1. Why Burst Health Is Suddenly Everywhere

Run a quick Instagram scroll or step onto a Sydney bus and you’ll meet cheerful ads promising “modern weight-loss medicine in days” or “doctor-approved treatments without the waiting room.” Those posts come from Burst Health, a Brisbane-based telehealth service that dispatches prescription drugs—think GLP-1 weight-loss injectables, ED tablets, acne antibiotics—to doorsteps around Australia. Launched in 2020, the platform surged as Covid-19 normalised video GP consults and electronic prescriptions, then re-invested cashflow into an aggressive digital marketing push.

With bold claims and a product mix that brushes up against tightly regulated prescription markets, consumers quite reasonably ask: Is Burst Health legit—or too good to be true? Let’s unpack the evidence.

2. What Exactly Does Burst Health Do?

Burst Health describes itself as an “online medical centre” that offers:

• Telehealth GP consultations by phone or video
• Condition-specific questionnaires (weight, hair, sexual health) triaged by in-house doctors
• ePrescriptions delivered via SMS or direct to partner pharmacies
• National shipping of medicines within two–three business days
• Automatic repeats for ongoing prescriptions

The company’s site prominently states that it employs “certified Australian doctors & nurses” and is “registered with Ahpra & RACGP.”

3. Regulatory Framework: How Telehealth Is Policed in Australia

Understanding legitimacy begins with knowing the rules:

1. AHPRA & National Boards: Every doctor who consults via Burst Health must hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The public register is searchable and free.
2. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA): While the TGA polices advertising of prescription-only medicines, it does not regulate health-service advertising per se. Telehealth companies can legally promote their services but cannot directly spruik specific prescription brands.
3. Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): Digital clinics must protect patients’ health data under the Privacy Act 1988.
4. Pharmacy Board & State Medicines Legislation: Partner pharmacies filling e-scripts must comply with state scheduling, storage and safe-supply rules.

In short, a legit platform must (a) employ AHPRA-registered clinicians, (b) avoid unlawful drug advertising, and (c) handle prescriptions through licensed pharmacies.

4. Burst Health’s Evidence of Compliance

AHPRA claims
Burst Health’s blog asserts that its doctors are AHPRA-registered and that the service aligns with RACGP telehealth standards. Independent checks of half a dozen practitioner names supplied in patient invoices confirm active AHPRA registration in “General Practice” or “Rural & Remote Medicine”. (Always run your own search before consulting.)

Secure tech & ePrescription integration
The company uses the Australian Government’s electronic prescription token system, allowing scripts to be scanned by any compliant pharmacy. SSL certificates on the site are valid and rated “secure” by multiple malware filters.

Positive trust-score algorithms
Reputation tool Scamadviser gives Burst Health a “high trust rating,” noting valid SSL, transparent company details and largely favourable consumer reviews (4.7 / 5 from more than 2,700 ratings).

5. Red Flags and Regulatory Stumbles

Exit from New Zealand after Medsafe warning
In October 2024 Burst Health withdrew from the NZ market after the medicines watchdog Medsafe issued a written warning for illegally advertising prescription weight-loss drugs (Saxenda, Contrave, Duromine) on social media. The episode doesn’t automatically condemn the Australian service—but it shows marketing missteps abroad.

Advertising grey zones at home
Guardian reporting highlights how Australian telehealth firms skirt the ban on direct-to-consumer prescription ads by using euphemisms such as “science-backed injectables.” Regulators warn that even indirect references can breach the Therapeutic Goods Act if they amount to drug promotion. Burst Health’s weight-loss pages tread that line, referring to “clinically proven GLP-1 treatments” without naming brands.

Polarised customer feedback
Alongside thousands of five-star posts, Scamadviser lists complaints about shipping delays and patchy customer support, with some reviewers labelling the service a “scam” after two-week waits. Reddit threads echo mixed experiences—some users receive medication promptly; others cancel after stalled dispatch. Consistency, not outright fraud, appears the issue.

6. Assessing Safety: Medicine Quality & Prescribing Standards

Prescription control
Burst Health doctors issue scripts only after reviewing questionnaires or conducting phone consults. For Schedule 4 drugs (e.g., phentermine) and Schedule 8 appetite suppressants, state Real-Time Prescription Monitoring systems log supply. Falsified identity documents could still slip through, but the legal obligation sits with the prescriber and pharmacist.

Pharmacy fulfilment
Orders are dispensed by partner pharmacies operating under state law; shipping labels list APH numbers and pharmacist names, aligning with legal dispensing requirements.

Clinical appropriateness
Legitimacy isn’t just legal—it’s clinical. Rapid questionnaire-based prescribing invites criticism that nuanced obesity management or mental-health assessments can’t be done in ten clicks. Yet research during the pandemic shows telehealth outcomes for chronic conditions can match in-person care when protocols are robust. Consumers should ask:

• Will I speak to a doctor, or is it form-only?
• What follow-up is included?
• Are lifestyle measures integrated, or are pills the entire plan?

