:

• MBS Item Numbers: Ensure you are using the correct Telehealth-specific item numbers (e.g., item 93000 for many allied health consults).
• Bulk Billing: If you bulk bill, you must obtain "verbal assignment of benefit" from the patient during the call and document this clearly in your clinical notes.
• Private Health Funds: Most major Australian funds (like Bupa, Medibank, and HCF) cover Telehealth for Allied Health, but requirements vary. Always check the latest provider guides.

Ensure you’re up-to-date and informed with how to manage private health billing. Seek information from the Health fund organisations to better understand the process of how to invoice. 

Ready to launch your virtual clinic?

Setting up a Telehealth practice doesn't have to be a technical headache. By using a platform designed specifically for Australian allied health professionals, you can focus on your patients instead of your software.

splose offers a seamless, Australian-compliant Telehealth experience. With integrations with Zoom, Teams Google Meet as well as Medicare claiming, 24/7 online bookings, and smart waitlist management, it’s the perfect partner for your new practice.

splose also offers AI-powered note-taking that transcribe your sessions in real time and summarise into clinical notes, in a snap. Our smart AI knows who is who with advance speaking recognition, so your notes will clearly differentiate between you, the client and anyone else in the room or on the call. Even if your call drops out or your page refreshes, splose AI keeps recording so you never miss a detail or lose a file again. 

splose AI also drafts letters to doctors or clients with the right clinical context, so you have a handy assistant, helping you manage the administrative burden while you focus on what you do best; caring for your clients.