FAQs

Stagger clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, assessing each patient on an individual basis. If our medical team determines a potential risk related to a specific prescription or treatment, it will not be issued.

Our team will provide recommendations for next steps, including in-person GP visits for further assessment.

In most cases a clinician or pharmacist (where appropriate) will review your assessment and respond within 24 hours.

Your assigned Australian-based clinician will assess you based on the answers you provide to our online questionnaire. Your medical team needs to know about your health (like your medications, lifestyle issues, any prior surgery and medical conditions). They’ll then review everything, determine if you’re a candidate for telemedicine and craft a personalised treatment plan just for you, guided by your background medical information.

Yes! When you organise your healthcare with Stagger, consider your repeats handled. We’ll ensure you never miss a repeat.

Once your treatment has been paid for, it will be dispatched within 1-3 days and sent via express delivery. Your product is shipped in an Australia Post package, which means it will be completely discreet.

Yes. As part of our commitment to patient safety, one of our clinicians will call you to discuss your treatment before they issue your treatment plan. Typically, the call is brief; however, you will have time to ask questions and discuss suitable treatment options.

Your consultation will be with one of our Australian-registered and experienced clinicians, either a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.

During the call, your clinician will start by verifying your identity and asking a couple of questions to clarify your questionnaire responses or follow up on anything that needs further clarification. You will be able to ask any questions and discuss suitable treatment options with your clinician before they issue your treatment plan.

Yes, you can choose a convenient time after you have paid for your consultation and verified your identity. Alternatively, you can join the queue for a call ASAP during business hours (8 am-8 pm AEST).

You can cancel or reschedule your appointment from your portal at https://portal.stagger.com.au

If you miss your call, your clinician will try calling again, so please remain near your phone. If your clinician is unable to contact you after multiple attempts, we’ll invite you to reschedule your consultation for another time.

When your clinician calls, the number will be 07 3911 1430.

No, consultations with our clinicians are not eligible for Medicare rebates. While there are some exceptions, Medicare rebates for telehealth consultations in Australia are generally only available where a patient has attended the same practice or practitioner in person within the last 12 months. While our fees are comparable with the out-of-pocket costs many patients pay for consultations in person, as an online service our consultations are all privately billed and do not attract Medicare rebates.

Of course! Our online platform enables ongoing support whenever you need it. To chat with your clinician, log into your profile, head to the ‘My Healthcare Team’ section of your portal. This is where you can message your assigned clinician.

You can delay your repeats at any time. Simply log into your profile, head to the ‘treatments’ tab and select ‘Manage Treatment’. From here you’ll see the ability to delay your treatment.

Alternatively, reach out to our team at [email protected] anytime.

To order a repeat early, log into your profile, head to the ‘Products’ tab and select ‘Manage Treatment’. You’ll see the ability to order an early repeat here.

An online doctor’s appointment, also known as a telehealth consultation or virtual doctor visit, is a modern healthcare service used across Australia. It allows patients to consult with online doctors via phone. Telehealth appointments are especially beneficial for Australians seeking general medical advice without visiting a clinic in person. Online doctor appointments are ideal for non-urgent healthcare needs, including prescription renewals, medical certificates, and referrals for blood tests and medical imaging.

Stagger offers a range of telehealth services, including telehealth appointments, online prescriptions, medical certificates, and referrals for blood tests and medical imaging. Stagger provides convenient and accessible healthcare for adults 18 and over in Australia. This age requirement ensures all users can responsibly manage their health needs online.

Telehealth appointments have several benefits over in-person visits, particularly for people in rural and remote areas. They’re more convenient, allowing you to see a doctor from home. They save time as there’s no travel needed, often have shorter wait times, and can fit easily into your schedule. Plus, telehealth is safer during flu season since it reduces contact with others.

Note that there are situations where seeing a doctor in person is essential, especially for conditions requiring a physical examination.

A standard telehealth GP consultation costs $49 regardless of how long it takes and what prescriptions, medical certificates, or referrals you need. It’s important to note that telehealth consultations are not eligible for Medicare rebates and we cannot bulk bill telehealth. This fixed price ensures transparent and upfront costs for accessing healthcare services from the comfort of your home.

Bulk bill telehealth appointments are typically only available for doctors or practices you have visited in person during the last 12 months. This means the cost of an online doctor’s appointment ($49) is not covered under Medicare’s bulk billing and must be paid directly by the patient. 

The wait time for a call can vary depending on whether you choose to schedule an appointment or join the queue. Generally, telehealth appointments are available on the same day, and patients in the queue can expect a call within a few hours (often under 15 minutes). However, wait times depend on specific circumstances and demand at that time.

