Specialist Referral Online — from $29.99

Most referrals are a $29.99 consultation, including a repeat referral, a change of specialist, or a new referral for many common situations. A new referral to a plastic (cosmetic) surgeon is $39.99, as it involves a slightly more detailed assessment, and a new referral for something outside our common list is handled in a full GP consultation for $49.99. As Qoctor is a private telehealth service, there’s no Medicare rebate on the consultation fee itself, but a valid GP referral is what enables your Medicare rebate when you see the specialist. All referrals are subject to the doctor’s assessment.

A standard GP referral to a specialist is usually valid for 12 months from the date the specialist first sees you, unless the doctor specifies a different period. A referral from one specialist to another is generally valid for 3 months. Occasionally a doctor may issue an indefinite referral for a long-standing condition, though this is less common. If your referral has expired, you’ll usually need a new one to keep seeing your specialist and to continue receiving Medicare rebates. You can read more in our guide on how long specialist referrals last.

Yes. You don’t need to see your own GP first. An AHPRA-registered Qoctor doctor can assess your request by phone or video and, if appropriate, issue the referral, whether it’s a repeat, a change of specialist, or a new referral for a common situation. For anything complex, or a condition better managed by a doctor who holds your full history, the doctor will tell you if you’d be better seen by your regular GP.