Online Specialist Referrals: Get the Specialist Care You Need, Faster
1GP provides online specialist referrals issued by AHPRA-registered GPs via phone and video telehealth consultations, available to patients across Australia. If you have a health concern that requires specialist input, our registered GPs can assess your situation and issue a referral letter to the appropriate specialist, sent to you digitally without you needing to visit a clinic.
All referrals issued through 1GP are prepared following a genuine clinical assessment by a fully registered Australian GP, in accordance with Australian clinical guidelines and the standards of the Medical Board of Australia. Referrals are only issued where clinically appropriate and where specialist input is genuinely indicated based on your GP’s assessment.
What Types of Specialist Referrals Can I Get from an Online GP?
A telehealth consultation with 1GP can result in a referral to a wide range of medical specialists where a clinical assessment supports it. Your GP will review your symptoms, medical history, and current health concerns before determining the most appropriate referral pathway.
Common specialist referrals requested through 1GP include:
- Cardiology If you are experiencing symptoms that may relate to your heart or cardiovascular health, such as chest discomfort, palpitations, breathlessness, or elevated blood pressure that requires specialist management, your GP can refer you to a cardiologist for further assessment.
- Dermatology For skin conditions that have not responded to GP-level treatment, unusual lesions or moles requiring specialist review, or chronic skin conditions requiring dermatologist input, your GP can issue a referral to a dermatologist.
- Endocrinology If you have a hormonal or metabolic condition such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or adrenal disorders that require specialist management beyond what can be provided at GP level, a referral to an endocrinologist can be arranged.
- H3: Gastroenterology For persistent digestive symptoms, bowel concerns, or conditions such as reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, or abnormal liver results that require further specialist investigation, your GP can refer you to a gastroenterologist.
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics For reproductive and gynaecological health concerns including menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain, fertility concerns, or pregnancy-related care requiring specialist review, your GP can provide a referral to a gynaecologist or obstetrician.
- Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal If you have a joint, bone, or musculoskeletal concern that requires specialist surgical or procedural assessment, your GP can issue a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist as appropriate.
- Psychiatry and Mental Health For mental health conditions requiring specialist psychiatric assessment or management beyond what can be provided at GP level, your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist or other specialist mental health service.
- Other Specialties Referrals can also be issued to a wide range of other specialists including ophthalmology, urology, neurology, respiratory medicine, oncology, and more, based on your clinical need as assessed by your GP.
How to Get Your Specialist Referral Online
Book Online
Select a convenient appointment time through our online booking system. Appointments are available across a range of time slots to suit your schedule.
Complete a Brief Health Intake
Before your consultation, you will be asked to provide brief details about your health concern and the reason you are seeking a specialist referral. This helps your GP prepare and makes the most of your appointment time.
Speak with Your GP
At your scheduled time, your AHPRA-registered GP will connect with you by phone or video. They will take a thorough clinical history, review your symptoms and medical background, and assess whether a specialist referral is clinically appropriate and, if so, to which specialty.
Receive Your Referral Letter Digitally
If your GP determines a specialist referral is appropriate, your referral letter will be prepared with the relevant clinical information and sent directly to your phone or email. You can then use it to book an appointment with your preferred specialist.
No waiting room, no travel, no unnecessary delay.
That’s it. Most consultations are completed in 10–15 minutes from the comfort of your home.
What Happens During Your Specialist Referral Consultation?
When you join your 1GP telehealth appointment to request a specialist referral, your AHPRA-registered GP will:
- Ask about your current symptoms, how long you have had them, and how they are affecting your daily life.
- Review your relevant medical history, existing conditions, current medications, and any previous specialist care.
- Assess whether specialist input is clinically indicated based on your presentation.
- Determine the most appropriate specialty to refer you to based on your symptoms and history.
- Prepare a referral letter containing the relevant clinical information your specialist will need.
- Send your referral letter to you digitally so you can act on it straight away.
Why does the referral letter matter? A well-prepared referral letter gives your specialist important clinical context before your appointment. This means your specialist can review your history in advance, prepare appropriately, and use your appointment time more effectively. Your 1GP GP will include all clinically relevant information to support the best possible specialist consultation.
Can I request a specific specialist? You are welcome to discuss your preferred specialist with your GP during your consultation. Your GP will take your preference into account and direct the referral accordingly, provided the referral is clinically appropriate for that specialty.
All consultations are conducted confidentially. Your personal and health information is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988.
Why Do I Need a GP Referral to See a Specialist?
In Australia, most specialist consultations require a referral from a GP. There are two main reasons for this:
Medicare Rebates Without a valid GP referral, you will generally not be eligible for a Medicare rebate on your specialist consultation. A standard GP referral is valid for 12 months. An indefinite referral may be issued for ongoing specialist care of a chronic condition. Having a current referral ensures you access the Medicare benefits you are entitled to.
Clinical Appropriateness The referral process exists to ensure patients are directed to the right specialist for their condition. Your GP plays an important role in assessing your symptoms, ruling out conditions that can be managed at GP level, and ensuring that specialist resources are used where they are genuinely needed. This benefits both patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
Why Choose 1GP for Specialist Referrals?
AHPRA-Registered GPs
Every 1GP doctor is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and practises in line with the Medical Board of Australia's standards for telehealth. You can verify any doctor's registration at the AHPRA website.
Serving All of Australia
Based in South East Queensland, our AHPRA-registered telehealth GP service is available to patients across all Australian states and territories
Secure and Confidential
All consultations are conducted on a secure platform. Your health information is private and treated with the same confidentiality as an in-clinic GP visit.
Multilingual GP Team
Our doctors consult in English, Tamil, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, making quality healthcare more accessible to patients from diverse backgrounds across South East Queensland and beyond.
Detailed, Clinically Useful Referral Letters
Your 1GP GP will prepare a referral letter that includes all relevant clinical information, giving your specialist the context they need to provide you with the best possible care.
Fast Digital Delivery
Receive your referral letter directly to your phone or email after your consultation. No printing, no posting, no unnecessary waiting.
Is an Online Specialist Referral Right for You?
An online specialist referral consultation with 1GP works well for:
- Patients who have a health concern that has not resolved at GP level and requires specialist assessment
- People who need a referral to access Medicare rebates for a specialist consultation
- Patients whose current referral has expired and need a renewal
- Anyone who has recently moved or changed GPs and needs a new referral for ongoing specialist care
- Patients in Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, or the Scenic Rim with limited local GP availability
- Busy workers, parents, and carers who need a fast and convenient appointment option
This service is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department immediately.
Get Your Specialist Referral Online Today
Need a referral to see a specialist? 1GP’s AHPRA-registered GPs are ready to assess your situation via phone or video telehealth. No waiting rooms, no travel, just straightforward care when you need it.
Serving patients across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, and all of Australia.
Questions? Contact us at support@1gp.au or call 07 3334 3718.
Medical certificates are issued at the clinical discretion of your treating GP following individual assessment. A certificate is not guaranteed prior to consultation. 1GP does not issue Certificates of Capacity for workers’ compensation claims.