You will receive an SMS prior to your appointment to alert you. If you still miss the call, your clinician will retry. If they don’t reach you after a second try, we will invite you to rebook or join the queue again (at no extra cost).

During telehealth appointments, prescribing medications is entirely up to the doctor’s judgement based on what’s best for you. However, our online doctors cannot prescribe certain medications, specifically those classified as Schedule 8, restricted, controlled or streamlined authority medications. This limitation ensures patient safety and adherence to medical guidelines.

To receive your blood test results, your clinician will schedule a follow-up telehealth doctor’s appointment for you. When you receive the notification of this appointment, simply book your preferred time, and your clinician will explain your results.

You must have an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) to consult with a telehealth doctor and for us to issue eScripts. In some cases, we can retrieve your IHI from the information provided during sign-up. In most other cases, we can obtain it from your Medicare or DVA card.

If you don’t have a Medicare or DVA card or prefer not to share that information, you can verify your identity using our Digital ID process – a secure online service from Australia Post that requires details from your ID documents. Please note that if you opt for Digital ID verification, we won’t be able to issue eScripts.

Whether looking for a telehealth appointment in Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, or Western Australia, our medical team provides telehealth to individuals in all Australian states and territories.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners states that “The most common first-line therapy is a PDE5 inhibitor” – so this is what Stagger provides.

Our Aussie based medical team prescribes the most common PDE-5 oral medications.

If you take your ED medication too soon before sex, it might not become active quickly enough and you could be left with an awkward situation where the drug isn’t quite fully active when you need it most.
It’s suggested that ED medication should be taken 1-2 hours before sexual activity.
Remember, please follow the directions as prescribed by your clinician.

On average, 82% of patients reported an improvement in their erections using PDE-5 inhibitors.

Oral ED medication is generally considered extremely effective, and studies show it works on the majority of men. But ED medication doesn’t work for everyone. It’s important to note that everyone’s reaction to a medication is unique.

Your Stagger clinician may recommend trying the medication multiple times under different circumstances. They may also increase your dose, depending on your reaction to the medication and any side effects. If you’ve been prescribed ED medication with Stagger, please contact your clinician through your portal in the products tab if you have any questions.

After you take ED medication, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to approximately one hour to start working. It’s not an instant reaction (as much as we’d like it to be).

If medications like PDE-5 inhibitors don’t seem to work for you, that’s completely fine and nothing to worry about. There are other treatments available that may be able to improve your erectile function and allow you to enjoy a satisfying sex life.

Because most ED drugs work similarly, they also have similar side effects. These side effects typically occur while the medications are active in the body, although in some cases it’s possible for the side effects of ED medication to last for slightly longer than the drug itself.

Commonly reported side effects of ED drugs are:

• Mild headaches, which are associated with all ED drugs.
• Dizziness. The dizziness from ED medication is typically not severe, but it can potentially lead to discomfort and fainting in people with underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular conditions
• Muscle aches or back pain
• Stuffy nose
• Facial flush, which can range from mild facial redness to bright red skin that looks like it’s affected by a rash
• Vision issues, including temporary blurry vision and blue-tinted vision.
• Digestive issues, ranging from diarrhoea to indigestion and bloating. These are usually temporary and can be made worse by consuming alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and dairy products.
• Indigestion

It’s important to pay close attention to these side effects if you have cardiovascular health conditions.

All of the ED medications currently available can cause a mild reduction in your blood pressure levels. This is caused by their effects on smooth muscle tissue and blood flow. This reduction is mild and does not cause any dangerous side effects in healthy men.

If you use nitrates or other medications to treat hypertension, the reduction in blood pressure caused by ED medications can be dangerous.

It’s important you answer honestly and truthfully on your questionnaire to ensure our medical team can provide the best treatment for you.

Yes, in most cases. Erectile dysfunction can be diagnosed by a clinician based on a patient self-reporting their symptoms and medical history.

Our Australian-based clinicians ask you questions to evaluate your symptoms and make sure it’s safe and appropriate to prescribe ED medication. They then use your answers to diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan. That’s why it’s vital you answer each question to the best of your knowledge and ensure that every answer in the questionnaire is answered truthful, accurate and thorough.

There are different options that your clinician may recommend, depending on your unique health situation. These include the most effective treatments recommended by the RACGP.

