Online Specialist Referrals
- Available 7 days a week
- Accessible from anywhere in Australia
- By phone or video, no clinic visit
- Available 7 days a week
- Accessible from anywhere in Australia
- By phone or video, no clinic visit
Doctor Referrals to a Specialist, Arranged Online
Seeing a specialist usually starts with a referral from a doctor, and getting one has often meant booking a GP appointment first. EasyScripts lets you request a specialist referral online instead. You tell us which referral you need and why, and a registered Australian doctor assesses your request.
If the doctor decides a referral is clinically appropriate, they write it and email it to you. The doctor chooses the specialty, urgency and clinical notes. You then book with a specialist of your choice. EasyScripts issues the referral. The specialist decides whether to accept it and when to see you.
When a Specialist Referral Is Suitable
- You need assessment or treatment from a specialist, such as a dermatologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or psychiatrist
- You want the specialist to have the relevant clinical information about your condition
- You want to support an appropriate investigation and management pathway
How an Online Specialist Referral Works
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Referrals as early as the same day
Most requests are processed on the day. A request that needs a closer look can take longer.
Using Your Referral: What to Expect
The doctor writes the referral and the specialist decides what happens next.
Name a Specialist or Clinic
If you already have a specialist or clinic in mind, add their details when you complete the form and the referral can be addressed to them. Otherwise it is addressed to the specialist generally.
The Doctor Sets the Details
The doctor chooses the referral type, specialty, urgency and clinical notes, based on their clinical judgement.
The Specialist Decides
The specialist decides whether to accept your referral and when to see you. They may still ask for more information, repeat tests or a face-to-face review.
A GP referral to a specialist lasts 12 months from your first appointment with the specialist, unless the referral states a different period. The specialist’s own fees and any bulk billing are set by their clinic, so ask when you book. Source: Services Australia, Referrals for specialist treatment.
What an Online Specialist Referral Costs
The fee is shown before you pay, with no hidden costs. This is a private service, so Medicare does not cover it and you will not be able to claim the fee back through Medicare. The cost of the specialist appointment is separate.
Referrals are not always issued
A referral is only issued when the doctor can justify it clinically. If that is not possible, you will be contacted to arrange a telehealth consultation for further review.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Chest Pain or Difficulty Breathing
Chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath or severe dehydration need urgent assessment. Go to your nearest emergency department or call 000. This is a recognised medical emergency.
Signs of a Stroke or a Rapidly Worsening Condition
A drooping face, severe weakness, confusion or a sudden change in vision. Call 000 straight away. This is a recognised stroke emergency. Any rapidly worsening condition also needs urgent help.
Ready to Request an Online Specialist Referral? Book in a Few Steps.
- Assessed online by a registered Australian doctor
- A short phone or video consult if the doctor needs more detail
- Referral emailed to you, as early as the same day
Other ways we can help
Specialist Referral FAQs
Can I get a specialist referral online in Australia?
Do I need to see a GP in person before I request a referral?
How long does it take to get an online referral?
How long is a specialist referral valid?
Can I choose which specialist I see?
Yes. Book with the specialist or clinic that suits you. If you already have one in mind, add their details when you complete the form so the referral can be addressed to them. The specialist decides whether to accept the referral and when to see you.
Which specialists can I be referred to?
The doctor chooses the specialty based on your condition and what you tell them. Examples include a dermatologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or psychiatrist.
How much does an online specialist referral cost?
Referral appointments start from $55. The fee is shown before you pay, with no hidden costs. This is a private service, so Medicare does not cover the fee. The specialist’s own fee is separate and set by their clinic, so ask about fees and bulk billing when you book.
Why might a referral not be issued?
A doctor may decline a request if your symptoms suggest you need urgent care or an immediate in-person assessment, if your information is incomplete or unclear, if they cannot justify a specialist referral clinically from the details provided, or if your condition is better managed by a GP first. If we cannot issue a referral, you will be contacted to arrange a telehealth consultation for further review, or offered a refund if we are unable to proceed.
Will specialists accept my online referral?
Your referral is a letter from a registered Australian doctor with the clinical details a specialist needs. Specialists decide whether to accept a referral and when to see you, and some may ask for more information, repeat tests or a face-to-face review.
Is my personal and health information secure?
Yes. Your information is protected with encryption and handled in line with Australian health privacy standards. It is kept confidential and shared only with authorised clinicians.