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Get an endocrinologist referral online. Bulk billed

See a GP via telehealth and receive your endocrinology referral letter by email. No out-of-pocket cost for eligible Medicare patients.

When you need an endocrinologist referral

An endocrinologist is a specialist in conditions involving hormones and the glands that produce them — thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary, pancreas (diabetes), and the reproductive endocrine system. Most endocrine conditions are first managed by a GP, and a specialist referral is reserved for complex, atypical, or treatment-resistant cases.

With NewDoc you can get an endocrinology referral online through a bulk billed GP telehealth consultation. Your GP will review your history, order any preliminary pathology that helps the endocrinologist (often a worthwhile step given waitlists), and write the referral letter.

Common reasons for endocrinology referral

Diabetes — type 1 from diagnosis, type 2 when control becomes difficult, when complications emerge (kidney, eye, foot), when starting insulin, or when newer therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists need specialist initiation. See our type 2 diabetes page for what a GP can usually manage.

Thyroid disease — Graves disease, complicated Hashimoto's, hyperthyroidism not responding to antithyroid drugs, suspicious thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer follow-up, and complex hypothyroidism management.

Adrenal disorders (Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, primary aldosteronism), pituitary disorders (prolactinoma, acromegaly, hypopituitarism), calcium and parathyroid disease, osteoporosis requiring specialist management, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with fertility implications, hypogonadism, and gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Preparing for your endocrinology appointment

Endocrinology is heavily test-driven. Bringing recent results (within 3 months) saves time and often avoids repeat testing. Useful baseline tests your GP can order include thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4, thyroid antibodies), HbA1c and fasting glucose, lipid panel, U&E and creatinine, calcium, vitamin D, and sex hormones if relevant to the question. If pituitary disease is suspected, additional hormones (cortisol, prolactin, IGF-1) may be requested.

A symptom diary covering at least 2–4 weeks of relevant symptoms helps the endocrinologist place your concerns in context. For diabetes referrals, bringing your blood glucose log or continuous glucose monitor data is particularly useful. Your GP can also order a DEXA scan if bone health is a question.

What to expect at the endocrinology appointment

The first endocrinology appointment is usually 30–45 minutes for a complex referral. The specialist will review the GP referral, take a detailed history, examine you where relevant (thyroid, skin, signs of hormonal excess or deficiency), review your investigations, and discuss a diagnosis and management plan. Further tests may be ordered — dynamic hormone tests, pituitary MRI, thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration of a nodule — depending on the question. The endocrinologist will write back to your GP with the plan.

Medicare and costs

The GP telehealth consultation to obtain your endocrinologist referral is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients, with no out-of-pocket cost. Any additional referrals for blood tests, DEXA scans, or imaging issued during the same consultation are included at no extra charge. Medicare provides a rebate for endocrinology consultations and most endocrine investigations with a valid referral. The exact gap fee depends on whether the endocrinologist bulk bills (less common in private endocrinology). A standard GP referral is valid for 12 months.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 14 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can I get an endocrinologist referral via telehealth?

Yes. A GP can take a history, review your symptoms and any blood results you already have, order baseline pathology if needed, and issue an endocrinology referral when clinically appropriate. The referral letter is sent electronically.

When should I see an endocrinologist?

Common reasons for endocrinology referral include difficult-to-control type 1 or type 2 diabetes, suspected thyroid disease that's complex or atypical (Graves disease, Hashimoto's with complications, thyroid nodules), adrenal disorders (Cushing's, Addison's), pituitary disorders, calcium or parathyroid problems, suspected hormone imbalance affecting fertility or sexual function, and gender-affirming care.

Do I need a GP referral to see an endocrinologist?

You can see an endocrinologist without a referral, but you won't get a Medicare rebate. With a valid GP referral, Medicare covers a portion of the consultation. A standard referral is valid for 12 months.

What tests might the endocrinologist order?

Common endocrinology investigations include thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4, thyroid antibodies), HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance tests, cortisol levels and dexamethasone suppression tests, sex hormone panels (testosterone, oestradiol, LH, FSH), parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, bone density (DEXA) scans, and pituitary imaging (MRI). Many of these are Medicare-rebated with a valid referral.

Is the GP consultation bulk billed?

Yes, for eligible Medicare patients. The GP telehealth consultation is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. Any additional referrals for blood tests, imaging, or DEXA scans issued during the same consultation are included at no extra charge.

How long does an endocrinology waitlist take in Australia?

Endocrinology waitlists vary by location and urgency. Public hospital endocrinology clinics often have 3–9 month waits; private endocrinology is typically 4–12 weeks for a new patient. Getting your GP referral ready early — even before deciding which endocrinologist to see — lets you get on the waitlist sooner.

Can the GP help me prepare for the endocrinology appointment?

Yes. A NewDoc GP can order baseline pathology (thyroid, HbA1c, lipids, U&E, calcium, vitamin D, sex hormones depending on the question) so the endocrinologist has results ready at your first appointment. This often reduces the need for repeat investigations and speeds up the diagnostic process.

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