The simplest effective treatment is usually the best choice, so your clinician will try to prescribe the medication that is most likely to work well for you. Based on your experience, however, your management may change over time by switching to another medication choice or using a combination of agents. Some men use an oral medication and apply a topical anesthetic that they then cover with a condom. They get the sensations they want, experience the prolonged pleasure of an extended sexual experience, and orgasm at a time both they and a partner find satisfying. For other men, such a combination is overkill. That is why your personal experience is so important.

Our Aussie based clinicians prescribe the most common PE treatments which include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs
• Topical anaesthetics

Your dosage will depend on what medication your clinician prescribes. Please follow the package directions to ensure you’re using correctly for the best possible outcome.

Although no single treatment works for everyone, most men can be treated successfully. Just be sure to be honest and stay in contact with your Stagger medical team. There are multiple medications that can be tried, different topical therapies, and varied techniques that can be used alone or in unique combinations. Some people see immediate results. Others will find they need to try a few different methods before finding the right solution. If things don’t go as planned or if you experience an adverse side effect, don’t give up. You have options and we are here to help you find the best solution.

If the treatment prescribed to you doesn’t work, don’t worry! There are many options for treating premature ejaculation.

If you’re finding the PE treatment is not working, speak to your healthcare professional who can look at other treatment options with you.

Many side effects of SSRIs are transient and mild, meaning they’ll go away on their own as you get used to the medication. However, some side effects can be persistent. In rare cases, SSRIs can also cause serious, potentially harmful side effects.

Common side effects of SSRIs include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Reduced sex drive

Side effects from SSRIs generally improve over time without you needing to change your dosage or consider other medication.

ED often is an underlying cause of PE. Sometimes, the same stress that causes either one can cause both. However, ED itself can begin a flow of changes that results in PE. This is because men with ED often attempt to keep themselves erect by vigorously stimulating themselves, and this intense stimulation can inadvertently result in PE. When the erection is supported by these medications, vigorous stimulation is often not needed to maintain an erection. With less vigorous stimulation, men gain more control over the timing of their ejaculation.

Our medical team may prescribe prescription medication to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia). This medication helps patients maintain the hair they have and prevent further loss and possibly regrow some hair in areas where it has been lost.

While prescription treatment has proven successful in reducing further loss, they may also prescribe Minoxidil 5% non-prescription as a topical or capsule treatment, which has been proven as one of the most effective treatments for re-growing your hair.

Your doctor may recommend the use of a prescription medication combined with Minoxidil 5% non-prescription treatment. Remember, your treatment is specially tailored to you, so do not give to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Hair loss treatment can work to preserve hair and possibly even regrow hair. In one study, 90% of men with hair loss who used prescription medication either maintained their hair or saw improvements in hair growth, while about 40 percent of men experience hair regrowth when using Minoxidil 5% non-prescription treatment.

The RACP states that it’s important to emphasize that:

• no treatment will completely reverse the process
• the response to treatment is quite variable
• some people will not respond to particular treatments

The most likely reason for treatments not to work is quite simple – consistency. If you stop and start or miss days or doses, as with most medications, your treatment will be less effective. It may even stop working altogether.

If you’ve been using your treatment for 2-4 months with no success, then you may want to consult a healthcare professional. There could be an underlying reason why it hasn’t been effective, so it’s best to get professional medical advice if it does not work for you after a few months of consistent use.

Like almost all medications, there can be side effects. Most of the adverse side effects are mild, although some may have an impact on your quality of life.

Potential side effects include:

• Decreased sexual desire (low libido)
• Inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Pain or discomfort that affects the testicles
• Problems related to ejaculation, such as decreased ejaculatory volume
• Changes in mood or depression

If you experience side effects after you start using hair loss treatment, talk to your healthcare provider.

No, we don’t require photos to prescribe your treatment. In the questionnaire there are hair loss examples for you to choose from which is the most accurate to your hair loss. It’s important that you answer each question to the best of your knowledge and ensure that every answer in the questionnaire is truthful, accurate and thorough.

Treatment programs can take 3 to 6 months of daily use to start seeing visible changes. It can take up to a year to see maximum results. Like all medications or supplements, results may vary from person to person.

Stagger Dermatologists have extensive knowledge and experience in prescribing acne treatments. They only use ingredients they know and trust. These include prescription retinoids, hyaluronic acid, topical antibiotics, niacinamide, and azelaic acid.

The best acne treatment for you is dependent on your skin type, skin concerns, and the root cause of your acne. Mild or occasional breakouts can often be treated with over-the-counter pharmacy products. Recurring mild to moderate acne may require a prescription topical treatment, such as topical antibiotics or retinoids. Treatment for severe acne may require oral antibiotics or retinoids. Skin that is sensitive or prone to conditions like eczema or rosacea will require extra caution.

