No, you do not need a GP referral to see a specialist in Australia however, having a GP referral allows you to receive the Medicare rebate (ie: recoup some of your consultation fee), and allows your GP to send a referral letter with your full medical history detailed, which is essential for your doctor to review. We strongly recommend speaking to your GP prior to seeing us, simply to ensure that your issue cannot be managed by your primary care provider.
GP referrals are valid for 12-months and referrals from other Specialist are valid for 3-months. The referral starts from the date the specialist first meets the patient, not the date issued.
Yes, you can. You can use a referral that is made out to a different specialist of the same speciality/vocation (eg: another orthopaedic surgeon).
No, you do not necessarily need to have private health insurance to be a patient in a private hospital. A ‘self-funded’ patient is someone who doesn’t have Private Health Insurance, but pays directly for their medical treatment upfront rather than joining the public wait list.
In-Clinic Fees
Private health insurance does not cover what is done in the rooms (unless you are an in-patient of the hospital, or an overseas visitor with international travel insurance). If you are an international visitor with the necessary insurance, full payment is required at the time of the consultation and you will then be provided with a receipt to claim directly from your provider.
If you are looking for a telehealth psychiatrist for yourself, your child or a family member, Focus Mind Care provides accessible online psychiatric care for patients across Australia.
Our team combines extensive sub-specialty training with broad clinical experience gained in Australia and overseas. We are committed to helping you better understand your concerns, navigate the next steps with confidence, and access compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
