This AI Partnership Could Reshape Telehealth in Australia

Eucalyptus and Amigo test AI to lighten clinician load and set new standards in digital care

23 Sep 2025

Australia’s telehealth sector is entering a new phase. Digital health company Eucalyptus has teamed up with US-based Amigo to pilot artificial intelligence in its virtual clinics, a move that could reshape how patients experience care.

The partnership is designed to speed up consultations and reduce pressure on clinicians struggling to keep pace with demand. Eucalyptus, which runs clinics in weight management, reproductive health, and men’s health, sees AI as a way to expand services without compromising safety. Amigo provides AI agents that handle routine tasks such as triage, reminders, follow-ups, and coaching, leaving doctors more time for complex medical decisions.

Early trials suggest the model could work. In pilot programs, only a small fraction of patient interactions required escalation to human staff. Advocates say this hints at a future where AI makes virtual care faster and smoother. Critics, however, warn that outcomes may differ across specialties and more complicated cases.

The timing is critical. Regulators and insurers are pressing for stronger safety standards and greater transparency in telehealth. Eucalyptus has already faced public scrutiny over prescribing practices in weight management, making oversight central to how this experiment unfolds.

Big questions remain. Can AI adapt to the unpredictable range of medical concerns patients bring forward? Will rare or nuanced conditions be missed? Supporters argue the technology must operate with strict guardrails and human oversight to protect patients.

For patients, the upside could mean shorter waits and clearer communication. For the industry, the trial could become an early test of how artificial intelligence might be woven into clinical care. What is certain is that Australia’s telehealth market is being nudged toward a future where AI plays a more visible, carefully managed role.