GP vs Specialist: Who Do You Really Need to See?

In the 2024–25 financial year, more than 8 in 10 Australians saw a GP, and just over 4 in 10 saw a medical specialist – yet almost 1 in 3 people said they waited longer than they felt was acceptable for a specialist appointment.

That’s a huge number of Aussies stuck in limbo: feeling unwell, stuck on a waitlist, and wondering if they’re even trying to see the right kind of doctor in the first place.

If you’ve ever typed “gp vs specialist australia” into Google at 11pm, you’re not alone.

• “Do I really need a dermatologist, or can my GP handle this mole?”
• “Is this hormone stuff for an endocrinologist, or just a routine blood test with my GP?”
• “Can I get a telehealth referral, or do I have to sit in a waiting room again?”

In this article, we’ll untangle all of that.

As an Australian telehealth service, we spend a lot of time helping people work out whether they need general practice care, a specialist referral, or just some reassurance that their current plan makes sense. We’ll lean on trusted Australian sources like Healthdirect, Services Australia, myGov and the ABS so you can feel confident that what you’re reading matches how the health system actually works.

By the end, you’ll know:

• The real difference between a GP and a medical specialist in Australia
• When a GP is exactly who you need
• When a dermatologist referral, endocrinologist referral or other specialist referral is the safer bet
• How to get specialist referral letters quickly – including using telehealth referral services like ours
• How this all fits with sexual health, self‑diagnosis and your day‑to‑day wellbeing

Think of this as your practical, plain‑English guide to navigating “Who do I see?” in the Australian system – without needing a medical degree (or twenty tabs of conflicting Google advice).

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Inside the Australian system: why “GP vs specialist” feels confusing

The Australian health system is GP‑centred. Most people go to a general practitioner first, then get referred on if needed. GPs are the most commonly seen health professionals in the country, and are designed to be your first port of call for almost everything.

At the same time:

• GPs are under pressure, and getting a last‑minute appointment can be tough
• Specialist wait times can feel endless, especially in public clinics
• Telehealth has exploded, which is great for access – but adds a new layer of “What can be done online vs in person?”
• A lot of GPs now manage conditions that traditionally sat with non‑GP specialists, simply because of cost and access barriers.

So if you’re sitting at home with a weird rash, heavy periods, chest fluttering, or a sexual health concern, it’s very normal to ask:

"“Do I go straight to a specialist, or do I start with a GP?”"

Let’s start by getting really clear on what each actually does.

GP vs specialist in Australia: who actually does what?

What is a GP?

In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) are usually the first service people go to for health care outside of hospital. They diagnose and treat a broad range of problems, manage ongoing conditions, and coordinate your care with other services.

A good way to think about your GP:

• First point of contact – the person you see when something’s wrong and you’re not sure what
• Whole‑person care – they look at your symptoms in the context of your life, work, mental health and family history
• Long‑term partner – they’re there over years, not just one episode of illness
• Care coordinator – they order tests, interpret results, and decide when a specialist needs to be involved

Common things GPs manage:

• Colds, flus, COVID and respiratory infections
• UTIs, skin infections and minor injuries
• Mental health (anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues)
• Contraception, pregnancy care, menopause, erectile issues and other sexual health concerns
• Chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, COPD, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
• Preventive care – immunisations, heart risk checks, STI screening, Pap smears, skin checks

In other words: GPs are experts in “breadth” – they see everything, all day, every day.

What is a medical specialist?

A medical specialist is a doctor who has trained in a specific area – cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, psychiatry, orthopaedics, and so on. They generally see narrower sets of conditions, but in greater depth.

Examples:

• Dermatologist – skin, hair and nails
• Endocrinologist – hormones and metabolism (thyroid, diabetes, PCOS, adrenal issues, testosterone)
• Cardiologist – heart and blood vessels
• Gastroenterologist – digestive system and liver
• Rheumatologist – autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints and organs
• Gynaecologist – female reproductive system and many pelvic/sexual health issues
• Urologist – urinary tract and male reproductive system (prostate, testicles, erections, fertility)
• Psychiatrist – mental health conditions, especially complex or treatment‑resistant ones

Specialists are often involved when:

• A diagnosis is uncertain or rare
• Treatment is complex or high‑risk
• Surgery or a specific procedure is needed
• A condition isn’t improving despite appropriate GP care

A simple rule of thumb: when in doubt, start with a GP

For non‑emergency problems, a good rule is:

"If you’re not sure which specialist you need, or whether you need one at all, start with a GP."

