Can Your GP Refer to Both Public and Private Specialists at the Same Time? (Australia Guide)

21 Mar

Introduction

If you’ve been told your child needs to see a specialist, you might be wondering:

Can my GP refer us to both public and private at the same time?

The short answer is:

👉 Yes — in many cases, your GP can refer your child to both public and private specialists at the same time in Australia.

But there are a few important things parents need to understand to make this work in their favour.

Why parents ask this question

Most families are trying to balance:

Long public waitlists
High private costs
Wanting their child seen as soon as possible

And often, no one clearly explains that you don’t always have to choose one or the other.

Can a GP refer to both public and private?

👉 Yes — your GP can usually provide multiple referrals.

This means you can:

Be placed on a public hospital waitlist
AND book a private specialist appointment at the same time.

How this works in practice

Here’s how many parents use this strategy:

1. Get a GP referral

Ask your GP for:

A public outpatient referral
AND a private specialist referral

2. Join the public waitlist

This keeps your place in the system.

👉 Even if it takes months, you haven’t lost your spot.

3. Book a private appointment

If you can afford it (or choose to prioritise speed), you can:

See a private specialist sooner
Get assessment and initial management started

4. Transfer back to public (if needed)

Once your child reaches the top of the public list, you can:

Continue care publicly
Or use public services for ongoing management

Why this strategy matters

Many parents don’t realise this is an option.

👉 Instead, they:

Wait months (or years) on a public list
OR feel forced to fully commit to private care

When in reality, you can often do both strategically.

Things to be aware of

🔹 Referrals may need to be separate

Your GP may need to write:

One referral for public
One for private

🔹 Costs still apply privately

Private appointments will involve:

Out-of-pocket fees
Medicare rebates (partial)

🔹 Public systems have their own processes

Each hospital or service may:

Triage referrals differently
Have different wait times

What to say to your GP

If you’re unsure how to ask, you can say:

“Is it possible to get both a public and private referral so we can explore both options?”

This opens the conversation without pressure.

When this approach is most helpful

This strategy can be especially useful when:

Your child needs timely assessment
Waitlists are long or uncertain
You want flexibility in your options

Final thoughts

Navigating the health system can feel overwhelming — especially when your child needs care.

But understanding how referrals work gives you more control than you might realise.

👉 In many cases, you don’t have to choose between public and private — you can use both to your advantage.

How to Get a Paediatrician Referral in Australia

Public vs Private Paediatrician in Australia

How to Get a Paediatrician Appointment Faster in Australia

How to get a Developmental Paediatrician appointment in Australia

Andrea .