New referral
Seeing someone for the first time — the doctor assesses your needs and writes the referral to the right specialist.
- Dermatology, psychiatry, ENT, physio and more
- Matched to your concern in a short call
$59.90Request a new referral
Specialist referrals
Your GP's booked out. We're not.
Get a new specialist referral — or renew one that's expiring — after a short phone consultation. An AHPRA-registered doctor emails your letter within the hour, valid for 12 months.
AHPRARegistered doctors
< 30 minsTypical wait time
12 monthsReferral validity
6am–midnight7 days a week
Pricing
Starting fresh, or keeping it going?
Renewal
Your referral's expiring and your GP is booked out for weeks. Renew it in a short call — no gap in your care.
- Keep seeing the specialist you already know
- Sorted before your next appointment
$59.90Renew my referral
How it works
Weeks of waiting, down to an hour.
Step 1
Tell us who you need
A short form about your history and the specialist you're after — new or a renewal.
Step 2
The doctor calls you
A short consultation within the hour to understand your needs and confirm the right specialist.
Step 3
The letter lands in your inbox
Emailed within the hour and saved to your patient portal — valid for 12 months, used like any GP referral.
Who we refer to
Whoever you need to see
Dermatologist, Psychiatrist, Endocrinologist
Rheumatologist, ENT specialist, Physiotherapist
And more — ask the doctor
Patient reviews
Rated 4.9 by 702 patients
“My specialist referral was expiring and my GP was booked out for weeks. Used this service to renew my endocrinologist referral and had it sorted within the hour. Saved me weeks of waiting and taking time off work. The referral was accepted without any issues. Brilliant service!”
Michael B. — Wollongong, NSW
“As someone who works FIFO in remote mining sites, getting to a GP for a specialist referral was always a challenge. NextClinic has been a game-changer. Got my referral letter for a physiotherapist while I was on site, and the whole process was seamless. Great value for money and excellent service!”
Mohammad A. — Perth, WA
“Being a busy mum of three in Tasmania, finding time to visit a GP for a referral letter was nearly impossible. NextClinic's online service was exactly what I needed. The doctor was very understanding of my situation and provided a detailed referral letter for an ENT specialist. Quick, efficient, and worth every cent!”
Jessica O. — Hobart, TAS
The NextClinic app
Referrals are easier in the app.
Request your referral in a few taps, track it in real time, and have the letter ready to show — or forward — the moment the specialist's front desk asks for it.
- Watch your request go from pending to approved
- Your referral saved, ready for the specialist's front desk
- Care is one tap away whenever you need it
Accepted everywhere
As valid as one from your GP.
Every referral is written by an AHPRA-registered doctor after a real consultation, meets Australian healthcare standards, and is valid for 12 months — specialists' offices treat it like any GP referral.
4.9 from 702 reviewsAHPRA-registered doctors
FAQs
Questions, answered
Support online now
Can't find what you're after? The FAQs page covers the lot, or email support@nextclinic.com.au — we reply within the day.
Visit the FAQs page →An online specialist referral letter service can issue a new referral letter to a specialist of your choice or renew your referral to a specific specialist when it is about to expire. Through NextClinic, you can connect with an Australian-registered doctor who can issue a specialist referral letter online, eliminating the need for an in-person clinic visit.
You will be asked to fill out a request form detailing your symptoms, needs and some medical history. One of our Australian-Registered doctors will then call you for a short consultation before issuing an online referral letter to a specialist. The referral is valid and can be used just like a normal referral from your GP.
You can consult with one of our doctors to obtain a specialist referral letter online for just $59.90.
Most of NextClinic’s online specialist referral letters are issued within the hour after a short consultation. We have doctors available between 6 am and midnight, 7 days a week
Contact our customer support team at support@nextclinic.com.au for assistance with any concerns regarding your referral or the provider.
Our doctors can provide referrals to a wide range of specialists, including:
- Dermatologists
- Psychiatrists
- Cardiologists
- Neurologists
- Orthopaedic surgeons
- ENT specialists
- Gastroenterologists
- Gynaecologists
- Urologists
- Ophthalmologists
If a specialist referral is clinically appropriate, your doctor can prepare the referral during your consultation.
For many medical specialists in Australia, a GP referral is recommended or required if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for your specialist appointment. Some specialists may also require a referral before accepting new patients.
Yes. If your referral has expired or your specialist requires an updated referral, NextClinic doctors can assess your situation and provide a renewal where clinically appropriate.
Most GP referrals to specialists are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued. Referrals to consultant physicians are generally valid for 12 months, while referrals for ongoing care under certain arrangements may remain valid for longer. Your specialist can advise if a new referral is required.
Yes. If you already know which specialist you wish to see, simply provide their name and clinic details during your consultation. Your doctor can address the referral to that specialist where appropriate.
Yes. If you haven't chosen a specialist yet, your doctor may issue an open referral that allows you to book with an appropriate specialist, where clinically suitable.
Yes. Before issuing a specialist referral, a NextClinic doctor will contact you for a brief telehealth consultation to understand your symptoms, medical history, and determine whether a referral is clinically appropriate.
Yes. Specialist referral letters issued by Australian-registered doctors can generally be used to see eligible specialists anywhere in Australia.
Yes. If clinically appropriate, NextClinic doctors can also provide pathology request forms and radiology referrals through an online consultation, in addition to specialist referrals.
If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or could represent a medical emergency, you should call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department immediately. Online specialist referrals are not suitable for emergency medical conditions.
To help your doctor assess your request, it's useful to provide:
- Your symptoms and how long you've had them
- Relevant medical history
- Current medications
- Previous test results (if available)
- The name of your preferred specialist (if known)
Providing complete information helps ensure your referral contains the details the specialist needs.
Support online now
Can't find what you're after? The FAQs page covers the lot, or email support@nextclinic.com.au — we reply within the day.
Visit the FAQs page →
