How to See a Doctor in Australia — A Complete Guide to GP Appointments, Bulk Billing & Telehealth
The gateway to Australian healthcare is your GP (General Practitioner). From how to book a GP appointment and cut your out-of-pocket costs with bulk billing, to using telehealth and after-hours services, to knowing when to call an emergency department (000) versus seeing a GP — this guide pulls together the essentials that new arrivals need to know, based on official information.
What is a GP — the gateway to Australian healthcare
When you fall ill in Australia, the first place you go isn't a hospital but a GP (General Practitioner). A GP is a primary care doctor who covers a broad range — from everyday conditions like colds, wounds and digestive problems to managing chronic conditions, health checks, vaccinations and mental health consultations. They're similar to a local neighbourhood clinic back home, but the key difference is that in Australia the GP acts as the gatekeeper for the entire healthcare system.
How GPs and specialists relate to each other
To see a specialist such as a dermatologist, orthopaedic surgeon or cardiologist, you generally need to see a GP first. If the GP decides it's necessary, they'll write you a referral, and you need this referral for Medicare benefits to apply to the specialist consultation. Going straight to a specialist without a referral can greatly increase your costs or result in being turned away, so remember "GP first" as the default order.
How to book a GP appointment — phone and online booking
GP consultations are mostly by appointment. Once you've chosen a clinic, book a time by calling them or using whatever online booking system the clinic offers. If it's your first visit, it's a good idea to also ask whether they're accepting new patients, whether they bulk bill, and whether you need a Medicare card. Rather than recommending a particular booking platform or clinic, we suggest comparing location, opening hours and cost conditions yourself and choosing accordingly.
Pre-appointment checklist
To make booking and your first consultation go smoothly, get the following ready in advance. If you need an interpreter, you can request one when you book.
- Medicare card (if you have one) or private health insurance details
- Notes on your symptoms, medications you're taking, and allergy information
- Identity documents such as passport/visa, plus your contact details and address
Some clinics accept walk-ins without an appointment, but the wait can be long. Note that if you can't keep an appointment and don't cancel in advance, some places will charge a no-show fee.
Medicare and bulk billing — the key to what you pay
At the heart of Australia's public healthcare is Medicare. Eligible residents use a Medicare card to have some or all of their GP consultation fee subsidised. When the GP bills Medicare directly for the consultation so that your out-of-pocket cost (gap) is $0, that's bulk billing. At clinics that don't bulk bill, you pay the consultation fee upfront and then claim a Medicare rebate, with the difference (the gap fee) coming out of your own pocket. Whether a clinic bulk bills, and its policy, varies from clinic to clinic and changes often, so always check when you book.
- Whether your visa makes you eligible for Medicare — it differs by visa type (student, working holiday, tourist, etc.), so check the official criteria
- Whether the clinic you plan to use bulk bills, and whether there are conditions (e.g. limited to children or pension recipients)
- If you don't have Medicare, the coverage and claiming process of your private health insurance (OSHC/OVHC, etc.)
Medicare eligibility, bulk billing policies and consultation fees vary by time and location. For the exact, up-to-date criteria, please check official websites such as Services Australia.
Where should you go — choosing the right care for the situation
Where you should go depends on how urgent your symptoms are. Going to the emergency department for something minor means a long wait, while delaying an emergency at a GP is dangerous. Use the four options below as a guide. If you're not sure, you can call Healthdirect (1800 022 222) for advice.
Most non-urgent care, such as colds, minor injuries, managing chronic conditions, prescriptions, health checks and vaccinations. It's the basic starting point of Australian healthcare.
Life-threatening situations such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or reduced consciousness. Call 000 immediately or go to a hospital Emergency Department.
Suited to situations where it's hard to travel, or to simple consultations, repeat prescriptions and reviewing test results. Many GPs consult by phone or video; check the cost conditions when you book.
A service that handles non-urgent symptoms during the nights, weekends and public holidays when GPs are closed. It comes as home visits, phone consultations or extended-hours care, and you can find one through Healthdirect.
Action checklist — get ready right now
If you prepare the items below early after arriving, you'll be able to get care quickly without panicking when you actually fall ill.
- If eligible, complete your Medicare registration and secure your card number
- Get to know the GP clinics near your home and workplace and whether they bulk bill, in advance
- Save the Healthdirect number 1800 022 222 and the emergency number 000
- Check the location of your nearest after-hours GP and a 24-hour pharmacy
- Put together your medications, allergies and medical history, and if needed, learn how to request a free interpreter
Cautions and tips — things worth knowing
These are tips to help you avoid the common mistakes people make around costs and procedures. Policies and costs change often, so always check the latest information when you book or visit.
- Specialist consultations only get Medicare benefits with a GP referral — keep to the "GP first" order
- Whether a clinic bulk bills varies by clinic and by time, so always check when you book
- The consultation fee and the medication cost are separate — prescriptions are filled and paid for separately at the pharmacy
- Going to the ED for something minor means a long wait — the ED is only for life-threatening emergencies
- Cancel appointments in advance — some clinics charge a no-show fee
Official links — find more accurate information here
- Services Australia — Medicare(opens in a new window)
Services Australia — official guidance on getting a Medicare card, eligibility and how to use it
- Healthdirect(opens in a new window)
Healthdirect — 24-hour free health advice (1800 022 222) and symptom checker
- Healthdirect — Find a health service(opens in a new window)
Healthdirect service finder — search for GPs, after-hours services, pharmacies and more near you
- Department of Health and Aged Care — Medicare(opens in a new window)
Department of Health and Aged Care — official information on Medicare and bulk billing policy
- Triple Zero (000)(opens in a new window)
Triple Zero (000) — official guidance on ambulance and emergency response in life-threatening situations
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a GP?▾
A GP (General Practitioner) is a general doctor and the first point of contact — the primary care gateway — in Australian healthcare. They handle a wide range of things, from colds and injuries to managing chronic conditions, health checks and vaccinations, and they'll refer you to a specialist when needed.
Can I see a specialist directly?▾
As a rule, you need to see a GP first. In Australia, to receive Medicare benefits for a specialist consultation you need a GP referral. Seeing a specialist without a referral can significantly increase your costs, or make it hard to get an appointment at all.
What is bulk billing?▾
Bulk billing is where the GP bills Medicare directly for the consultation so that there's no out-of-pocket cost (gap) for you. You need a valid Medicare card to use it. Not every clinic bulk bills, so check before you book.
What if I don't have a Medicare card?▾
If you're not eligible for Medicare — for example on a tourist visa — you'll need to pay the full consultation fee yourself or claim it through private health insurance (OVHC/OSHC, etc.). If your visa makes you eligible, register for Medicare through Services Australia. To be safe, check the current eligibility criteria on the official website.
Where do I go if I get sick at night or on the weekend?▾
If it's life-threatening, call 000 immediately for an ambulance or the emergency department (ED). For non-urgent symptoms, use an after-hours GP service or telehealth, and if you're unsure, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24-hour free advice) for guidance.
Can I do telehealth (phone or video consultations) too?▾
Yes. Many GPs offer telehealth consultations by phone or video. It's convenient for things like cold consultations, repeat prescriptions, and reviewing test results. However, Medicare telehealth benefits may have conditions, so check the cost when you book.
Where do I turn a prescription into medication?▾
A prescription issued by a GP is filled at a pharmacy. For an electronic prescription (eScript), just present the QR code or code you received by text or email at the pharmacy. The consultation fee and the medication cost are separate, and PBS-listed medicines are government-subsidised, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.