Request an Action Plan Online
- Choose the plan you need — request an asthma, anaphylaxis or allergy action plan online.
- Speak with an Australian doctor — complete a genuine video consultation with an AHPRA-registered practitioner.
- $31.99 consultation fee — if your plan is approved, download it securely after your appointment.
Choose your action plan
Select the plan that matches your needs. Each service has a $31.99 consultation fee.
Asthma
Asthma Action Plan
A written plan to help you recognise changes in asthma symptoms and follow the treatment steps discussed with your doctor.
$31.99 consultation fee
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis Action Plan
An ASCIA-style action plan setting out signs of anaphylaxis and the emergency steps discussed with your doctor.
$31.99 consultation fee
Request an Anaphylaxis Action Plan
About Anaphylaxis Action Plans →
Allergy
Allergy Action Plan
A practical plan for managing mild to moderate allergic reactions, based on your history and doctor’s assessment.
$31.99 consultation fee
How it works
- Choose your planSelect an asthma, anaphylaxis or allergy action plan above.
- Answer a few questionsTell us about your health, symptoms, triggers and current treatment.
- Pay the consultation feeThe verified consultation fee for each action plan service is $31.99.
- Consult with a doctorAttend a real-time video consultation with an Australian doctor.
- Download if approvedIf clinically appropriate, your doctor will approve a plan for secure download.
About online action plan consultations
An action plan is a written guide for managing a diagnosed condition. During your appointment, the doctor will review the information you provide and decide whether an action plan is clinically appropriate. Approval is not automatic, and the doctor may recommend an in-person assessment or further follow-up.
Action plan FAQs
If you need to request an asthma action plan, an allergy action plan or an anaphylaxis action plan from Qoctor, you’ll usually be able to book your video appointment and, if approved by the doctor, get your document downloaded- all within a few hours. Occasionally, if you happen to be booking late in the day, you may need to wait till the following morning for the next available consultation.
Once your consultation is complete and the doctor has approved the action plan, the document can be downloaded immediately, so you’ll be able to provide it to your child’s school or childcare provider as soon as possible.
Qoctor can provide consultations for asthma, allergy and anaphylaxis action plans to children aged 3 years and above, subject to the online assessment with the doctor.
Please note, if your child has poorly managed symptoms and/or is having a lot of episodes of their asthma/allergy/anaphylaxis, it is likely that you will be advised to see a doctor in person instead, in which case a refund can be offered.
- For insect allergy – flick out sting if visible
- For tick allergy seek medical help or freeze tick and let it drop off
- Stay with person and call for help
- Give antihistamine (if prescribed)
- Phone family/emergency contact
SIGNS OF MILD TO MODERATE ALLERGIC REACTION include:
• Swelling of lips, face, eyes •Tingling mouth
• Hives or welts • Abdominal pain, vomiting.
Note that abdominal pain and vomiting can be signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy.
1- LAY THE PERSON FLAT – do NOT allow them to stand or walk
• If unconscious or pregnant, place in recovery position- on left side if pregnant
• If breathing is difficult allow them to sit with legs outstretched
• Hold young children flat, not upright
2 GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR
3 Phone ambulance – 000 (AU) or 111 (NZ)
4 Phone family/emergency contact
5 Further adrenaline may be given if no response after 5 minutes
6 Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation
IF IN DOUBT GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR
Commence CPR at any time if person is unresponsive and not breathing normally
ALWAYS GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR FIRST, and then asthma
reliever puffer if someone with known asthma and allergy to food, insects or
medication has SUDDEN BREATHING DIFFICULTY (including wheeze, persistent
cough or hoarse voice) even if there are no skin symptoms
Common symptoms of mild to moderate allergies include:
- Swelling of the lips, face, eyes
- Tingling mouth
- Hives or welts on the skin
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
However, abdominal pain and vomiting are deemed a sign of anaphylaxis if related to an insect sting/bite.
