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Radiology Referrals Online — Get Your Imaging Referral Fast
X-rays, MRI, CT, ultrasound — Australia-wide
Need an MRI, CT scan, X-ray or ultrasound? Our GPs can request radiology tests (where appropriate) as well as give the results when they return without you needing to wait.
At Clinic Online, our AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can assess your symptoms and issue radiology referrals electronically via telehealth — accepted at imaging centres across Australia.
Request a Radiology Referral
An online radiology referral from Clinic Online is a GP-issued electronic request for imaging — X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI — written after a real telehealth consultation and accepted at every major Australian imaging centre including I-MED, Lumus, Sonic Imaging, Qscan and PRP.
You speak with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP, describe the injury or symptom you want investigated, and the GP decides which imaging modality is clinically appropriate. Within minutes a properly formatted e-referral is emailed to you — you can take the PDF to any imaging centre of your choice.
Your radiology report is sent directly back to your Clinic Online GP, who will contact you if anything needs action and can walk you through the findings in a short follow-up telehealth consult. No more 10-day waits for a GP slot just to get a request form for the X-ray you already know you need.
Imaging Referrals We Provide
X-ray referrals online
Ultrasound referrals online
CT scan referrals
MRI referrals online
Musculoskeletal reviews via telehealth
Musculoskeletal injuries (back, knee, shoulder, hip)
Chronic pain investigations
Neurological symptoms (headaches, numbness, dizziness)
Ongoing condition monitoring
Post-injury assessment
What Happens After Your Scan?
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 and recommend next steps
Specialist referrals or further treatment arranged if needed
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 imaging centres nationwide
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Radiology requests sent electronically
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Secure, confidential consultations
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Imaging ordered only when clinically justified — no unnecessary scans
How It Works
1
Click 'Request a Consult'
2
Speak to an Australian GP via video or phone
3
Discuss your symptoms or imaging needs
4
Radiology referral sent electronically
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Step 5: Attend an imaging centre at your convenience
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Step 6: Receive SMS when results are ready — book follow-up if needed
Online Radiology Referral Pricing
One flat consultation price. The e-referral is included. The imaging itself is paid at the imaging centre — many scans are bulk-billed by Medicare.
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 Radiology Referral Is — and Isn't — the Right Option
Telehealth imaging referrals are ideal for non-urgent, planned investigations. Time-critical situations belong in emergency care.
An online imaging referral suits you if…
- You have a musculoskeletal injury (back, knee, shoulder, ankle, hip or wrist) that your GP thinks would benefit from imaging
- You need an X-ray or ultrasound to investigate an ongoing pain, lump or swelling
- You need a pregnancy dating, morphology or viability ultrasound
- You have persistent headaches, neurological symptoms or other concerns that warrant CT or MRI imaging
- You are under active GP care for a condition that requires periodic imaging (for example follow-up of a known cyst, stone or injury)
Please access care differently if…
- You are experiencing a medical emergency — call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately; urgent imaging is best accessed through ED
- You have suspected stroke, serious chest pain, major trauma, or signs of an acute abdomen — these require urgent in-person assessment and emergency imaging, not a GP e-referral
- Your symptoms clearly require a hands-on physical examination before the GP can decide what imaging is needed
- You need interventional radiology (for example a CT angiogram) — these need specialist and radiology department coordination
If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency — severe chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke-like symptoms, serious trauma, or any other life-threatening concern — call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
Online Radiology Referral vs In-Person GP
A side-by-side comparison of how Australians obtain imaging referrals today.
| What matters | Clinic Online | In-person GP | Form-based telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to receive your imaging 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 scans that can be requested | Full range - X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI — where clinically appropriate | Full range | Full range |
| Accepted at Australian imaging centres | Yes — I-MED, Lumus, Sonic Imaging, Qscan, Perth Radiological, PRP, Capital and all major networks | Yes | Varies |
| Medicare rebate / bulk-billing availability | Many imaging items are bulk-billed (X-ray, CT scans); some carry a gap. Similar to in-person GP. | Same — depends on the imaging centre and item | Varies depending on who issued the request (Nurse or GP) |
| Results review and explanation by a GP | Yes — book a follow-up telehealth consult once results are back | Yes — at a follow-up visit | Varies depending on who issued the request (Nurse or GP) |
| Choice of imaging provider | Yes — You can take the e-referral to any provider — your GP can name one if you prefer | Yes | Yes |
| Price (per consultation) | From $45 up to 10 minutes; $59 beyond 10 minutes | Varies — average medicare gap fee $55 | From $35 to $90 on average |
Comparison reflects typical patient experience — actual times, fees and availability vary by clinic, location and clinical circumstances.
Radiology Referrals — Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans, Medicare and results.
Can a GP issue an X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI referral online?
Yes. AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can issue e-referrals for plain X-rays, ultrasounds (including musculoskeletal, abdominal, pelvic, obstetric and vascular), CT scans and MRI scans after a telehealth consultation, provided the imaging requested is clinically appropriate for your presentation. Some MRI items are Medicare-rebatable only when referred by a specialist, which your GP will discuss with you if relevant.
Which imaging centres accept Clinic Online e-referrals?
Every major Australian imaging provider — I-MED Radiology Network, Lumus Imaging, Sonic Imaging, Qscan, PRP Diagnostic Imaging, Perth Radiological, Capital Radiology, Regional Imaging and all independent community radiology practices. You can take the e-referral (as a PDF on your phone) to any centre of your choice — there is no "preferred provider" lock-in.
Will my scan be bulk-billed by Medicare?
Many routine imaging services are bulk-billed at most Australian imaging centres — including standard X-rays and CT scans. More complex scans (Ultrasound, some MRI scans, specialised ultrasounds) often carry a gap fee depending on the centre and the item. Call the imaging centre beforehand to confirm costs for your specific scan.
How will I get my imaging results?
The imaging centre sends the radiologist's report to your referring Clinic Online GP, usually within 1 to 3 business days (sooner for plain X-rays, longer for specialist MRI reporting). You receive an SMS when the results are back, and you can book a follow-up consult to have your GP explain the findings and plan next steps.
Can I get an urgent scan after a telehealth consult?
For non-emergency situations, yes — most imaging centres can accommodate a same-day or next-day appointment for X-ray and ultrasound, and within 1 to 3 days for CT and most MRI scans. If your situation is time-critical (for example a possible deep-vein thrombosis or suspected pulmonary embolism), an emergency department is the safer and faster pathway and your GP will advise you accordingly.
Are there any scans a telehealth GP cannot order?
A small number of scans are Medicare-rebatable only when referred by a specialist — for example certain MRI items, PET scans, and some nuclear-medicine studies. Your Clinic Online GP will still be able to request these privately (you would pay the full fee), or will refer you to the appropriate specialist first so you keep the Medicare rebate. Your GP will explain the trade-offs clearly.
Do I need a referral at all to have a scan in Australia?
Yes — almost all diagnostic imaging in Australia requires a written referral from a medical practitioner (usually a GP) so that Medicare will rebate the scan and the radiologist has the clinical context to interpret the images. Walk-in imaging without a referral is not available in the Medicare system, which is why a fast GP e-referral matters.
Can Clinic Online refer for pregnancy ultrasounds?
Yes — dating scans (6–9 weeks), nuchal translucency / first-trimester scans (11–13+6 weeks), morphology scans (18–20 weeks) and growth scans can all be referred after a telehealth consultation. Your GP will discuss timing, what each scan checks, and whether you need a concurrent pathology request (such as NIPT or combined first-trimester screening).
Related Telehealth Services
Imaging is often requested alongside pathology or a specialist referral in the same telehealth consultation.
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.