New data: Over half of Australians to use telehealth as main way to access healthcare by 2035; 87% clinicians say it eases system pressure
New national research shows telehealth has cemented its place as a trusted and essential part of Australia’s healthcare system, with three in four Australians (75%) believing it improves access to essential healthcare for everyone, regardless of location or circumstance. Among clinicians, support is equally strong, with 87% agreeing that telehealth helps ease pressure on the broader healthcare system.
Conducted by The Online Research Unit (ORU) and Ekas/Parallel Data Research, the two complementary studies surveyed 1,000 Australians and 202 healthcare professionals to better understand attitudes towards telehealth and its evolving role in Australian healthcare.
The research found the people who benefit most from telehealth include:
- those facing transport limitations (92%)
- people with a disability (88%)
- those who work away from home for extended periods (86%) or have unpredictable shift work (87%)
- elderly patients (83.5%),
- those who care for young families (80%)
Looking to the future, more than half of Australians (54%) believe telehealth will become the primary way they access simple healthcare and advice within the next decade. However, only a third (32%) expect it to be the main mode of accessing emergency care or specialist services within the same period, reinforcing the ongoing value of in-person treatment in complex cases.
Balkis Sierra, 50, lives in outer metropolitan Melbourne and says telehealth has made managing her health much easier:
“I really appreciate how good telehealth appointments are. It’s so much easier than trying to get into a clinic, especially since we don’t have enough cars in the family and public transport isn’t always practical. With telehealth, I don’t have to worry about transport or timing, it’s just very accessible and much less stressful for all of us.”
Dr Tim Kingswell, Medical Practitioner at Alternaleaf, said “Telehealth has become a trusted and permanent feature of Australia’s health system giving millions faster, easier access to care, especially those facing transport, childcare, mobility or stigma barriers.
“Australians value the flexibility, comfort, discretion, and accessibility it provides. At the same time, they recognise that good healthcare often involves a blend of digital and face-to-face care.
“As trust and adoption grow, so too must the standards that support them. Genuine progress in telehealth will hinge on firm commitment to safety, compliance and clinical excellence. At Alternaleaf, we’ve long upheld this commitment to safe, compliant and patient-centred care.”
Confidence in the quality and regulation of telehealth is also growing, with 41% of Australians surveyed saying they believe telehealth clinics are as well-regulated or better regulated than traditional GP practices.
Preference is shifting too. Nearly one in four Australians (23%) say they would choose telehealth over an in-person consultation, with convenience cited as the top reason (74%). More than half (54%) say they feel just as comfortable, or even more so, discussing their health via telehealth as they do in person.
Clinicians are similarly supportive. Nine in ten healthcare professionals surveyed (91%) say that telehealth services support GPs and HCPs in their communities Almost half (48%) rated telehealth appointments as equally effective as in-person consultations.
Together, the findings show how Australia’s healthcare system is maturing to meet the needs of a modern population healthcare landscape, one where telehealth is reshaping how Australians access safe, high-quality care.
About Alternaleaf
Founded in 2021, Alternaleaf is one of Australia’s largest alternative healthcare providers, delivering trusted telehealth services for over 150,000 Australians. Built with purpose, the platform offers on-demand services for telehealth consultations with Ahpra-listed nurses and doctors and a personalised patient portal, for Australians to access alternative healthcare with ease and confidence.
About Online Research Unit
Sampling sourced from the Online Research Unit's (ORU) proprietary research panel. A total of 1,000 respondents from across Australia participated in the survey in July 2025. The sample was nationally representative, capturing a wide range of demographic, geographic, and attitudinal perspectives. Participants were screened to ensure relevance and current engagement with telehealth. The survey was conducted online using a structured quantitative questionnaire. Respondents answered a combination of multiple-choice, Likert scale, and ranking questions.
About Parallel/Ekas
Programmed and hosted by Parallel Data, with sample recruitment provided by Ekas.This research was conducted in August 2025 by Ekas and Parallel Data Research. A total of 202 Australian HCPs participated in the survey, ensuring representation across a broad range of medical and allied health professions, including 101 General Practitioners (GPs)/specialists and 101 pharmacists.
