Online Specialist Referrals Australia
1GP provides online specialist referrals through a phone or video consultation with an Ahpra-registered doctor, from anywhere in Australia. If your health concern needs a specialist’s assessment or treatment, your doctor can prepare a referral letter with the relevant clinical information and send it to your phone or email after your consultation.
A referral starts with a consultation
Specialist referrals at 1GP are provided after a real-time consultation with a doctor, by phone or video. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, your medical history and any treatment you have already tried, and decide whether seeing a specialist is the right next step for you.
A referral cannot be guaranteed before your consultation. If your doctor thinks your concern can be managed without a specialist, or needs tests first, they will explain why and talk you through your options.
Why you need a referral to see a specialist
A specialist referral is a letter from your doctor to a specialist, explaining your health concern and why you need specialist care. In Australia, you generally need a referral to claim a Medicare rebate for a specialist consultation, and many specialists will only see patients who have one.
A telehealth specialist referral is a standard referral letter, just like one written at a clinic. You do not need to visit a clinic to collect it.
What a GP specialist referral includes
Your referral letter will include the relevant clinical information about your health concern, such as your symptoms, medical history, current medicines and any relevant test results. This gives your specialist the background they need before your first appointment.
If you already have a particular specialist in mind, let your doctor know during your consultation.
How long a referral lasts
Referrals from a doctor to a specialist are usually valid for 12 months from your first specialist appointment, unless your doctor specifies a different period. If you have an ongoing condition, your doctor will consider how long your referral should be valid for.
Making your specialist appointment
Once you have your referral, contact the specialist’s rooms to book an appointment. Specialists set their own fees and wait times, so ask about costs when you book, including any out-of-pocket gap after the Medicare rebate.
How it works
- Book your appointment. Choose a time that suits you and select a phone or video consultation.
- Share a few details. Complete a short health intake about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
- Speak with your doctor. Your doctor will assess your health, confirm your identity and discuss whether a specialist referral is appropriate, and which type of specialist may be right for you.
- Receive your referral. If a referral is clinically appropriate, your referral letter is sent to your phone or email after your consultation.
Keeping your care connected
With your consent, your 1GP doctor can share relevant information from your consultation with your regular GP or other health professionals involved in your care, so everyone looking after you is up to date. If you are living with a long-term condition, regular review between specialist appointments can help keep your care on track. Find out more about chronic disease management.
When you need care sooner
A specialist referral is not the right path for urgent problems. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly, your doctor may recommend urgent in-person care or a hospital instead.
1GP is not an emergency service. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke or any other life-threatening symptoms, call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. If you are in crisis and need to talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Book a consultation about a specialist referral
Book a phone or video consultation online and your doctor will assess whether a specialist referral is right for you. For general enquiries, email support@1gp.au.
Telehealth is not suitable for emergencies. In an emergency, call 000.