How to get a referral
To get a referral you’ll need to speak to your GP about your health concerns. Your GP will determine if you need specialist treatment and arrange any medicines or tests that you need.
Your GP will then send a written referral letter to a specialist doctor at one of our hospitals.
Depending on the urgency of your condition, you may be put on a waiting list for your first outpatient appointment with a specialist.
After your appointment you may also be placed on an elective surgery waiting list.
Most referrals from doctors to specialists are valid for 12 months. Referrals from specialists and consultant physicians to other specialists are valid for 3 months unless you’re admitted to hospital.
The referral process checks that the proposed consultation or test is clinically important. This allows Medicare to cover at least part of the cost.
Services that don’t need a referral
You don’t need a GP referral to access:
- any emergency treatment
- urgent mental health care
- sexual health clinics
- oral health care provided you meet eligibility criteria.
Read more about outpatient appointments.