Online Specialist Referrals in Australia
You’ll usually need a GP referral before a specialist will see you. With Medics Online, you can get a specialist referral online through a phone consultation with an Australian GP. Talk through your concern with the doctor, and if a referral is clinically appropriate, they’ll email your letter to you or send it directly to your chosen specialist.
A valid referral is also what Medicare requires before you can claim a rebate on specialist consultation fees. Our clinical team includes Ahpra-registered Australian medical practitioners and doctors who hold Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
How To Get a Specialist Referral Online
Getting a specialist referral online is fast and convenient.
1. Book online
2. Receive Confirmation
3. Consultation & Payment
4. Receive Your Documents (if clinically appropriate)
Types of Specialist Referrals Available Online
The doctor can refer skin concerns that need a specialist's eye, including lesions that warrant expert assessment.
A psychiatrist referral suits mental health concerns where specialist care is the next step. We don't prescribe controlled medicines, drugs of dependence, ADHD medicines, sleeping medicines or weight-management medicines, so where medication needs specialist oversight, a referral is often the pathway.
Heart health concerns such as palpitations or blood pressure that need a review can be referred to a cardiologist.
Children whose health or development needs attention can see a paediatrician with a referral from our doctors.
Women's health concerns that call for specialist care can be referred to a gynaecologist.
Digestive complaints go to a gastroenterologist, and hormone-related conditions such as thyroid disorders and diabetes go to an endocrinologist.
Joint and muscle problems can be referred to an orthopaedic specialist, and recurring ear, nose and throat conditions to an ENT specialist.
The doctor can write private referral letters for services such as psychology and physiotherapy.
Don't See Your Specialist Listed? We May Still be Able to Help
Our doctors can write referrals for most specialist fields, and they’ll tell you straight away if your situation needs a different pathway.
For allied health services like psychology and physiotherapy, our doctors write private referral letters. These get you an appointment, though Medicare rebates won’t apply, because Medicare only subsidises allied health sessions linked to a care plan, and care plans need to be set up face to face with your regular GP.
When Does a Telehealth Referral Make Sense?
Fees and Consultation Hours
Same-day appointments are often available, subject to doctor availability and clinical suitability, and you may cancel or reschedule through the booking platform where that option is available.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
|
Referral consultation (8 am to 6 pm AEST) |
$60 |
|
After-hours referral consultation (including weekends and QLD public holidays) |
$80 |
| Day | Consultation hours |
|---|---|
|
Monday to Friday |
6 am to 11 pm AEST |
|
Saturday and Sunday |
8 am to 11 pm AEST |
FAQs
Yes, you can get a specialist referral online in Australia. An Australian registered GP assesses you by phone and, where clinically appropriate.
However, please note that acceptance, appointment availability, triage, catchment requirements and fees are determined by the receiving specialist or health service. Some specialists and public hospitals may require their own forms or referral pathways.
Most non-emergency conditions can be assessed for referral over the phone. Some concerns need a physical examination before a referral makes clinical sense, and the doctor will let you know if yours is one of them.
An online doctor may be able to issue a referral letter to your preferred specialist, if clinically appropriate. Acceptance, appointment availability, triage, catchment requirements and fees are determined by the receiving specialist or health service.
Our doctors may provide a private clinical referral letter to an allied health practitioner where appropriate. A private referral does not by itself provide access to Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions. Medicare eligibility depends on the applicable program, plan, allied health practitioner and other applicable referral requirements.
Acceptance of online medical referrals depends on the requirements of the receiving health service or specialist. Some public hospitals, private hospitals or specialists may require referrals to be submitted using their own forms or through specific referral pathways.
We recommend checking the referral requirements of your preferred hospital or specialist before booking your online consultation.
Book your online specialist referral today