They can:

• Work out whether a specialist is actually needed
• Decide which specialist is appropriate
• Write the referral letter that gives you access to the Medicare rebate and helps the specialist understand your story

And yes – that GP can be in‑person or telehealth, provided your situation is suitable for assessment over the phone or video.

When a GP is exactly who you need

A lot of health problems never need to go near a specialist. They just need good GP care, perhaps plus a nurse, physio, psychologist or pharmacist.

Here are some situations where a GP is the right first – and often only – stop.

Everyday issues GPs handle

You probably only need a GP (not a specialist) if you have:

• Typical short‑term illnesses
  • Coughs, sore throats, sinus infections (without red flags)
  • Mild to moderate gastro (vomiting, diarrhoea that settles)
  • Ear infections, conjunctivitis, mild eye irritation
• Simple skin issues
  • Mild acne, eczema or dermatitis
  • Localised rashes that respond to first‑line creams
  • Simple fungal infections like tinea
• Common sexual and reproductive health questions
  • STI testing and treatment
  • Choosing or renewing contraception
  • Mild erectile problems or premature ejaculation without other concerning symptoms
  • Screening for cervical cancer, breast checks, testicular checks
• Early or mild mental health concerns
  • Stress, grief, burnout, mild anxiety or depression

A GP can:

• Examine you (if in person) or take a detailed history via telehealth
• Order blood tests, swabs, x‑rays or ultrasounds as needed
• Start treatment
• Arrange follow‑up and safety‑net advice

At NextClinic, for example, our Australian‑registered doctors provide telehealth consultations for many of these issues. We can issue online prescriptions, medical certificates and, if needed, specialist referrals, based on a proper consultation – not just a tick‑box form.

Long‑term conditions and care plans

Your GP is also the primary manager for most chronic conditions, even when a specialist is involved in the background.

Examples:

• Diabetes:
  • GP manages regular blood tests, medication adjustment, lifestyle support
  • Endocrinologist may be involved for more complex cases, insulin pumps, or hard‑to‑control disease
• High blood pressure & high cholesterol:
  • Usually GP‑managed unless there’s complex heart disease as well
• Asthma or COPD:
  • GP handles day‑to‑day care, action plans, scripts
  • Respiratory specialist may step in for severe or unusual cases
• Long‑term mental health issues:
  • GP coordinates care, prescribes many antidepressants/anxiolytics
  • Psychologist provides therapy; psychiatrist may be involved for more complex or high‑risk conditions

In many cases, the specialist sees you once or a few times, then writes back to the GP with a plan. Your GP then becomes the main person carrying out that plan over the long term.

When you probably need a specialist (and which one)

Sometimes, your symptoms, test results or personal risk mean you really should see a specialist – and a good GP will tell you that.

Here are some common situations where you may need that specialist referral.

Skin issues: when to get a dermatologist referral

Your GP is great for everyday rashes and mild acne, but you may need a dermatologist referral if you have:

• A mole or spot that is:
  • Changing in size, shape or colour
  • Asymmetrical, with irregular borders
  • Bleeding, crusting or not healing
• A personal or strong family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
• Severe acne that’s causing scarring or not improving with regular treatments
• Chronic skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa) that are:
  • Affecting quality of life or mental health
  • Not controlled despite multiple GP‑led treatments

Dermatologists have extra tools – like phototherapy, systemic immunosuppressants and isotretinoin – that require specialist expertise to use safely.

Your GP can examine you and, if needed, issue a dermatologist referral that includes photos, biopsy results and your treatment history. Telehealth GPs can often do this too, especially for renewals or when you already have documented diagnoses and previous specialist letters.

Our own article on backyard sports injuries – including when you might need an orthopaedic or sports specialist – is a good example of how we help people decide when a specialist is worth it.