Stagger clinicians work with you to determine the best acne treatment for your specific skin type and concerns.

With Stagger, taking care of your skin is simple. Our clinicians will provide instructions specific to your prescription upon approval.

As a general guide, once your acne treatment has been delivered to your door:

• Apply your acne treatment once daily in the evening, after cleansing and before moisturising. Make sure you wash your hands well after applying.
• Due to the potent ingredients in your acne treatment, we recommend starting with a staggered application schedule – every second or third evening before building up to daily usage.
• You should start seeing improvements in just weeks, with full results visible after 3 months.

Stagger clinicians work with you to determine the best acne treatment for your specific skin type and concerns.

If you notice a reaction to the acne treatment you’ve been prescribed, immediately stop using the treatment and consult with a member of our medical team for further investigation. You can start a consult with a clinician via the patient portal.

Stagger clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, assessing each patient on an individual basis. If our medical team determines a potential risk related to a specific acne treatment, or your acne symptoms appear different to standard acne, treatment will not be issued. Your medical team may provide recommendations for next steps, including in-person GP visits for further assessment.

Stagger clinicians are committed to providing the highest standard of care. To prescribe you the best acne treatment for your skin, our medical team will require photos of your skin, but don’t worry, confidentiality will always be maintained. You can upload your photos via the patient portal once you’ve completed your initial assessment.

A Stagger clinician will review your assessment within 4-hours. In most cases, they’ll respond sooner than this.

If you’re prescribed acne treatment, the cost is $40 per month. We’ll express post your acne treatment each month, so you’ll never run out. You can cancel, pause, or delay your acne treatment at any time without cancellation fee. 

Our clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, which means that each patient is assessed on an individual basis. If the clinician determines that it is not safe for you to be prescribed a treatment for cold sores or that your symptoms appear different to a standard cold sore, they may recommend that you visit another GP in person to be further assessed.

The cause of reflux is thought to be related to your diet. However, factors of weight, pregnancy, connective tissue disorder, stress, smoking, certain body movements, bending over, and certain medications can also contribute towards the onset of reflux. GORD is primarily caused by an issue with the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), a muscle located at the bottom of the oesophagus (food pipe).

Commonly prescribed treatment for reflux includes antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Antacids work by neutralising the stomach acid that causes reflux, and are available in liquid, chewable, and tablet forms. PPIs work on the cells that line the stomach to reducing acid production.

Our clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, which means that each patient is assessed on an individual basis. If our medical team determines that it is not safe for you to be prescribed a sleep treatment, or believes that you should visit another GP in person to be further assessed, you will not be issued a prescription and they will provide you with some recommendations on next steps.

Symptoms include: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Chest tightness, Wheezing

Pollen, Exercise, Smoke Respiratory illness’, Air pollutants, Irritants (aerosols, perfumes, dust, etc) and more.

Asthma is largely treated with inhalers, categorised into two treatments either a “preventer” or a “reliever”, in some cases multiple are required to ensure optimal asthma management is achieved.

Relievers are used to relax the muscles in the airways that become contracted and tight and cause the airway to become narrow, which reduces the ability to breathe effectively.

Preventers are used to reduce the inflammation and swelling within the airways, ultimately allowing for more effective breathing to take place.

Stagger clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, and since text-based consults do not provide our doctors with enough information to determine whether you have HSV-2, unfortunately they can only offer prescriptions and treatments to patients who have already been diagnosed with HSV-2 by another doctor.

Our platform aims to simplify healthcare for those who are already on HSV-2 medication. If you believe you have Herpes Simplex Virus, visit your local GP for assessment.

Our clinicians provide the highest standard of healthcare, which means that each patient is assessed on an individual basis. If our medical team determines that it is not safe for you to be prescribed a treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2), or believes that you should visit another GP in person to be further assessed, you will not be issued a prescription and they will provide you with some recommendations on next steps. For example, if you have not been previously diagnosed by a GP as having HSV-2 our clinicians will no be able to issue you a prescription due to the lack of information available in a text-based consult.

If you have not been previously diagnosed as having HSV-2, we recommend you visit your local GP, as we will not be able to correctly assess via an online consult. Symptoms for genital herpes typically include a group of itchy or painful blisters in your genital area, which break and turn into sores. You may also experience burning when you urinate, trouble urinating, itching, pain around your genitals. With HSV-2 you can also experience flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, fever, chills, headache or feeling achy and tired.