Online radiology referrals
Online radiology referrals, sorted within the hour.
Need an MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, or CT? Talk to an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor online and, if it's clinically appropriate, get your radiology referral within an hour. Take it to any imaging centre in Australia.
100% online. 6am to midnight, every day. If the doctor decides a referral isn't right for you, you won't be charged.

How it works
Four steps from request to result.
- 1
Tell us what you need.
A quick, private online form — what's going on, what your GP, physio or specialist has suggested, and which area needs imaging.
- 2
A doctor reviews your request.
An AHPRA-registered doctor reviews your request and calls you if they need more information.
- 3
Your referral is issued online.
If clinically appropriate, the doctor issues your radiology referral online, within an hour.
- 4
Take it to any radiology lab.
Take the referral to any radiology lab in Australia. Your results come back through the lab. Here's how you'll receive them
What you get
A referral a real imaging lab can use.
A radiology referral, written by an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor and accepted at every imaging lab in Australia.
The doctor decides which scan to request based on what you tell them — X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammogram, DEXA, or whatever else fits your situation. If you've already been told by another clinician what to ask for (a sore knee MRI, a pelvic ultrasound, a chest X-ray after a cough), bring that to the consult and the doctor will weigh it up.
Common scan types
The doctor chooses what fits your situation
Examples include a sore knee MRI, a pelvic ultrasound, or a chest X-ray after a cough. The doctor will assess what is clinically appropriate.
Pricing
$49.90
For the consult and referral, if approved.
One price, same for everyone.
The consult is private — no Medicare needed.
No referral, no charge.
If the doctor decides a referral isn't right for you, you're not billed for the consult.
Lab fees are separate.
Some scans may be partly covered by Medicare at the lab — your imaging provider can confirm out-of-pocket before you go in.
Who this is for
When waiting a week for a GP appointment costs you another week.
People who need imaging done and can't wait a week for a GP appointment to ask for the referral.
- You've hurt your back, knee, shoulder, or ankle and you need an X-ray or ultrasound to figure out what's going on.
- You've had a cough or chest pain that isn't shifting and a doctor has mentioned a chest X-ray.
- Your physio or specialist has asked for imaging before your next session and you don't want to lose another week.
- You're tracking something already diagnosed and your specialist wants a fresh scan.
- You're due for a routine check — a mammogram, a DEXA, an ultrasound — and your GP's books are full.
- You're in pain and want answers without sitting in a waiting room.
Whatever the reason, the doctor will assess it on the call and, if it's clinically appropriate, issue the referral.
Real clinic, real doctors
Doctor-led referrals, recognised across Australia.
01
AHPRA-registered Australian doctors, on call 6am to midnight, every day.
02
Referrals issued within an hour, if clinically appropriate.
03
100% online. Your consult is private and your data stays in Australia.
04
Real clinic, registered in Australia. The referral is recognised at every radiology lab in the country.
05
You're only charged if the doctor approves your referral.
06
Imaging and referral decisions are made by doctors, not forms.
FAQs
The questions people ask before booking.
Can I request a radiology referral online?+
Yes. You can book a telehealth consultation with one of our doctors, who can issue radiology referrals if clinically appropriate.
How fast will I get my results?+
It depends on the lab and the type of scan. Simple X-rays and ultrasounds are often read within a day or two. CT and MRI can take longer, especially if a specialist radiologist needs to report on them. Your radiology lab can give you a clearer timeframe when you book or attend.
Will my imaging scan be bulk billed?+
If you have a Medicare card and the imaging requested by the doctor is clinically indicated, your scan may be bulk billed. However, final eligibility for bulk billing is determined by the radiology provider.
Will my MRI scan be bulk billed?+
It depends on the clinical situation, the part of the body being scanned, and the type of MRI requested. Final eligibility for bulk billing is determined by the radiology provider.
How do I know which imaging scan I need?+
Consult with one of our doctors regarding your symptoms, and they will request the appropriate imaging based on their clinical assessment.
How do I receive my imaging results?+
We receive your imaging results directly through our platform, and you’ll receive a notification once they are available. As soon as you receive the notification, your results will be available to download from your patient portal. Our doctors will also review your results at the same time.