More severe allergy symptoms associated with anaphylaxis include:
- Difficult or noisy breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Swelling or tightness in the throat
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Difficulty talking or hoarse voice
- Persistent dizziness or collapse
- Pale and floppy (young children)
Symptoms & signs of anaphylaxis include
- Tight or constricted breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Difficulty speaking and sometimes a hoarse voice
- Swelling or tightness in the throat
- Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness/collapse
- Pale appearance and floppiness in small children or babies
Sometimes there may be milder signs of allergy before the above symptoms start, which can include:
- A tingling sensation around the lips or mouth.
- Hives or welts
- Abdominal pain and vomiting (although these are viewed as signs of anaphylaxis in the case of insect allergy)
In around 1 in 5 cases, there may be a second bout of anaphylaxis within 12 hours of the first. This is called biphasic anaphylaxis.
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) was established in 1990 as the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA action plans are standardised documents that allow parents, carers and teachers to take the correct steps to recognise and treat allergies and anaphylaxis affecting children under their care.
Allergic diseases are amongst the fastest growing chronic disease and public health issues in Australia, affecting around 20% of the population. They include food, insect and drug allergies, asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and eczema. The most severe type of allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis, which is potentially life threatening.
Adrenaline autoinjectors are designed to be given by non-medical people, such as parents, school and childcare staff, friends, passers-by or the allergic person themselves (if they are well and old enough). Adrenaline autoinjector devices contain a single, fixed dose of adrenaline that works rapidly to reverse the episode of anaphylaxis. Instructions regarding correct use are included on the device labels, and on ASCIA Action Plans
No, unfortunately Qoctor cannot offer a Medicare rebate for telehealth. This is due to Medicare regulations in place since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, which state that a patient must have seen a doctor in person within the past 12 months for a Medicare rebate to be applied to most telehealth appointments. Therefore, as a fully online telehealth service, Qoctor can not offer Medicare rebates. However, Qoctor aims to keep services as affordable and accessible as possible, providing same day appointments in most cases.
The cost of a telehealth appointment to discuss an ASCIA allergy or anaphylaxis action plan (including the video consultation with the doctor) is $31.99.
If a patient wishes to also get a prescription for a new adrenaline autoinjector (Epipen) at the same time as the action plan, the total cost is $36.99.
It is a fully private service. Unfortunately Qoctor is unable to offer bulk-billing for telehealth consultations, as Medicare rules dictate that the doctor must have seen the patient face to face within the previous 12 months for a rebate to be applied for most telehealth services. This is obviously not possible for a fully online telehealth provider such as Qoctor. However, we strive to keep our service accessible and affordable for all.
ASCIA Action Plans do not expire- the plan is actually still valid beyond the “review date”, which is just a guide for patients to see their doctor. Ideally, ASCIA Action Plans should be reviewed when patients are reviewed by their doctor and/or each time they obtain a new adrenaline autoinjector (Epipen) prescription, which is generally every 12 to 18 months. If there are no changes in a person’s condition or treatment, the medical information on the ASCIA Action Plan may not need to be changed. However, if the patient is a child, the photo should be updated regularly, so they can be easily identified.
For more information on anaphylaxis and action plans, check out the ASCIA website.
ASCIA Action Plans were first developed in 2003 to standardise the recognition of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and provide easy to follow steps for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. They continue to be used as the standard action plans throughout Australia and New Zealand. The content is regularly reviewed by experts and updated as necessary.
Qoctor uses up to date ASCIA templates for all action plans.
Common anaphylaxis triggers include
- Foods such as peanuts, tree-nuts, fish, shellfish and others
- Medications- such as antibiotics, aspirin, intravenous contrast
- Insect stings and bites- from wasps, bees, fire ants, hornets, yellow jackets
- Latex
- Rarely, exercise is a cause of anaphylaxis- in some cases, exercise after eating certain foods or exercising in certain temperatures.
- A history of certain medical conditions can increase the risk of having anaphylaxis, including the presence of other allergies and asthma.
Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergy. Normally, the immune system defends the body against threats such as bacteria and viruses. An allergy is when a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to something it’s exposed to- for example, food, pollen, animal dander, insect bites or medication. The immune system releases chemicals in response to the trigger. Mild allergy leads to symptoms such as itchy eyes, hives and a runny nose. However, in anaphylaxis the allergic reaction is much more severe and can happen within moments of exposure to a trigger- a wave of chemicals is released by the immune system, quickly affecting a person’s breathing and circulation. It is a medical emergency and usually requires urgent treatment with an adrenaline injection (such as an Epipen).
Qoctor can provide assessment for action plans for children aged 3 years and above. We recommend seeing your regular GP or paediatrician to obtain action plans for children younger than three years. This is because other conditions commonly present in children in this younger age group, that can mimic asthma or may occur with asthma.
- Rhinitis
- Respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and RSV infection (respiratory syncytial virus)
- Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- Other airway abnormalities or breathing dysfucntion
In most situations, Qoctor can provide assessment for an asthma action plan- however, we will recommend that you see a local doctor in certain situations, including:
- if your child’s asthma is not well controlled
- if your child is acutely unwell with respiratory symptoms
- if your child has had 2 or more hospital admissions due to asthma in the past 12 months
- if the diagnosis of asthma is not certain
- if your child is aged 3 or younger
You will be refunded in full if the action plan cannot be completed for any of these reasons.
Treatment and advice is issued subject to the consultation and doctor’s assessment.
The purpose of the video consultation is to prepare an asthma action plan. Qoctor generally advises that prescriptions for ongoing asthma preventer inhalers in children should be organised by their regular doctor, because a physical check up may be required for your child.. If your child is running short in their preventer inhaler, you may be able to get a “bridging prescription” from your pharmacist in the meantime. Reliever inhalers (most commonly the blue “Ventolin” inhaler”) are available over the counter from pharmacies, without prescription. Always make sure you use a spacer with your inhalers, where possible, as this provides the best delivery of the medication into the lungs. Your pharmacist can advise you on spacer devices. As always, if your child is unwell or has a lot of asthma symptoms, such as wheeze, cough or chest tightness, you should seek medical attention.
No, unfortunately Qoctor cannot offer a Medicare rebate for telehealth. This is due to Medicare regulations in place since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, which state that a patient must have seen a doctor in person within the past 12 months for a Medicare rebate to be applied. Therefore, as a fully online telehealth service, Qoctor can not offer Medicare rebates. However, Qoctor aims to keep our services as affordable and accessible as possible, and we continue to provide same day appointments in most cases.
The cost of an appointment to request/discuss an asthma action plan with Qoctor is $31.99. If approved by the doctor, the action plan can be downloaded immediately after the video consultation. In most cases it is possible to get a same day appointment- so you can avoid long waiting times for local clinics, and get what you need today.
All treatment and advice is issued subject to your consultation and doctor’s assessment.
There are many excellent asthma action plan templates available in Australia, created and recommended by doctors, expert bodies and patient groups.
If issuing an action plan, Qoctor doctors currently use a template designed by Asthma Australia, which is designed for use in schools or childcare settings. It includes a clear set of guidelines for dealing with severe asthma.
Further information about asthma, and support for patients and carers is available at:
An asthma action plan is a written plan that you create with a doctor to help manage your child’s asthma.
The goal of an asthma action plan is to reduce or prevent asthma flare ups, and to avoid the need for hospital attendances. Following a written asthma action plan can help a child to experience fewer asthma symptoms, and to fully enjoy their normal everyday activities. An action plan also allows adults who provide education or care to children to take the correct steps when asthma symptoms occur.
Medically reviewed by Dr Aifric Boylan
Co-founder, CEO & Medical Director of Qoctor — doctor-owned telehealth since 2016. Written by Dr Ali Zavery — Co-founder & General Practitioner · BSc (Hons) MBBS DCH · AHPRA Reg. MED0001847693.
Every Qoctor action plan consultation is conducted by video with an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor. The doctor assesses each patient independently and only approves an action plan when it is clinically appropriate.
Telehealth is not suitable in all medical situations — patients will be advised if an in-person assessment is needed. In an emergency, call 000.