If answers feel vague, look elsewhere.

7. Cost Transparency: Are Cheap Scripts Too Good to Be True?

Burst Health advertises GLP-1 injectables “from $4.39/day” but fine-print reveals that price reflects a weekly cost amortised over a 30-day supply and may exclude consult and shipping fees. Always compare:

1. Consult fee (some services bundle this, others charge $20–$49 per call).
2. Medicine cost versus local chemist (Ozempic is PBS-subsidised for diabetes, not obesity; private scripts vary wildly).
3. Repeat prescription policy—how often will you pay another consult fee?

Transparent pricing supports legitimacy; hidden add-ons erode trust.

8. Accessibility Wins—Especially for Regional & Indigenous Patients

Australia’s vast geography leaves many towns without full-time GPs or pharmacies. Burst Health’s courier model extends timely access to weight-loss drugs, hair-loss treatments and repeat contraception. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, telehealth can bridge cultural and distance barriers—provided clinicians are trained in culturally safe care and scripts do not undermine community-led health programs. Burst Health’s site does not yet outline an Indigenous health framework, a gap worth raising with management before use.

9. Due-Diligence Checklist Before You Click “Order”

1. Verify the doctor: copy the prescriber’s name into the AHPRA register.
2. Check the script: ensure your ePrescription displays PBS or private status, drug strength, quantity and repeats.
3. Compare prices: ring a local pharmacy; sometimes in-store is cheaper after PBS subsidy.
4. Review shipping policy: ask for tracking and expected dispatch window.
5. Confirm customer support: test response times via chat or email before paying.
6. Inspect advertising: if the website or ad names a prescription-only brand, be cautious—it may signal regulatory corner-cutting.

10. Is Burst Health Legit? The Verdict

On balance, Burst Health is a legitimate Australian telehealth provider that employs registered doctors and dispenses medicine through licensed pharmacies. Its secure infrastructure, positive algorithmic trust score and ePrescription integration support that conclusions.

However, legitimacy is not infallibility. The company’s 2024 Medsafe reprimand, occasional shipping glitches and marketing tactics hovering close to TGA boundaries highlight areas of risk. Scrutinise each prescription, keep your own GP in the loop and be prepared to chase customer service if parcels stall.

If you value doorstep delivery and can tolerate some administrative friction, Burst Health delivers on its promise. If you crave face-to-face continuity, a local GP-pharmacy relationship may serve you better. The litmus test isn’t whether Burst Health is technically legit; it’s whether the service aligns with your health priorities, risk tolerance and ethical expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does Burst Health hold an Australian pharmacy licence?

No. Burst Health itself is not a pharmacy; it partners with licensed Australian pharmacies that dispense ePrescriptions generated by its doctors.

Q2. Can Burst Health legally advertise weight-loss injections?

Telehealth services may advertise consultations but cannot mention prescription-only drug names. Guardian reporting shows regulators warn against any ad that implies specific brands.

Q3. Why did Burst Health leave New Zealand?

Medsafe issued a warning over social-media ads for prescription weight-loss drugs. Burst Health chose to exit rather than contest the ruling.

Q4. Is my data safe with Burst Health?

The site uses valid SSL encryption and complies with Australia’s electronic prescription token standards. Nonetheless, read the privacy policy to understand secondary data use.

Q5. How long does delivery really take?

Most users report two–three business days, but reviews reveal occasional delays up to two weeks. Order tracking and proactive support queries help mitigate surprises.

References

1. Burst Health official site—“Online Healthcare & Prescription Delivery.” https://bursthealth.com.au
2. Burst Health blog—“Australia’s Trusted Online Medical Centre.” https://bursthealth.com.au/blogs/news/australias-trusted-online-medical-centre
3. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency—Public Register. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/registration/registers-of-practitioners.aspx
4. Scamadviser—“bursthealth.com.au Review.” https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/bursthealth.com.au
5. Pharmacy Today—“Telehealth provider Burst Health exits NZ after Medsafe warning”, Oct 16 2024. https://www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/article/news/telehealth-provider-burst-health-exits-nz-after-medsafe-warning
6. NZ Doctor—“Telehealth provider Burst Health exits NZ after Medsafe warning”, Oct 2024. https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/telehealth-provider-burst-health-exits-nz-after-medsafe-warning
7. The Guardian—“Ads for ‘weight-loss treatments’ are everywhere in Australia. Are they promoting prescription drugs?”, Nov 18 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/18/ads-prescription-drugs-weight-loss-ozempic-legal-australia
8. Reddit—“Anyone else here in Australia who has ordered via Burst Health?” https://www.reddit.com/r/liraglutide/comments/yfq4jh/anyone_else_here_in_australia_who_has_ordered_via/

(Information current as of 15 June 2025. Always verify details and consult your healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.)