Hormones, metabolism and weight: when to get an endocrinologist referral

Endocrinologists are hormone specialists. Your GP might suggest an endocrinologist referral if you have:

• Thyroid problems that are hard to stabilise, or a thyroid lump needing detailed assessment
• Type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes that’s complicated or difficult to control
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) with fertility issues or complex metabolic problems
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain, with abnormal hormone tests
• Suspected adrenal or pituitary disorders (for example, Cushing’s, Addison’s, prolactinoma)
• Specialist‑level management of male hormone issues (very low testosterone, complex erectile problems with other hormone abnormalities)

You’ll usually see your GP first, who’ll order baseline bloods and possibly an ultrasound. If things look complicated, that’s your cue for an endocrinologist – via a proper referral letter that explains what’s already been done.

Telehealth can be very handy here. If you already know you need ongoing endocrine care and your original referral is expiring, a telehealth referral can save you from having to cancel a carefully booked specialist appointment just because you couldn’t see your regular GP in time.

Other signs you may need a specialist

Below are a few more “red flag” scenarios where your GP will usually recommend a specialist:

• Heart & chest symptoms
  • Chest pain on exertion, unexplained breathlessness, fainting episodes, abnormal ECG → Cardiologist
• Gut problems
  • Persistent unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, ongoing abdominal pain, chronic severe reflux → Gastroenterologist
• Joints & autoimmune issues
  • Swollen, hot joints; prolonged morning stiffness; recurrent fevers with joint pain → Rheumatologist
• Neurological concerns
  • New seizures, unexplained blackouts, progressive weakness, changes in speech or vision → Neurologist
• Serious or complex mental health concerns
  • Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, treatment‑resistant depression, or any mental health issue with high suicide risk → Psychiatrist

Again, very rarely would you self‑refer straight to these specialists. In the Australian system, your GP (local or telehealth) is usually the one who decides whether it’s time.

Why referrals matter in Australia (and how they actually work)

This is where the “GP vs specialist” question turns into “How do referrals work?”

What is a specialist referral?

A referral is simply a letter from one health professional (usually your GP) to another (often a specialist). It explains:

• Why you’re being sent
• Your relevant history and current medications
• Key test results
• What the referrer is asking for (diagnosis, ongoing care, a particular procedure, etc.)

Referrals are important because in Australia:

• They help the health system stay coordinated and safe
• They’re usually required for you to receive a full Medicare rebate for a specialist appointment – if you see a specialist without a valid referral, Medicare may not pay anything.

How long does a referral last?

For Medicare purposes, the usual rules are:

• GP → specialist:
  • Standard referral lasts 12 months, starting from your first appointment with the specialist, not the date the letter was written
  • GPs can write a longer or indefinite referral for chronic conditions
• Specialist → specialist:
  • Typically valid for 3 months (except if you’re an admitted hospital patient, where it can last for the admission)
• New or unrelated conditions:
  • Even with an indefinite referral, a new problem may need a separate referral letter

If a referral letter is lost or destroyed, it can only be used for one specialist attendance and has to be re‑issued for further visits.

That’s why keeping track of referral expiry dates matters – especially if you’ve waited months for an appointment.

We break these rules down step‑by‑step in our own explainer on specialist referral letters in Australia, including the pros and cons of indefinite referrals.

Open vs named referrals

Your GP can:

• Address a referral to a specific doctor (“Dr Smith, Dermatologist”), or
• Write an “open referral” to a type of specialist (“Dear Dermatologist”).

An open referral can give you more flexibility to:

• Shop around for shorter waits or lower fees
• Change your mind if you’re not comfortable with a particular clinic

This is one of the strategies we explore in detail in our article “How to Fast-Track Your Specialist Referral”, which looks at real‑world ways to cut delays without compromising safety.

How to get specialist referral fast – including via telehealth referral

If you’ve ever scrambled before an appointment thinking, “My referral’s expired – what now?”, this section is for you.

Here’s a practical, Australian‑specific guide to how to get specialist referral efficiently.

Step 1: Start with a GP (in person or via telehealth)

To get a referral, you generally need a GP appointment – local clinic, community GP, or a telehealth GP.

