NewDocLog in

Get a rheumatologist referral online. Bulk billed

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

When you need a rheumatologist referral

A rheumatologist is a specialist in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases of the joints, muscles, tendons, and connective tissues. Most muscle and joint symptoms have non-inflammatory causes (mechanical strain, osteoarthritis) and can be managed by a GP. A rheumatology referral is for suspected inflammatory or autoimmune disease, or complex established disease needing specialist management.

With NewDoc you can get a rheumatology referral online through a bulk billed GP telehealth consultation. Your GP will take a history of your symptoms, order baseline inflammatory and autoimmune pathology, arrange any helpful imaging, and write the referral letter.

Common reasons for rheumatology referral

Suspected rheumatoid arthritis (multiple symmetrical small-joint swelling, morning stiffness over 30 minutes, positive RF or anti-CCP), psoriatic arthritis (joint pain in a person with psoriasis or psoriatic nail changes), ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies (chronic inflammatory back pain, especially in patients under 45), systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and other connective-tissue diseases, vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica (sudden bilateral shoulder and hip-girdle pain with stiffness in older patients).

Other rheumatology referrals include difficult-to-control gout (especially with tophi or kidney involvement), severe or treatment-resistant fibromyalgia, osteoporosis requiring infusion therapy or pre-existing fracture management, and unclear joint pain with positive autoimmune markers needing diagnostic clarification.

Preparing for your rheumatology appointment

Rheumatology is heavily history-and-test-driven. A symptom diary covering at least 2–4 weeks helps — which joints, morning stiffness duration, swelling, rash, mouth ulcers, Raynaud's, fatigue, and family history of autoimmune disease. Photos of swollen joints or rashes taken at the time are useful.

Useful baseline tests your GP can order include full blood count, CRP, ESR, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, ANA, ENA, uric acid, vitamin D, calcium, HLA-B27 (for suspected spondyloarthritis), and X-rays of affected joints. Having these results before the rheumatology appointment shortens the diagnostic loop.

What to expect at the rheumatology appointment

The first rheumatology consultation is typically 45–60 minutes. The specialist will take a detailed history, examine your joints (looking for tenderness, swelling, deformity, range of motion), examine for systemic features (rash, mucosal ulcers, Raynaud's), review your labs and imaging, and discuss the differential diagnosis. Further tests — joint ultrasound, MRI, joint aspiration, more specific autoimmune serology — may be ordered. Disease-modifying therapy (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, biologics) is generally initiated by rheumatology with ongoing co-management from your GP.

Medicare and costs

The GP telehealth consultation to obtain your rheumatology referral is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients, with no out-of-pocket cost. Pathology and imaging referrals issued during the same consultation are included at no extra charge from the GP side. Public rheumatology clinic appointments are bulk billed but waitlists are long; private rheumatology typically carries 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 rheumatologist referral via telehealth?

Yes. A GP can take a joint and inflammatory-symptom history, order baseline pathology (FBC, CRP, ESR, autoimmune serology), arrange imaging if appropriate, and issue a rheumatology referral when clinically indicated.

When should I see a rheumatologist?

Common reasons for rheumatology referral include suspected rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (or other spondyloarthropathy), systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, fibromyalgia (when GP management isn't enough), osteoporosis requiring specialist input, treatment-resistant gout, and any persistent joint inflammation with positive autoimmune markers.

Do I need a GP referral to see a rheumatologist?

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

What investigations might the rheumatologist need?

Helpful baseline tests include full blood count, CRP and ESR (inflammatory markers), rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies, ANA (antinuclear antibodies) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), uric acid (for gout), vitamin D, calcium, and HLA-B27 (for spondyloarthritis). Imaging of affected joints — X-rays first, MRI or ultrasound depending on the question — is often ordered. Bone density (DEXA) scans for osteoporosis.

How is rheumatoid arthritis different from osteoarthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the joint lining (synovium), commonly involving multiple small joints symmetrically (hands, wrists, feet), with morning stiffness lasting over an hour and systemic symptoms. Osteoarthritis is mechanical wear-and-tear cartilage degeneration, usually affecting weight-bearing joints (knees, hips) and large joints used heavily, with morning stiffness under 30 minutes. RA needs rheumatology input; osteoarthritis is usually managed by GP and physiotherapy.

How long is the rheumatology waitlist?

Public rheumatology clinic waits in Australia commonly run 6–12 months for non-urgent referrals; private rheumatology is typically 6–16 weeks for a new patient. Suspected inflammatory arthritis (early rheumatoid arthritis, early spondyloarthritis) should ideally be assessed within 6–12 weeks, as early treatment improves long-term outcomes — your GP can flag urgency in the 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 referrals for blood tests, imaging, or DEXA scans issued during the same consultation are included at no extra charge.

Other services