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Pathology Referrals Online — Blood Tests & Lab Work Made Simple
Need a blood test or diagnostic investigation? Our GP’s can request pathology test (where appropriate) as well as give the results when they return without you needing to have to wait.
At Clinic Online, our AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can assess your needs and issue pathology referrals electronically via telehealth — accepted at all major pathology providers across Australia.
Get a Pathology Referral
An online pathology referral from Clinic Online is a GP-issued electronic request form for blood tests, urine tests, swabs, STI screens and other laboratory investigations — written after a real telehealth consultation and accepted at every major Australian pathology provider including Sonic, Douglass Hanly Moir, Laverty, 4Cyte, QML and Clinpath.
You speak with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP by video or phone, describe why you want testing, and within minutes a properly formatted e-referral lands in your inbox. You walk into any pathology collection centre with the PDF on your phone and have blood drawn — most routine tests are bulk-billed by Medicare so you pay nothing at the centre.
Your results are sent back to your Clinic Online GP, who reviews each one and contacts you directly if anything needs attention. You can book a short follow-up telehealth consultation to have your GP walk you through the results and plan next steps.
Common Tests We Refer For
Routine health checks and general blood panels
Cholesterol and cardiovascular screening
Diabetes monitoring (HbA1c, glucose)
Hormone and endocrine testing (thyroid, testosterone, oestrogen)
Iron levels and nutritional deficiencies (B12, Vitamin D)
Medication monitoring (liver function, kidney function)
STI and sexual health screening
Inflammation markers (CRP, ESR)
What Happens After Your Blood Test?
Results are sent to your referring Clinic Online GP
You’ll receive an SMS notification when results are ready
Book a follow-up telehealth appointment at your convenience
Your GP will explain results clearly and recommend next steps
If further care is needed: specialist referrals, medication changes or management plans can be arranged
Why Choose Clinic Online?
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AHPRA-registered Australian GPs
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On-demand — often within 5 minutes
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Referrals accepted at all major pathology providers
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Pathology requests sent electronically
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Private, secure and confidential
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SMS notification when results are ready
How It Works
1
Click 'Request a Consult'
2
Speak to an Australian GP via video or phone
3
Discuss your symptoms or testing needs
4
Pathology referral sent electronically
5
Step 5: Attend a pathology collection centre at your convenience
6
Step 6: Receive SMS when results are ready — book follow-up if needed
Online Pathology Referral Pricing
One flat consultation price. The e-referral is included. Most pathology tests themselves are bulk-billed by Medicare at the collection centre.
Up to 10 minutes
AUD$45
Most straightforward GP consultations — prescriptions, medical certificates, single-issue advice and referrals.
- Live video or phone consultation with an Australian GP
- Prescriptions, certificates and referrals at the consulting GP's discretion
- Secure, private and confidential
Beyond 10 minutes
AUD$59
Longer, more complex consultations — mental health reviews, multiple issues, chronic condition management or in-depth investigations.
- Everything in the shorter consult, plus more consulting time
- Time for multi-issue or complex clinical discussion
- Ongoing follow-up arranged where clinically appropriate
Medicare: Medicare rebates may apply for eligible consultations — availability depends on your individual circumstances and current Commonwealth telehealth rules. Your GP will let you know during the consultation whether your consult is rebate-eligible.
No subscriptions. No form-based medicine. You only ever pay for the consultation you have — there's nothing to cancel and nothing recurring.
When an Online Pathology Referral Is — and Isn't — Appropriate
A telehealth referral is perfect for routine testing and most screening. Some clinical situations need hands-on assessment first.
An online pathology referral suits you if…
- You need a routine or screening blood test (full blood count, iron studies, cholesterol, glucose, thyroid, vitamin D, B12, liver and kidney function)
- You want an STI screen (including HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis and herpes where indicated)
- You are monitoring an existing condition such as diabetes (HbA1c), thyroid disease, iron deficiency or a medication that requires regular bloods
- You need a pregnancy test, fertility workup, or hormone panel
- Your symptoms point to something a blood or urine test will help diagnose (for example fatigue, unexplained weight changes, period irregularity, recurrent infection)
Please see someone in person if…
- You are experiencing a medical emergency — call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
- You have severe or worsening symptoms that suggest acute pathology (severe chest pain, severe abdominal pain, signs of sepsis, heavy bleeding) — these need immediate in-person assessment, not a pathology form
- You need a test that requires in-person sample collection by the doctor (for example a pap smear)
- You need an urgent, same-day result and cannot attend a pathology centre quickly
If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency — severe chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke-like symptoms, serious bleeding, or any other life-threatening concern — call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
Online Pathology Referral vs In-Person GP
A clear comparison of how Australians obtain blood test and pathology referrals today.
