Can you get a referral online?

Are online referrals valid?

A referral from a genuine telehealth consultation can be just as usable as one from a clinic visit. Medicare's rules for a valid specialist referral are ^[1]:

• the referring practitioner has had a consultation with you and turned their mind to whether you need a referral
• the referral is in writing, signed and dated
• the specialist receives it on or before your appointment

Those rules don't say the consultation has to be face to face. Referrals can also be made in hard copy or electronically, as long as electronic referrals comply with the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 ^[2].

The referral itself also needs the usual details: the reason for referring you, the date and the doctor's signature ^[1][2]. The specialist's Medicare claim also has to show the doctor's name and practice address or provider number, so these are normally on the referral too ^[1]. Our referral letter guide covers what goes in one, and how long a referral lasts explains validity periods.

What does the Medical Board say about telehealth?

The Medical Board of Australia's telehealth guidelines took effect on 1 September 2023 ^[3][4]. The key points for anyone looking for an online referral:

• A real-time consultation is expected. Prescribing or providing healthcare for a patient without a real-time direct consultation is not good practice and is not supported by the Board. That includes requests for medicines made by text, email, live chat or online, based only on a health questionnaire, where the doctor has never spoken with you ^[3].
• Video is preferred. When practical, the Board considers video consultations preferable to phone ^[3].
• Referrals should be handled properly. Doctors should have systems for sending referrals securely and make sure you know how you'll receive them ^[3].
• Your usual GP should be kept informed. With your consent, and when clinically warranted, the doctor should let your usual GP know about referrals made and advice given ^[3].

There is a narrow exception for your usual doctor, or another practitioner with access to your clinical record, in certain circumstances ^[3]. A new online service you've never used doesn't fit that exception.

Will Medicare pay for an online GP consult?

This is a separate question from whether the referral is valid. To get a Medicare rebate for a standard GP telehealth consult, you need to meet one of two pathways ^[5][6]:

1. Face-to-face history. The GP, or another practitioner at the same practice, has provided you a face-to-face service billed to Medicare in the past 12 months.
2. MyMedicare. You're registered in MyMedicare with that practice.

Earlier phone or video consults don't count as face-to-face visits ^[5]. To register for MyMedicare, you generally need 2 face-to-face visits with the practice in the previous 24 months, or 1 if you live in a remote area, with exemptions for people facing hardship ^[7].

Some patients and services are exempt from these rules, including ^[6]:

• children under 12 months
• people experiencing homelessness
• people in an area declared a natural disaster
• patients of an Aboriginal Medical Service or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service
• certain service types, such as urgent after-hours care and blood-borne virus, sexual or reproductive health consultations

Medicare telehealth items covered by these rules also aren't available if you or the doctor are overseas at the time ^[6].

So with a new online GP service, your first consult often won't be Medicare rebated. That affects what you pay for the GP consult. The requirements for a valid referral above don't include the GP consult itself being Medicare rebated ^[1][2].

What can and can't you get online?

Where it's clinically appropriate, a telehealth GP can write:

• a referral to a specialist, such as a dermatologist
• a request for imaging or pathology
• a referral to allied health, where the rules allow

Some things are harder or not possible online:

• Problems that need an examination. Telehealth can't fully replace a physical examination, and the Medical Board expects doctors to arrange for you to be seen in person when that's needed ^[3].
• Medicare-rebated care plans. A new mental health treatment plan by telehealth needs you to meet the eligibility pathways above ^[6]. Chronic condition management plans must come from your MyMedicare practice if you're registered with one, or from your usual GP if you're not ^[9]. So a one-off online GP usually can't provide either. See do I need a referral for a psychologist.

What should an online referral consult look like?

Expect it to feel like a normal GP appointment, just on a screen or the phone:

• a real conversation with a doctor, by video where practical ^[3]
• questions about your history, symptoms, medicines and what you've already tried
• the doctor confirming who you are ^[3]
• a clear decision, which may be that a referral isn't the right next step
• the referral sent securely, with clear instructions on how you'll get it ^[3]
• an offer to send a summary to your usual GP, with your consent ^[3]

Red flags of dodgy online referral services

Be wary if a service:

• only asks you to fill in a form, with no real-time conversation with a doctor ^[3][4]
• promises a referral before a doctor has assessed you
• won't tell you who the doctor is. You should be able to look them up on Ahpra's public register, which shows whether they're registered and any conditions on their practice ^[8]
• doesn't ask about your history or confirm your identity
• won't share information with your usual GP, even when you want it to ^[3]

Getting a referral

Referral GP offers telehealth consultations by phone or video with AHPRA-registered Australian GPs. Where it's clinically appropriate, your GP can write a referral to a specialist, a request for imaging or pathology, or a referral to allied health where the rules allow. Parents or guardians can book for their child, and the child attends the consult with them.

A consultation doesn't guarantee a referral. Your GP decides what's clinically appropriate.

Bulk billed for eligible patients. If you're not eligible, a consultation fee may apply, and we'll confirm it with you before your consult. You can read more on fees and how it works.

We're not an emergency service. If it's an emergency, call 000. When you're ready, start a referral consult.

This page is general information, not medical or legal advice.