What Is a Medical Referral? A Complete Guide for Patients

A medical referral is a formal written request from one healthcare provider (usually your GP) to another (such as a radiology clinic) asking them to provide a specific service for you. In the context of medical imaging, a referral tells the imaging clinic exactly what scan to perform, which body part to examine, and why.

Think of it as a prescription - but instead of medication, it's for a diagnostic test. Your GP writes it after assessing your symptoms, and you take it to an imaging clinic of your choice. The referral ensures that your scan is clinically justified, properly targeted, and eligible for a Medicare rebate.

In Australia's healthcare system, referrals are the standard mechanism for coordinating care between different providers. They create a chain of communication: your GP refers you for imaging, the radiologist reports the results back to your GP, and your GP then discusses the findings with you and plans next steps.

Referrals exist for several important reasons:

• Clinical safety - A doctor assesses whether imaging is appropriate for your symptoms before you're exposed to radiation or incur costs. Not every symptom needs a scan, and your doctor can determine the most useful test for your situation. • Medicare eligibility - Without a valid referral, you won't receive a Medicare rebate, meaning you pay the full cost out of pocket. With a referral, Medicare covers a significant portion (or all) of the cost at bulk-billing clinics. • Diagnostic accuracy - The referral tells the radiologist what to look for. A referral that says "MRI left knee - ?ACL tear, twisting injury during soccer" helps the radiologist focus on the relevant structures and provide a more useful report. • Continuity of care - The referral creates a documented link between your GP, the imaging clinic, and your ongoing care. Results are sent back to the referring doctor, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

For a detailed breakdown of which scans require referrals, see our guide on do I need a referral for imaging.

An imaging referral is typically a single-page document (printed or digital) that contains:

• Your details - full name, date of birth, address, and Medicare number • The referring doctor's details - name, clinic, Medicare provider number, contact details, and signature • The request - what scan is being ordered (e.g., "CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast") • The clinical indication - a brief statement explaining why the scan is needed (e.g., "recurrent abdominal pain, weight loss, rule out malignancy") • Relevant history - any additional clinical information that helps the radiologist (e.g., previous surgery, current medications, allergies to contrast) • The date - when the referral was written (this determines when it expires)

Referrals can be handwritten on a prescription pad, typed on clinic letterhead, or generated digitally through the GP's practice software. Most clinics accept all formats. For a section-by-section breakdown of what each part means, read our guide on how to read your imaging referral.

In Australia, the following practitioners can write referrals for medical imaging:

• General practitioners (GPs) - the most common source of imaging referrals • Medical specialists - surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, neurologists, etc. • Hospital doctors - emergency physicians, registrars, and consultants • Dentists - for dental imaging (OPG, CBCT) and related jaw/facial scans • Some other health practitioners - in limited circumstances (e.g., physiotherapists for specific musculoskeletal ultrasounds in some states)

The type of referrer can affect your Medicare eligibility. For example, some MRI scans only attract a Medicare rebate if referred by a specialist (not a GP). Your doctor will know whether their referral type qualifies for a rebate for your specific scan.

Nurse practitioners and allied health professionals generally cannot write imaging referrals that attract Medicare rebates, though they may be able to order imaging in some clinical settings (e.g., hospital emergency departments).

You may hear the terms "referral," "request," and "order" used interchangeably - and in practice, they often mean the same thing when it comes to imaging. However, there are subtle differences:

• Referral - Formally refers you to another provider for their professional service. Creates a Medicare-eligible pathway. • Request form - The specific document or template used to communicate the referral details to the imaging clinic. Some clinics have their own request forms that doctors can fill in. • Order - Common in hospital settings. A doctor "orders" a scan within the hospital system.

For patients, the practical distinction rarely matters. What's important is that you have a valid, signed document from an appropriate doctor that specifies what scan you need and why. Whether it's called a referral, request, or order, it serves the same purpose.

Radly accepts referrals in any format. You can upload your referral and we'll help match you with appropriate clinics near you.

Once your GP or specialist writes your imaging referral, the next steps are:

1. You receive the referral - either as a printed document, emailed PDF, or sent electronically to your chosen clinic 2. You choose an imaging clinic - you can go anywhere; the referral is not locked to one provider. Search for clinics on Radly to compare options. 3. You book your appointment - call the clinic, book online, or submit a booking enquiry through Radly 4. You attend your scan - bring your referral, Medicare card, and any previous relevant imaging 5. A radiologist reports on your images - this usually takes 1-3 business days 6. Results are sent to your referring doctor - they'll contact you to discuss the findings

For a full walkthrough of this process, read our detailed guide on what happens after a referral. If you're nervous about attending your scan, our guide on what to bring to your appointment covers everything you need to prepare.

Yes. In Australia, GPs can issue imaging referrals via telehealth consultations. This means you can have a phone or video appointment with your doctor and receive a referral without visiting the clinic in person.

After a telehealth consultation, your referral will typically be:

• Emailed to you as a PDF • Sent electronically to the imaging clinic you choose • Available for pickup at your GP's clinic • Mailed to your address (less common)

Most imaging clinics accept electronic referrals. When booking, let them know your referral was issued via telehealth and ask how they'd prefer to receive it.

This is particularly convenient if you already know what scan you need (e.g., a follow-up scan your specialist mentioned) and just need the formal referral document to proceed with booking.