Opt in Web Notifications to stay up-to-date.
Specialist Referrals Online — Fast, Legitimate & Australian
Issued by AHPRA-registered GPs
Access to a specialist starts with a GP referral — and now you don't need to wait days for a clinic appointment to get one.
At Clinic Online, our AHPRA-registered Australian GPs can assess your needs and issue specialist referrals via telehealth — electronically, during the same consultation.
Consult a GP Now — Get Your Referral Today
An online specialist referral from Clinic Online is a GP-issued electronic referral to any Medicare-recognised medical specialist — cardiologist, dermatologist, gynaecologist, psychiatrist, paediatrician and more — written after a real telehealth consultation and accepted by specialists and Medicare nationwide.
Access to specialist care in Australia starts with a GP referral. Without one, you lose the Medicare rebate for the specialist visit (often several hundred dollars per appointment) and many specialists will not accept you as a patient at all.
Clinic Online removes the 1–14 day wait many Australians face just to get into a GP slot for a referral. Your AHPRA-registered GP reviews your history, discusses your symptoms, and issues a properly addressed e-referral the same day — either to a specialist you name, or an open referral that lets you book with any appropriate specialist of your choice.
Specialist Referrals We Can Issue
Paediatrics
Psychiatry and psychology
Fertility specialists
Plastic surgeons and other surgeons
Endocrinology (Hormones, thyroid, diabetes)
Dermatology (skin conditions)
Cardiology (heart health)
Orthopaedics (bones, joints, muscles)
Gastroenterology (digestive health)
Gynaecology and women's health
And many more — based on clinical need
Also Available in the Same Consultation
Why Choose Clinic Online for Referrals?
🇦🇺
AHPRA-registered Australian GPs
⏱️
On-demand — often within 5 minutes
📄
Referrals sent electronically and accepted nationwide
🔒
Secure, confidential consultations
✅
Referrals issued only after proper clinical assessment
How It Works
1
Click 'Request a Consult'
2
Speak to an Australian GP via video or phone
3
Discuss your symptoms and referral needs
4
Referral issued electronically if clinically appropriate
Online Specialist Referral Pricing
One flat consultation price. The e-referral letter is included at no extra charge — no subscriptions, no hidden fees.
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 Specialist Referral Is — and Isn't — the Right Path
Telehealth referrals work beautifully in most routine situations. Here's when you'll get faster, safer care through another route.
An online specialist referral is a good fit if…
- You have symptoms or a condition that clearly warrants specialist input (for example but not limited to — a persistent skin condition, a gynaecological issue, a psychiatric concern, or a surgical referral) and you want to start the process today
- You have already been seen for this condition and need a fresh referral because your previous one has expired or was for a different specialist
- You know the specialist you want to see and simply need a GP referral letter to access Medicare rebates
- You need a paediatric referral for your child
- You want a straightforward, early-in-the-pathway specialist opinion without waiting weeks for an in-person GP slot
Please choose a different route if…
- You are experiencing a medical emergency — call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department instead of waiting for a referral
- Your presentation requires a detailed in-person examination before the GP can confidently recommend the right specialist.
- You want an urgent specialist appointment within 24–48 hours — your local ED or an urgent-care clinic is a faster route in that situation
- You need a workers-compensation, insurance or medico-legal specialist review — these usually require a tailored in-person assessment process
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 Specialist Referral vs In-Person GP
A side-by-side comparison of the main ways Australians obtain a specialist referral.
| What matters | Clinic Online | In-person GP | Form-based telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to receive your specialist referral | Instantly, during the consult — referral sent directly to your Clinic Online inbox | 1 to 14 days for a routine GP appointment, then printed at the clinic | 1 - 12 hours. Most form-based services do not issue specialist referrals on the spot. A clinician will have to call you at an additional charge |
| Real conversation with an AHPRA-registered GP | Yes — live video or phone consultation | Yes | Not necessarily |
| Range of specialties you can be referred to | Full range - Any Medicare-recognised specialist | Full range | Some Medicare recognised specialists |
| Medicare rebate on the specialist consultation | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| e-Referral (sent electronically, tracked and dated) | Yes — sent to your Clinic Online inbox | Usually — paper still common | Yes |
| Public hospital outpatient referrals | Yes — sent to your Clinic Online inbox | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of specialist | Yes — you can name your preferred specialist — the GP addresses the referral to them | 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.
Specialist Referrals — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions patients ask most before booking a referral consult.
Can a GP issue a specialist referral after a telehealth consultation?
Yes. AHPRA-registered Australian GPs are permitted to issue specialist referrals after a telehealth consultation, provided the GP has performed an appropriate assessment and documented the clinical reasoning. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) recognises a telehealth-issued referral the same way it recognises an in-person one, meaning you can still claim the normal specialist rebate when you see the specialist.
Which specialists can Clinic Online refer me to?
Any Medicare-recognised medical specialist — including cardiologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, gynaecologists, obstetricians, gastroenterologists, orthopaedic surgeons, urologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, ENT surgeons, respiratory physicians, rheumatologists, nephrologists, plastic surgeons and more. Your Clinic Online GP will discuss with you which specialty is clinically appropriate for your presentation and can address the referral to a specific specialist if you already have one in mind.
How long does a specialist referral last?
A GP referral to a specialist in Australia is generally valid for 12 months from the date of your first specialist appointment, unless the GP has specified otherwise on the referral. Your specialist can extend the referral indefinitely for ongoing care of the same condition. A referral to a consultant physician (internal medicine specialist) is valid for 3 months from the first visit.
Will Medicare rebate the specialist visit if my GP referral came from a telehealth consult?
Yes — provided the GP referral is in writing, dated, addressed to a specialist (or "Dear Specialist" or to a named specialist), and the GP has completed an appropriate consultation. All Clinic Online e-referrals meet these standards. You will still receive the usual Medicare rebate when you attend the specialist appointment.
Can I choose which specialist I see, or do I have to use the GP's suggested one?
You always have the right to choose your own specialist in Australia. When you join the consult, simply tell your Clinic Online GP the specialist's name (or clinic) and the GP will address the referral directly to them. If you do not have a specific specialist in mind, your GP can issue an "open" referral addressed to "Dear Specialist," which lets you book with any appropriate specialist.
Can Clinic Online refer to public hospital outpatient clinics?
Yes, to most state-based public outpatient clinics — including cardiology, dermatology, orthopaedics, endocrinology, gynaecology, paediatric and mental-health outpatient services. Wait times for public outpatient clinics vary significantly by state, hospital and specialty; your GP can advise you on whether a public or private pathway is likely to be faster for your particular situation.
How is the e-referral delivered?
Immediately after the consultation, your GP issues an electronic referral letter that is sent to your portal inbox. You can forward the PDF to any specialist of your choice — the referral is addressed and signed exactly the same way a printed clinic referral would be.
Do you do referrals for plastic surgeons / cosmetic surgeons?
Yes — our GPs can issue referrals for plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons as long as it is clinically appropriate for your presentation. The referral can be addressed to a specific specialist if you already have one in mind.
What if my GP decides a specialist referral is not the right next step?
Specialist referrals are issued only where the GP believes they are clinically appropriate, which protects you from unnecessary wait times, gap fees and investigations. If your GP recommends a different next step — such as a pathology or radiology request, a trial of medication, or simply watchful waiting — they will explain why clearly. You can always request an in-person second opinion if you disagree.
Related Telehealth Services
Specialist referrals are often issued alongside pathology or radiology requests in the same 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.