Change of Specialist Referral Online
Medically reviewed by Dr Aifric Boylan — FRACGP · AHPRA-registered · 7 Aug 2026
- AHPRA-registered Australian doctors
- Same-day service available — speak to a GP within minutes
- Change-of-specialist referrals from $29.99 — download immediately and take to your specialist
When would I need a change-of-specialist referral?
You might need one if you have a valid referral to a specialist but decide to see a different one, within the same specialty. This commonly happens when:
- the specialist you were referred to has a long waiting list, and you want someone with a shorter wait
- a different specialist is more convenient for you to travel to
- you’d prefer a second opinion from another specialist
- the original specialist is unavailable, has retired or moved
In Australia, Medicare card holders can claim a rebate when they see a specialist, but only with a valid referral. A change-of-specialist referral gives you a valid letter for the new specialist, so your Medicare rebate isn’t affected by the switch.
How to get a change-of-specialist referral online
- Complete a short online assessment.
- An Australian-registered doctor discusses your request by phone or video.
- If appropriate, your referral is issued and can be downloaded immediately.
A change-of-specialist referral is for switching to a different specialist within the same specialty. If you need to see a specialist in a different field, that’s a new referral, which a Qoctor doctor can assess for a range of common situations, or through a GP appointment. See all referral options.
Same-day appointments are available 7 days a week, with a priority booking option if you are in a hurry. Once approved, your referral can be downloaded straight away, ready to give to your specialist.
Yes. To request a change of specialist, you need to already hold a valid referral that’s less than 12 months old, and you take both that original letter and your new change-of-specialist letter to your appointment.
A change-of-specialist referral is a $29.99 online consultation. As Qoctor is a private telehealth service, there’s no Medicare rebate on the consultation fee itself, but a valid referral is what enables your Medicare rebate when you see the specialist. All referrals are subject to the doctor’s assessment.
A repeat specialist referral is $29.99. As Qoctor is a private telehealth service, there’s no Medicare rebate on this consultation fee, but the referral letter itself allows you to claim a Medicare rebate when you see the specialist.
A repeat specialist referral is a letter from a GP to a specialist you’ve seen before. It states the medical reason for the appointment along with relevant health information, and referral letters usually expire after 12 months. In Australia, Medicare card holders can claim a rebate when they see a specialist, provided they have a valid GP referral.
Other referral types are priced separately: a change of specialist is also $29.99, a new referral for many common conditions is $29.99, a new referral to a plastic (cosmetic) surgeon is $39.99 as that assessment takes longer, and a new referral for anything outside the common list is handled in a full GP consultation for $49.99.
For a “change of specialist” letter, you must already have in your possession a valid referral letter that is less than one year old. This is a service you may find useful if you decide to see a different specialist than the one first suggested by your GP. This situation can arise if a specialist’s waiting list turns out to be too long, and you want to try someone with a shorter wait time. You must take BOTH referral letters to your appointment- the original one and the change of specialist letter provided by Qoctor. The cost of a telehealth appointment to discuss this is $29.99. You will need to answer a few online questions relating to your health. The doctor will go through this information and will speak to you about your health- then they can complete the referral letter if appropriate (subject to assessment).
In Australia, Medicare card-holders can generally claim a Medicare rebate when they see a specialist doctor, once they have a valid specialist referral letter written by a GP. A valid specialist referral is less than 12 months old, and states the name of the specialist you wish to attend, as well as relevant health information.
The consultation fee to get a specialist referral letter online from Qoctor is $29.99. As Qoctor is a private telehealth service, there is no Medicare rebate for this online doctor fee. However, as noted above, the specialist referral letter will allow you to claim a Medicare rebate when you proceed to see the specialist.
- If the details you provide on your referral questionnaire or patient profile are incorrect and you later wish to change them, please get in touch via info@qoctor.com.au or use the live chat on our home page www.qoctor.com.au
- In some cases, the issue may be rectified without having to book another telehealth consultation.
- However, sometimes, if there is a significant difference in the information required on the letter, you may be asked to book another appointment with a Qoctor doctor.
Specialist referral information and guides
Learn more about changing specialists, referral expiry and specialist referrals in Australia.
Medically reviewed by Dr Aifric Boylan
Co-founder, CEO & Medical Director of Qoctor — doctor-owned telehealth since 2016.
Every change-of-specialist referral request is considered only after a real-time video or phone consultation with an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor — never from an automated online form. Referrals are issued only where clinically appropriate and in line with the Medical Board of Australia’s telehealth guidelines.
Telehealth is not suitable in all medical situations — patients will be advised if an in-person assessment is needed. In an emergency, call 000.