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Get a pain specialist referral online. Bulk billed

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

When you need a pain specialist referral

A pain medicine physician (pain specialist) is a doctor with advanced training in the assessment and management of complex and chronic pain. Most acute and short-term pain is managed by a GP or by the relevant body-system specialist (orthopaedic, rheumatologist, neurologist). A pain specialist comes in when standard treatment isn't enough and a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to pain is needed.

With NewDoc you can get a pain specialist referral online through a bulk billed GP telehealth consultation. Your GP will review your pain history and what has been tried, order any relevant imaging if it's not already done, and write the referral letter.

Common reasons for pain specialist referral

Chronic back pain not responding to GP-led treatment and physiotherapy. Persistent neuropathic pain (post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, post-surgical nerve pain). Failed back surgery syndrome. Cancer pain requiring complex medication management. Severe and disabling fibromyalgia. Phantom limb pain. Chronic pelvic pain in women (often co-managed with gynaecology). Chronic widespread pain associated with significant functional impairment.

Pain specialist input is also helpful when long-term opioid therapy is being considered, is being weaned, or has reached its safe upper limit — the specialist can plan opioid-sparing approaches and access procedures or therapies not available in primary care.

Preparing for your pain specialist appointment

Pain specialist appointments are detailed. Bring a complete list of every medication you have tried for the pain (drug, dose, duration, response, side effects), every allied health practitioner you have seen (physiotherapist, psychologist, exercise physiologist), and any imaging or specialist reports.

A pain diary covering 2–4 weeks helps — pain intensity through the day, what flares and eases it, sleep quality, mood, and how the pain affects daily function. Pain specialists place a heavy emphasis on function (what activities you can and can't do), not just the pain score.

What to expect at the pain specialist appointment

The first pain specialist consultation is typically 60–90 minutes. The doctor will take a full pain history, examine the relevant body region, review your medications and imaging, and discuss a comprehensive plan. That plan often combines medication adjustments, interventional procedures (nerve blocks, joint injections, radiofrequency procedures, in selected cases spinal cord stimulators), and referrals to allied health with chronic-pain training. The aim is to improve function and quality of life, not necessarily to eliminate the pain.

Medicare and costs

The GP telehealth consultation to obtain your pain specialist referral is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients, with no out-of-pocket cost. Public pain clinic appointments at major Australian hospitals are bulk billed but waitlists are long (often 6–18 months for non-urgent referrals). Private pain medicine clinics are typically faster but usually carry a gap fee. A standard GP referral is valid for 12 months.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 14 May 2026. Editorial policy

Ready to see a GP?

Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult in under 2 minutes — $0 with Medicare if eligible.

Or call 0481 615 998

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a pain specialist referral via telehealth?

Yes. A GP can review your pain history, current treatments, response to previous management, and issue a pain medicine specialist referral when GP-led management has not provided adequate relief or when complex pain assessment is needed.

When should I see a pain specialist?

A referral to a pain specialist (pain medicine physician) is typically appropriate for chronic pain that has lasted more than 3–6 months despite standard treatment, neuropathic pain not responding to first-line therapy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), failed back surgery syndrome, post-surgical chronic pain, cancer pain requiring specialist management, and severe fibromyalgia with poor function.

What's the difference between a pain specialist and a rheumatologist?

Rheumatologists treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus). Pain specialists focus on the management of chronic pain itself — including pain caused by other conditions. There's some overlap with fibromyalgia, where both specialties may be involved.

Do I need a GP referral to see a pain specialist?

Yes, in practice you do — pain specialist clinics in Australia generally only accept patients with a GP or specialist referral, and a referral is required to claim a Medicare rebate. A standard referral is valid for 12 months.

What does a pain specialist actually do?

Pain medicine physicians use a combination of approaches: medication review and optimisation (including reducing opioid use where appropriate), interventional procedures (nerve blocks, radiofrequency neurotomy, spinal cord stimulators in selected cases), and coordination with allied health (pain psychologists, physiotherapists with chronic-pain training, occupational therapists). The aim is improved function, not just pain reduction.

Can my GP keep prescribing my pain medication while I wait?

Yes, in most cases — your GP can continue prescribing existing pain medication during the wait for a pain specialist appointment. Schedule 8 controlled drugs (opioids, some other restricted substances) have additional requirements; depending on the State or Territory and the duration of use, an authority or specialist input may be needed before continued prescription.

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 imaging, pathology, allied health, or pain-specialist input issued during the same consultation are included at no extra charge.

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