Blog
About Australia’s Electronic Prescription System (e-Script)
2026-10-14
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What is an electronic prescription (e-Script)?
At GP clinics and hospitals in Australia, you can receive digital prescriptions.
Your prescription is sent to your phone via SMS or email as a QR code, which makes it very convenient especially for telehealth appointments. You can have your medication dispensed by showing the QR code at pharmacies anywhere in Australia.
Even during the face-to-face consultation, you can also request an electronic prescription if you prefer.
If you need long-term medication
If you need medication for long-term use, you should ask your doctor for a repeat prescription.
The extent of repeat prescriptions varies depending on the medication. For example, birth control pills may be prescribed for up to one year, while the medications for blood pressure or cholesterol may be for up to six months.
With repeat prescriptions, you need to wait some time to purchase additional medication after your initial prescription.
There are also the limits on how much medication can be dispensed at one time, but the system allows you to repurchase your medication before you run out.
What happens after you receive a repeat prescription?
With a repeat prescription, once you collect your first medication, the pharmacy will send you a new QR code for your next refill.
Even if you accidentally delete the prescription, you can contact the pharmacy, and they can resend the QR code. It is very helpful.
If you save a screenshot of the QR code, there is less risk of losing it compared to a paper prescription.
You can also take your new QR code to a different pharmacy. It doesn’t need to be the one you used previously.
The system is the same across all states in Australia. Even if you move or travel to another city, there should be no issue.
You need an IHI number to receive an electronic prescription
If you would like to receive an electronic prescription, you will need to obtain an IHI number, which links your personal information to your mobile phone.
Even students and working holiday visa holders without Medicare can easily apply for an IHI number using their passport number.
For information on how to apply for an IHI number, please refer to the link below.
- YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPUvIhxs2IU
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAcTWtwz3jv/?img_index=1
Dr Mayumi Yoshida
吉田まゆみ医師 🇦🇺 🇯🇵 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
MBBS, BMedSci, MRCGP, DFSRH (UK), FRACGP (Australia), ECFMG(USA)
福岡県福岡市出身。16才の時に渡英。2003 年に英国ノッティンガム大学医学部を卒業、イギリスの医師免許を取得。2007年にアメリカの医師免許資格(ECFMG Certificate)を取得。2014年に英国オックスフォードで総合診療医／GP課程を修了、イギリスとオーストラリア両国のGP資格を保持する。2024年に日本の医師国家試験に合格し、現在イギリス、アメリカ、オーストラリア、日本の４か国における医師国家資格を有する。
