A win for physicians and patients: MBS telephone items restored

MBS physician telephone items are being restored thanks to your voices and our sustained advocacy. As of 1 November 2025, you will have greater flexibility in the use of telephone consultations and your patients will have improved and more equitable access to the services they rely on.

This change means greater flexibility for you in delivering care, and more equitable access for patients, whether through short check-ins or longer, complex follow-ups. It’s a powerful outcome of our collective advocacy, ensuring telehealth remains a practical, reliable option alongside video and face-to-face consultations.

Key changes include:

• three new telephone items for consultant physicians and specialists, including telephone equivalents to items such as 116, 133 and 143
• support for longer, more complex follow-up consultations by phone
• Continuity with existing short, minor attendance items, ensuring a full suite of options across phone, video and face-to-face.

We would like to thank all members who who contributed to this advocacy with our Policy & Advocacy team. Your efforts have ensured the restoration of vital telehealth access for the patients who need it most. Reminders will be shared ahead of the phase-in when more information is available on MBS Online.