To make the most of that consult:

• Write down your main symptoms
  • When they started
  • What makes them better or worse
  • How they’re affecting your work, study, sex life or mental health
• List medications and allergies
• Think about your goal:
  • “I want to know if this is serious.”
  • “I’d like a dermatologist to look at this mole.”
  • “My GP mentioned an endocrinologist if this blood test was still abnormal.”

Be honest about what you’re worried it could be – cancer, infertility, sexual performance, something genetic. Doctors aren’t shocked by these fears; knowing them actually helps them decide how urgently you need to be seen.

Step 2: Discuss whether a specialist is actually needed

Your GP may:

• Diagnose and treat the issue themselves
• Order further tests first
• Decide that a specialist opinion is appropriate

If you do need a specialist, it’s reasonable to ask:

• “What sort of specialist do I need?”
• “Can this be an open referral so I can choose the clinic?”
• “Is a public hospital clinic an option if cost is a problem, even if it means a longer wait?”

For chronic conditions, you can ask whether an indefinite referral is suitable, but the final decision rests with your doctor, who must follow Medicare rules.

Step 3: Getting your referral via telehealth

This is where telehealth referral options come into their own – especially when you:

• Already know which specialist you’re seeing
• Have an upcoming appointment but your old referral is about to expire
• Can’t get in to see your regular GP in time
• Are travelling, working long hours, or live far from your usual clinic

At NextClinic, our Online Specialist Referrals service is designed exactly for these scenarios. Our process looks like this:

1. Submit a request online
   • Choose whether you need a New Referral or Renew Referral
   • Tell us what type of specialist you need – for example:
     • Dermatologist referral for ongoing skin issues
     • Endocrinologist referral for complex diabetes or hormone problems
     • ENT, cardiologist, rheumatologist, gynaecologist, urologist and more
   • Answer a short, clinically‑designed questionnaire about your symptoms and history
2. Have a short phone consultation
   • An Australian‑registered doctor calls you (usually within an hour between 6 am and midnight AEDT)
   • They clarify your symptoms, review any letters or results you have, and decide if a referral is clinically appropriate
3. Receive your referral
   • If appropriate, the doctor issues a referral that meets Medicare requirements
   • You receive it securely via email/portal and can use it anywhere in Australia, just like a referral from your regular GP

A few important safety notes:

• We (and other reputable telehealth providers) won’t issue referrals if your situation sounds like an emergency or clearly needs a hands‑on exam – we’ll direct you to ED or an in‑person GP instead
• The outcome of the consult is always at the doctor’s discretion – you’re paying for clinical assessment, not for a guaranteed piece of paper

For a deeper, step‑by‑step example of how to use telehealth to beat referral bottlenecks, check out our dedicated post “How to Fast-Track Your Specialist Referral.”

GP vs specialist for sexual health and hormones

Sexual health is one of the biggest areas where people self‑diagnose and hesitate to seek help – often for months or years.

Questions we see all the time:

• “Is this recurring thrush something for my GP or a gynae?”
• “Do I need a urologist for erectile dysfunction, or can telehealth handle it?”
• “Are hormone issues (like low testosterone or PCOS) for an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, or my GP?”

Let’s break it down.

Sexual health issues your GP can manage

A GP (local or telehealth) is usually the right place to start for:

• STI screening and treatment
• Contraception – including the pill, mini‑pill, ring, patch, shot; and referrals for implants, IUDs and other long‑acting methods
• Early erectile problems without significant red flags
• Premature ejaculation, where a mix of behavioural strategies, medication and reassurance often helps
• Recurrent uncomplicated thrush or bacterial vaginosis
• Routine sexual health checks when you change partners or have had a risk exposure

On our blog, we’ve written detailed, sex‑positive guides covering many of these topics – such as “Birth Control Options and How to Get Them in Australia”, “Is Online Birth Control Safe in Australia?”, “Implants, IUDs, and Shots: Long-Term Birth Control Online”, and “Effective Premature Ejaculation Treatments in Australia.”

These articles walk through the options in depth and show how telehealth can safely be part of your contraception or sexual health plan.

