The short answer
Yes, if you want a Medicare rebate. You need a referral, usually from your GP, to claim Medicare for a urologist appointment. You can see one privately without a referral, but any Medicare benefit is lower and you'll pay more. Sudden severe testicle pain, or a full bladder you can't empty at all, needs urgent care, not a referral.
On this page
Do I need a referral to see a urologist?
Yes, if you want Medicare to help with the cost. Healthdirect's advice is to get a referral from your GP to see a urologist, whether in a public or private clinic [1]. You can still book privately without one, but the urologist then has to bill a different Medicare item, so any benefit is lower and you'll likely pay more out of pocket [2][3].
The referral letter helps the urologist understand your condition, medical history and past test results. After your visit, the urologist updates your GP on test results and recommended treatment [1].
Symptoms that need urgent care
Some urology problems can't wait for a referral:
- Severe pain and swelling in your scrotum. This can be testicular torsion, which needs emergency surgery within a few hours. Go to an emergency department straight away [4].
- A full bladder you can't empty at all. Seek urgent medical attention, and call 000 if you need urgent help [5].
What does a urologist treat?
A urologist is a specialist doctor with surgical training, also called a urological surgeon. They treat problems with the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, prostate and male reproductive organs, in males and females, adults and children [1]. Common reasons for a referral include [1]:
- problems passing urine, or not being able to empty your bladder properly
- blood in your urine
- urinary incontinence (poor bladder control)
- kidney stones
- an enlarged or inflamed prostate
- cancer of the kidney, bladder, prostate or testicle
- erectile dysfunction or a varicocele
- a vasectomy
At your appointment, the urologist will ask about your symptoms, history, medicines and lifestyle, may examine you, and may send you for blood tests, urine tests or imaging scans [1]. If you've already had an ultrasound or blood tests, bring the results.
Who can write a urologist referral?
GPs are the main source of referrals. Specialists can refer to each other, ideally with your GP kept informed, and nurse practitioners can also refer to specialists [2].
A valid referral includes the reason for referring you, the date and the referring practitioner's signature, plus relevant clinical information [2]. It must be in writing, and the urologist needs it by your first appointment [3]. If the referral gets lost, it can only be used for your first appointment, so ask your GP to resend it [2][6].
Does the referral need to name a urologist?
No. For appointments in private rooms, naming a specialist is up to your GP. If one is named, you can still see a different urologist, as long as you haven't started seeing the named one [2][6]. A specialist doesn't have to accept a referral, named or not [2]. If you choose to be a private patient in a public hospital outpatient clinic, the referral must be addressed to a named specialist [2].
How long does a urologist referral last?
| Who wrote it | How long it lasts |
|---|---|
| Your GP | 12 months, unless the GP writes a shorter or longer period, or makes it indefinite for ongoing care [2] |
| Another specialist | 3 months, unless you're an admitted hospital patient [2] |
The period starts at your first appointment with the urologist, not the date the referral was written [2]. A referral covers one course of treatment for a condition, and a new or unrelated problem needs a new referral [2]. If your condition needs ongoing urology care, your GP can make the referral indefinite [2]. More in how long a referral lasts.
How much does a urologist cost?
With a valid referral, Medicare pays a benefit set by the Medicare Benefits Schedule. A first referred specialist consultation in the urologist's rooms is item 104. As at the 1 July 2026 fee update (checked November 2026), its schedule fee is $103.95 and the Medicare benefit is $88.40 [7]. Follow-up appointments for the same condition are claimed under follow-up items [2].
For appointments outside hospital, you pay the difference between the specialist's fee and any Medicare benefit [8]. A few points to keep in mind:
- Private health insurance won't help with consultations in the urologist's rooms, because insurers can't contribute to out-of-hospital treatment for Medicare services [8].
- If you might need tests or a procedure, ask for an estimate of those costs too.
- Before your first appointment, ask whether Medicare will contribute and how much it will pay [8].
Can I get a urologist referral through telehealth?
Yes, if your GP decides it's clinically appropriate. Medicare rules require the GP to have attended you, considered whether you need a referral, and put it in writing, signed and dated [3]. They don't require a face-to-face visit, and electronic referrals are allowed [2]. See can you get a referral online.
Whether your telehealth GP consult itself attracts a Medicare rebate depends on separate rules, such as having had a face-to-face service at that practice in the last 12 months or being registered there through MyMedicare [10].
Some urology appointments can be by telehealth too. Medicare has ongoing video and phone items for specialist consultations. Video is preferred, and a first specialist consultation has a video item but no phone item [9]. These items have the same requirements as the matching in-person items, so you still need a referral [9][10]. If the urologist needs to examine you, that part happens in person.
Getting a referral
Referral GP offers telehealth consultations by phone or video with AHPRA-registered Australian GPs. If your GP thinks a urologist is the right next step, they can write a referral, and they can request tests such as an ultrasound or blood tests where appropriate.
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.
We're not an emergency service. For severe testicle pain, go to an emergency department. If you can't pass urine at all, get urgent medical help or call 000.
Start a specialist referral consult
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice.
Common questions
Can I see a urologist without a referral?
Yes, privately. Without a valid referral the urologist has to bill a different Medicare item, so any benefit is lower and you'll likely pay more out of pocket [2].
How long does a urologist referral last?
A GP referral lasts 12 months from your first appointment with the urologist, unless your GP writes a different period or makes it indefinite for an ongoing condition. A referral from another specialist lasts 3 months [2].
Do women see urologists?
Yes. Urologists treat urinary system problems in males and females, adults and children, including incontinence, kidney stones and blood in the urine [1].
Does private health insurance cover a urologist appointment?
Not for consultations in the urologist's rooms, because health insurers can't contribute to out-of-hospital treatment for Medicare services [8]. If you need surgery in hospital, check what your policy covers.
References
- healthdirect. The role of a urologist. Last reviewed November 2024. Accessed November 2026. healthdirect.gov.au/healthcare-and-services/roles-and-specialties/urol
- MBS Online. Factsheet: Referrals for specialist services. Last updated August 2026. Accessed November 2026. mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/650f3eec0dfb990fca2
- MBS Online. Explanatory note GN.6.16: Referral of patients to specialists or consultant physicians. Accessed November 2026. www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=GN.6.16&qt=noteID
- healthdirect. Testicular torsion. Last reviewed September 2025. Accessed November 2026. healthdirect.gov.au/testicular-torsion
- healthdirect. Urinary retention. Last reviewed May 2026. Accessed November 2026. healthdirect.gov.au/symptoms/urinary-retention
- Services Australia. Referrals for specialist treatment. Last updated 15 August 2025. Accessed November 2026. servicesaustralia.gov.au/referrals-for-specialist-treatment
- MBS Online. Item 104: Specialist, referred consultation, initial attendance. Schedule fee updated 1 July 2026. Accessed November 2026. www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=104&qt=item
- Australian Government Department of Health. Medical Costs Finder: A guide to out-of-pocket medical costs. Accessed November 2026. medicalcostsfinder.health.gov.au/resources/a-guide-to-out-of-pocket-me
- MBS Online. Explanatory note AN.40.1: Specialist and consultant physician MBS telehealth (video and phone) attendance items. Accessed November 2026. www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=AN.40.1&qt=noteID
- Services Australia. Who can claim telehealth services. Last updated 1 November 2025. Accessed November 2026. servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/services/m
Published by Referral GP. Last updated 6 November 2026. This page is general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice about your own situation. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000.