Can I book during a migraine attack?

You can seek an appointment for a familiar pattern when you can safely participate, subject to availability. Do not wait online if the headache is sudden, unusual or accompanied by warning symptoms. The doctor may still recommend an examination after hearing your history.

Do I need a scan before discussing migraine?

Not automatically. Investigation depends on the history and assessment rather than the word migraine alone. Bring any previous reports. Your doctor can explain whether further examination or [imaging assessment](/imaging) is warranted instead of promising a scan as part of every consultation.

Is visual disturbance always migraine aura?

No. A new or unusual visual symptom needs appropriate assessment, especially if it persists or occurs with weakness or speech difficulty. Do not assume a previous migraine diagnosis explains every new episode. Describe exactly what you see and how the symptoms develop.

Can I discuss preventing attacks?

Yes. Tell the doctor how often attacks occur, their impact and what you currently use. Whether a preventive approach is appropriate depends on the assessment. The consultation can identify what further information or continuing care is needed before deciding on a plan.

Can you provide a certificate for missed work?

A doctor can consider documentation when the assessment supports an illness-related absence. It is not automatic and the dates must be clinically justified. Use the [certificate pathway](/medical-certificates) for documentation requests or book a full consultation when you also need migraine assessment.

What are the consultation fees?

A migraine consultation is $59 during business hours or $79 after hours. The fee covers assessment and advice, not a guaranteed prescription or investigation. External tests, pharmacy costs and specialist appointments are separate. See [pricing](/pricing) for the current service structure.

Migraine assessment and review online

An online migraine consultation can help review a familiar headache pattern, discuss its impact and consider appropriate management. A Doccio doctor asks about the symptoms, previous diagnoses and changes before deciding whether remote care is suitable. A first, sudden or unusual headache may need urgent in-person assessment instead. The goal is a considered plan and clear safety advice, not to assume every headache is migraine or promise a particular prescription.

Discuss migraine symptoms

$59 AHPRA-registered doctorsOnline consultations available during service hours

Woman holding her temples with her eyes closed

Same-day GP consult

Medical certificate if you need it

$29 Repeat prescription

Symptoms people report:Throbbing headacheLight sensitivitySound sensitivityNauseaVisual auraActivity-related worsening

Migraine symptoms vary, and new neurological symptoms must not automatically be attributed to a previous diagnosis. See Healthdirect's migraine guide.

When telehealth may help

You have an established migraine diagnosis and a familiar symptom pattern.
You want to review how often attacks occur and how they affect daily life.
You need to discuss previous management, tolerability or follow-up.
You can provide a symptom diary and a complete medicine list.
You need advice about whether another examination or specialist opinion is appropriate.

When online care may not be enough

The headache is sudden, severe, new or substantially different from usual.
You have new weakness, confusion, speech difficulty or persistent visual loss.
A neurological examination or urgent investigation is needed.
You are pregnant or recently postpartum with a new or significant headache.
Symptoms follow a head injury or occur with fever and neck stiffness.

When telehealth is not the right place

Some migraine symptoms need in-person or emergency care. If any of these apply, don't book online:

Emergency: sudden, extremely severe headache - call 000.
Emergency: headache with weakness, speech changes, confusion or collapse - call 000.
Emergency: severe headache with fever and a stiff neck.
Urgent assessment: a significant new headache in pregnancy or after birth.
Urgent assessment: worsening headache after injury or persistent visual loss.

Call 000 in an emergency.

For urgent but non-life-threatening advice call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours), or go to your nearest emergency department. Doccio doctors will always tell you if a request should be seen in person.

How the consultation works

Describe the pattern

Explain the onset, duration, frequency and associated symptoms, including anything different from usual.

Review previous care

Discuss diagnoses, investigations, medicines and the response to previous management.

Consider the next step

Your doctor assesses whether remote management, examination or referral is appropriate.

Agree on follow-up

Understand what to track and which changes require urgent rather than routine reassessment.

What your consultation covers

The headache history: the pattern over time, associated symptoms and any change that needs further investigation.
Daily impact: missed activities, sleep disruption and the practical effect of attacks on work or family life.
Medicine use: all current products, how often they are taken and any problems or adverse effects.
Management goals: discussion of attack management and whether a preventive approach warrants assessment.
Further assessment: the role of examination or specialist referral when the presentation is complex.
A review plan: a diary, agreed follow-up and clear advice about warning symptoms.

Discuss migraine symptoms

Understanding migraine and headache care

Migraine is more than a bad headache

Migraine is a neurological condition that can involve headache, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people experience aura, while others do not. Symptoms and their effect can vary between attacks. Healthdirect describes the main features.

At the appointment, explain what happens before, during and after the headache. A sequence of symptoms is more useful than a pain score alone. Mention any new features even when you have had migraine for years.

The pattern helps guide assessment

A diary can record headache days, associated symptoms, possible triggers and the effect of medicines. It can also show whether you are losing more days to symptoms than you first realised. The RACGP's review of migraine care discusses assessment and the distinction between acute and preventive management.

You do not need a perfect record to seek care. Bring whatever information you have, including previous investigation reports and the names of approaches that did or did not help.

Review frequent medicine use

Repeated use of some headache medicines can itself contribute to a pattern of frequent headaches. This is one reason to disclose non-prescription products as well as prescribed treatment. Healthdirect explains medication-overuse headache.

Do not simply increase the frequency of an old approach without discussing the overall pattern. Ask your clinician how to review current use safely and what alternatives might need assessment. Advice should be specific to your history, not copied from another person's plan.

Good care includes a safety plan

Not every headache needs a scan, but an online conversation cannot replace a necessary examination. Red flags, a changed pattern or diagnostic uncertainty can justify an in-person review. The RACGP discussion highlights the importance of distinguishing migraine from other causes.

Ask what to do if the agreed plan is not helping and which symptoms change the urgency. If an attack affects your ability to work, a medical certificate can be considered separately on its clinical merits. Documentation must not take priority over investigating an unusual or dangerous presentation.