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Preparing for your appointment

Getting ready for your consultation

A little preparation makes your appointment far more useful. Most of it takes a few minutes: check your device works, gather your documents, and find a quiet spot. If you need an interpreter, that’s the one thing worth sorting out early.

Already had your appointment confirmed? Your encrypted video link arrives by email and SMS—there’s no app to download.

See your appointment journey
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Plan ahead

Before the day

Your device and connection

Check your device and connection

Telecare works on any modern device with a camera, microphone and speakers—a laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet is fine. Your appointment runs through your web browser, so it’s worth checking both your device and your browser are up to date well before the day.

Your device
Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.12 or later, Android 8 or later, or iOS 13 or later
Your browser
A current version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge
Your connection
A standard home Wi-Fi, NBN or 4G connection is generally fine
See full technical requirementsProcessor and memory, exact browser versions and speed test
Not sure your setup will work?

Our team can help you test your device and connection before the day.

Contact us

Arrange this early

Interpreting and Auslan

Let us know when you book if you need an interpreter, so we can arrange the right support in time.

Psychiatry appointments

If you’re eligible for Medicare, interpreting is available free of charge through the national Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).

Psychology appointments

You’ll need to arrange your own interpreter, at your own cost.

Auslan

We can connect you with Auslan interpreting through the National Sign Language Program if you are aged 65 or over, are a First Nations person aged 50 or over, or are unable to access the NDIS. Fees apply. If you don’t meet these criteria, you can arrange interpreting directly through Deaf Connect’s National Sign Language Program.

What to have with you

Gather your documents

Having these ready means more of your appointment is spent on you, rather than on catching up.

  • Your Medicare card
  • Your referral letter
  • A list of your current medications, including doses
  • Notes on your symptoms and concerns—jotting these down beforehand means nothing gets forgotten
  • Any questions you want to ask—this is your appointment
  • Recent reports, test results or imaging, open on your device or nearby so you can refer to them
  • Reports supporting an existing diagnosis, if another health professional has already assessed you
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Consultation day

On the day

Your space

Find a quiet, private space

  • Take the call somewhere private and quiet, where you won’t be interrupted.
  • Make sure the room is well lit—ideally with natural light coming from behind your device, facing you.
  • A second screen or a notepad is handy if you want to take notes during the consultation.
Bringing a support person

You’re welcome to have a family member, carer or support person with you. Let us know beforehand if someone will be joining you.

Camera position

Position your camera

Sit so you’re centred in the frame with the camera at eye level—if you’re using a built-in laptop camera, you may need to raise the laptop on a few books to get the height right. Keep the camera about an arm’s length away from you.

Eye level
Arm’s length away
Centred in frame

Joining your appointment

Join 15 minutes early

Technical hiccups happen to everyone. Joining a quarter of an hour before your start time gives you room to sort out anything unexpected without eating into your consultation.

Free up your internet connection

Streaming services and online gaming share your internet connection and can affect call quality. Close Netflix, Stan, games and any large downloads for the duration of your session.

If an appointment can’t go ahead—because key information is missing, or the environment is too distracting to consult safely—a cancellation fee may apply.

Save for later

Quick checklist

A simple summary to screenshot, save or print before your appointment.

Before the day

  • Device and browser up to date
  • Interpreter arranged, if you need one
  • Medicare card and referral letter to hand
  • Medication list written out
  • Symptoms, concerns and questions noted down
  • Recent reports and results accessible

On the day

  • Quiet, private, well-lit room
  • Camera at eye level, arm’s length away
  • Streaming and downloads closed
  • Joined 15 minutes early
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Your appointment journey

Four steps, from GP referral to your specialist’s letter back to your GP.

View guide 03

Fees & Medicare

Gap fees, bulk billing eligibility and condition-specific pricing.

View fee information 04

Frequently asked questions

Visit the Telecare help centre for quick answers.

Visit help centre

You’ll be sharing documents and health information with us. Read how we protect your privacy and records

Need help getting set up?

Contact our support team