When a sexual health specialist is the right move

Your GP might suggest a specialist referral if you have:

• Gynaecology‑level concerns
  • Severe or disabling period pain, suspected endometriosis
  • Heavy bleeding causing anaemia
  • Recurrent miscarriages
  • Complex contraception needs or failed treatments

→ Gynaecologist referral (often with supporting ultrasound and bloods)

• Complex hormone or fertility issues
  • PCOS with metabolic problems, unexplained infertility, suspected pituitary or adrenal disorders

→ Endocrinologist referral

• Persistent or complicated erectile dysfunction or genital problems
  • ED with chest pain or exertional shortness of breath (needs urgent GP/ED first)
  • Persistent testicular pain or lumps
  • Recurrent UTIs in men, or concerns about prostate problems

→ Urologist referral; sometimes cardiologist or endocrinologist as well

• Recurrent or unusual STIs, or HIV care

→ Sexual health physician or specialist clinic referral

For many of these, telehealth plays more than one role:

• A discreet, low‑stress way to start the conversation and get initial tests ordered
• A way to renew an endocrinologist or gynaecologist referral when your ongoing care needs are already established
• A backup when local services are closed (e.g. over holidays) but you can’t afford to let a script or referral lapse

If you’re exploring contraception specifically, our party‑season guide to staying safe – including how to avoid last‑minute pill panics – is worth a read.

And if you’re worried about something like ED, know that you’re absolutely not alone; we have whole articles devoted to demystifying treatments, including newer fast‑acting options, and how to talk about them with a doctor.

Bringing it all together – and your next step this week

Let’s zoom back out.

Key takeaways:

• In Australia, GPs are your default first stop. They handle an enormous range of conditions and coordinate your care, including referrals when needed.
• Specialists step in when problems are complex, high‑risk, unusual, or not improving despite good GP care. Think dermatologists for tricky skin, endocrinologists for complex hormone issues, cardiologists for heart disease, and so on.
• Referrals are the bridge between GPs and specialists – and they’re usually essential for Medicare rebates. A standard GP referral lasts 12 months, and you can often ask for an open or longer‑term referral when appropriate.
• You can see a specialist without a referral, but many won’t accept you – and Medicare typically won’t pay, meaning much higher out‑of‑pocket costs.
• Telehealth – including our services at NextClinic – can safely speed up the admin side of care (scripts, medical certificates, and specialist referrals) for non‑emergency issues, especially when timing or distance make in‑person visits hard.

Most importantly: you don’t have to figure all of this out alone or perfectly.

Your challenge for this week

Choose one practical strategy from this article and actually use it in your real life.

For example, you might:

• Make a short “symptom diary” (what, when, what makes it better/worse) before your next GP or telehealth appointment
• Check the expiry date of your current specialist referral and put a reminder in your phone one month before it runs out
• If you’ve been putting off seeing someone about a sexual health concern, book a GP or telehealth consult and commit to being honest about what’s really worrying you
• Read one of our related posts – like “How to Fast-Track Your Specialist Referral” or our contraception guides – and pick one tip to put into practice this month

Then, in the comments section of the blog:

• Tell us which strategy you chose,
• How you put it into action, and
• What difference it made – even if it’s just “I finally booked the appointment I’ve been avoiding for six months.”

Your story might be exactly what another Aussie needs to read when they’re stuck between tabs on “gp vs specialist australia” and wondering what to do next.

And if you need a telehealth referral, medical certificate, or online prescription to get things moving, we’re here – every day, Australia‑wide – to help you take that next step.

References

• Patient Experiences, 2024-25 financial year | Australian Bureau of Statistics
• What is a referral? | healthdirect
• New data exposes major shift in how Aussies use their GP
• General practitioners | Primary health care careers | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• NextClinic: Online Medical Certificates, Instant Scripts and Telehealth Consults
• Backyard Cricket Injuries: When You Need a Specialist | NextClinic
• Referrals for specialist treatment - Health professionals - Services Australia
• Specialist Referral Letters in Australia | NextClinic
• How to Fast-Track Your Specialist Referral | NextClinic
• Seeing a specialist, allied health professional or getting tests or scans | myGov
• Specialist Referral Letters in Minutes | NextClinic
• Birth Control Options and How to Get Them in Australia | NextClinic
• Stay Safe: Your Guide to Contraception This Party Season | NextClinic
• Quick Relief: The New 15-Minute Solution for Erectile Dysfunction | NextClinic

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