Do I need an appointment for a referral?
Yes, you need an appointment for your referral. In order for your referral to be appropriate, your doctor must ensure that the medical information about you presented to the referred practitioner is current. It is also possible that your doctor will need to order tests before your specialist appointment to ensure that safe and effective treatment will be provided.
You can book either a face-to-face or TeleHealth consultation.
Can the doctor change the name on my referral?
If you need to change anything on your referral (particularly to who a referral is addressed due to the unavailability of the referral that was previously addressed), please send a request for a Referral Amendment to [email protected]. If you’re changing specialists, please include their details in the request.
This is free of charge.
However, if a 2nd opinion is requested you need an appointment to discuss this with your doctor
Can the doctor backdate my referral so I get a Medicare rebate?
No. It is illegal for a doctor or GP to backdate a referral. Before making an appointment with a specialist, please make sure that you have a valid referral.
How long does my referral last?
A referral lasts for 12 months starting from the date of your first consultation with your specialist.
How do I arrange a referral to a psychologist?
You will need to book an appointment with your GP to assess your mental health and another appointment to create a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, if appropriate.
My allied health provider (eg. physiotherapist, podiatrist, chiropractor) has asked me to get a care plan and EPC referral for their services. How do I do this?
Please check in with your doctor about GP Management Plan options. Not every person is eligible for Medicare standards that we comply with.
Can I order repeat referrals copies of lost referrals?
Repeat specialist referrals and copies of lost referrals are available if you lost your referral within the last two weeks and need a new copy.
Your doctor will review and process your request within three business days. For urgent requests, please book a telehealth appointment or an in-person consultation with your doctor.
How it works
- After you submit your request, your GP will review your medical history and check if you are eligible for a repeat referral.
- Once your request is confirmed, you can choose how you would like to receive your referral:
- Via email;
- Via fax (sent to your specialist); or
- Direct pick-up from the practice.
- To finalize your request, you need to provide your credit card details. Your credit card will only be charged if your request is approved.
- You will receive a secure SMS update regarding the status of your request, within 3 business days. If your request is denied, you will be asked to make an appointment.