If you would like to discuss your results, you can book a consultation with one of our doctors.
We also recommend attending one of our preferred providers listed on this page, as this is usually the
Can I discuss my imaging results with a doctor?+
Yes. Once your results are available, you can book a follow-up telehealth consultation with one of our doctors to discuss the findings and any recommended next steps.
How will I get my results?+
Results are sent to NextClinic by the lab. We release what we can directly, then a doctor reviews your scan. Here's how the result process works — including what to do if you'd like to talk a doctor through them on a follow-up.
How much does it cost?+
$49.90 for the consult and the referral, if approved. Radiology lab fees are separate and set by the lab; some scans may be partly covered by Medicare at the lab.
What if I'm not sure what to test for?+
Tell the doctor on the call what's going on — the symptoms, what's been said by anyone you've already seen, what you'd like answered. They'll work out what scan makes sense, and whether anything else — a script, bloods, a specialist referral — would help.
What types of imaging can be requested online?+
Depending on your symptoms and clinical assessment, our doctors may request imaging such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs if clinically appropriate.
Most standard imaging — X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammogram, DEXA — can be referred online. Some specialised scans (interventional procedures, certain contrast studies, nuclear medicine) may need a specialist referral instead, and the doctor will tell you on the call if that's the case.
What about the follow-up?+
Once your results are released, you can book a follow-up consult with a NextClinic doctor to talk through what they mean and what to do next. The follow-up is a separate consult.
Is this legitimate?+
Yes. Every consult is with an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor, allowed to practise nationwide. The radiology referral is a standard clinical document and every Australian imaging lab will accept it.
Is this private?+
Yes. The consult is private, your data stays in Australia, and you don't have to explain anything at a front desk. Like any doctor's consult, it's part of your medical record — that's how the referral gets recognised at the lab.
Can I go to any radiology provider?+
Yes, you can. However, our preferred providers are listed on this page. We recommend attending one of these providers, as it helps ensure we receive your results as quickly as possible.
Do I need an appointment for my imaging scan?+
Some imaging providers accept walk-ins for certain scans, while others require bookings. Please check directly with your chosen radiology provider.
Can I get an MRI referral online?+
Yes. Our doctors can issue MRI referrals online if clinically appropriate following a telehealth consultation.
Do I need a consultation before getting imaging?+
Yes. A doctor must assess your symptoms and medical history before issuing a radiology referral.
How quickly will I receive my radiology referral?+
Once your consultation is completed and the referral is approved, your radiology referral will be available in your patient portal.
Can I download my radiology referral online?+
Yes. Your imaging referral form can be downloaded directly from your patient portal after it has been issued by the doctor.
How long do imaging results take?+
The turnaround time depends on the type of scan and the radiology provider. Some results may return within 24–48 hours, while more specialised imaging may take longer.
Will my doctor review my imaging results?+
Yes. Our doctors review all imaging results received through the platform. You can also book a follow-up consultation to discuss the findings.
How will I know when my imaging results are ready?+
You’ll receive a notification once your imaging results are available. Your results can then be downloaded directly from your patient portal.
About online radiology referrals in Australia
Online referrals, same imaging process.
Online radiology works the same way as the imaging your GP orders — the only difference is how you get the referral. Instead of booking a GP appointment and waiting, you fill in a short online imaging request, an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor reviews it, and if it's clinically appropriate they issue your imaging referral online.
From there, the process is identical to any other scan. You take the referral to a radiology lab — any one, anywhere in Australia — the lab does the imaging, and the results come back through the normal clinical channels.
A radiology referral online is useful when you already know roughly what you need imaged, when you're in pain and your GP is booked out, or when a physio or specialist has asked you to come back with a recent scan. An online scan referral isn't a shortcut around the doctor's call — it's a faster way to reach one. The doctor still decides what's appropriate to include, and they'll call if they need more from you before issuing the referral.
Get your radiology referral today
Talk to an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor, 6am to midnight. If a referral is right for you, it's issued online within the hour and accepted at every radiology lab in Australia.
$49.90. You're only charged if the doctor approves your referral.
Get my radiology referral