| What matters | Clinic Online | In-person GP | Form-based telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to receive your pathology referral | Instantly during the consult — sent directly to your Clinic Online inbox | 1 to 10 days for an appointment, then printed request | 1 - 12 hours. |
| Real conversation with an AHPRA-registered GP | Yes — live video or phone consultation | Yes | Generally No |
| Range of tests that can be requested | Full Medicare Benefits Schedule pathology panel, where clinically appropriate | Full panel | Full panel |
| Accepted at Australian pathology providers | Yes — Sonic, Douglass Hanly Moir, Laverty, 4Cyte, QML, Clinpath, Histopath and all major centres | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare bulk-billing at the collection centre | Most routine bloods are bulk-billed by the pathology provider | Most routine bloods are bulk-billed | Varies |
| Results review and explanation by a GP | Yes — book a follow-up telehealth consult to review your results | Yes — at a follow-up visit | Yes - Follow up required |
| STI testing with full confidentiality | Yes — completely discreet consultation and referral | Yes | Varies |
| Price (per consultation) | $45 up to 10 minutes (95% of consults); $59 beyond 10 minutes | Varies — average medicare gap fee $55 | From ~$35 to $90, but limited care and no on-demand real consult |
Comparison reflects typical patient experience — actual times, fees and availability vary by clinic, location and clinical circumstances.
Pathology Referrals — Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about blood tests, STI screens, Medicare and results.
Can I get a pathology referral online?
Yes. AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can issue pathology (blood, urine, swab, STI) referrals after a telehealth consultation, provided the tests requested are clinically appropriate. Your Clinic Online GP will ask about your symptoms and history, discuss what tests are sensible, and generate an e-referral addressed to any pathology provider of your choice.
Where can I get the actual blood test done after I receive my e-referral?
At any Australian pathology collection centre. Our e-referrals are accepted by Sonic Healthcare, Douglass Hanly Moir, Laverty Pathology, 4Cyte Pathology, QML Pathology, Clinpath, Histopath and every other major provider. You can simply walk into a centre with your e-referral on your phone, hand it over, and have blood drawn — no appointment usually needed for routine tests.
Will my blood test be bulk-billed by Medicare?
Most standard pathology tests listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule are bulk-billed by the pathology provider, meaning you pay nothing at the collection centre. Some specialised tests — for example certain vitamin panels, food-sensitivity tests, or non-Medicare-subsidised genetic tests — may not be bulk billed and will carry a fee. If this is the case the doctor will advise you about it during the call.
How will I get my pathology results?
Your results are sent directly to your referring Clinic Online GP, usually within 1 to 3 business days for routine blood tests. You receive an SMS once the results are back. You can then book a short telehealth follow-up consultation to have your GP explain the results, answer your questions, and discuss next steps if anything needs attention.
Can I get an STI test referral discreetly online?
Yes, and this is one of the more popular reasons people use Clinic Online. The telehealth consultation removes the embarrassment some patients feel asking in person. Your GP will discuss which tests are appropriate (for example HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B and C, and herpes where indicated), issue the e-referral, and when results return your GP will call you to explain them and arrange any treatment needed.
Can Clinic Online issue pathology referrals for fertility and hormone testing?
Yes. Common tests include anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone and semen analysis. Your Clinic Online GP will discuss which tests suit your situation, when in your cycle to take them, and how they fit into a broader fertility or hormone workup.
What if my pathology results are abnormal?
Your Clinic Online GP reviews every result. If anything is clinically significant, the GP contacts you directly rather than waiting for you to book — by phone or a priority SMS asking you to schedule a short consult. Safety-critical findings (for example very low haemoglobin, very abnormal electrolytes) trigger immediate outreach. Minor deviations that only need a lifestyle adjustment or a repeat test in 3 months can be explained at your convenience.
Do I need to fast before my blood test?
It depends on the tests requested. Cholesterol (full lipid panel) and fasting glucose tests typically require 8–12 hours of fasting (water is fine). Most other routine tests — full blood count, iron studies, thyroid, liver function, HbA1c — do not require fasting. Your Clinic Online GP will tell you clearly during the consultation whether fasting is required before you attend the collection centre.
Related Telehealth Services
Pathology is often requested alongside other referrals or treatment — explore the related telehealth services below.
Last clinically reviewed: by Dr Bani Kaur, MBBS, DCH, FRACGP (AHPRA MED0001787297).
The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Whether a prescription, medical certificate, referral or test is clinically appropriate for you is a decision your consulting GP will make during your telehealth appointment. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.