Psychiatrist referral online

You can discuss a psychiatrist referral online with a Doccio doctor, who will review your concerns and decide whether specialist input is appropriate. This is a referral consultation, not a psychiatrist appointment or psychiatric diagnosis. Consultations cost $59 during business hours or $79 after hours, with psychiatrist fees charged separately.

Doccio offers online consultations with AHPRA-registered doctors to discuss your concerns and assess whether a psychiatrist referral is appropriate. Your doctor considers your symptoms, previous care, relevant records and any need for more urgent support.

This is a referral consultation, not an appointment with a psychiatrist. Doccio does not provide a psychiatric diagnosis or specialist treatment through this service, and referral approval is not automatic.

Consultations cost $59 during business hours or $79 after hours. The psychiatrist's fees are separate.

Discuss a psychiatrist referral

When might a psychiatrist referral help?

A psychiatrist is a medical specialist who assesses and treats mental health conditions. A referring doctor may recommend psychiatric input when a diagnosis is unclear, symptoms are significantly affecting your life, treatment has not helped enough or care has become more complex. RANZCP Your Health in Mind: Your first appointment

Reasons for discussing a referral may include persistent mood or anxiety symptoms, concerns about possible ADHD, difficulties with an existing treatment plan or a request for a second opinion. The appropriate service depends on your circumstances. Some concerns are best managed initially by your usual doctor or another mental health professional.

You can describe what has changed without labelling it. For example, “I have stopped managing work and I am not sleeping” gives the doctor a starting point. Include how long this has been happening, what you have tried and what support you have around you.

For an explanation of the specialist's role, read what a psychiatrist does.

Seeking an ADHD psychiatrist

If your main concern is possible ADHD, tell the doctor when your difficulties began and how they affect work, study, relationships or daily tasks. Bring any previous assessments or relevant treatment history.

An “ADHD psychiatrist” is a psychiatrist whose practice includes ADHD assessment and care; it is worth checking that the clinician assesses your age group and is accepting new patients. Not every psychiatry practice offers this service.

Ask whether the clinic provides diagnostic assessment only, assessment with management recommendations, or ongoing treatment. If you hope to discuss medication, clarify the clinic's role before booking. Neither a referral nor an assessment guarantees a diagnosis or prescription.

Our ADHD referral page explains this pathway in more detail. Doccio's role is to assess your referral needs; the receiving clinician makes their own diagnostic and treatment decisions.

How can I get a psychiatrist referral online?

Tell us why you are seeking specialist advice

Explain your main concerns and any existing appointment arrangements. Include the psychiatrist's details and referral instructions if you have already found a clinic. Tell the doctor if this is a first referral, a request for continuing care or a transfer from another clinician.

Have a clinical discussion

Your doctor reviews the information available and asks about symptoms, previous diagnoses, treatment, physical health and safety. They may need records from another clinician to prepare a useful referral. If a physical examination or urgent assessment is needed, they will explain the next step.

Receive a referral if appropriate

A useful letter explains the reason for specialist input and relevant background. It can help the receiving clinic decide whether the service fits your needs and how the request should be prioritised. It is not simply a document confirming that you want an appointment.

Contact the psychiatrist's practice

Check that the clinic has received your referral, whether it has been accepted and what happens next. You may need to complete intake forms or provide further records. The practice sets appointment availability and fees independently of Doccio.

What information should I bring?

Prepare a current medication list, including medicines you have stopped recently and any supplements. If previous treatments caused side effects or were not helpful, explain what happened. You do not have to remember every detail; existing reports can fill in gaps.

Other useful information includes:

• Previous psychiatrist or psychologist letters.
• Relevant hospital discharge summaries and investigation results.
• Your existing referral, if you are asking about ongoing care.
• The receiving clinic's name and booking requirements.
• A short account of current symptoms and their practical impact.
• Questions you want the specialist to address.

If you are transferring care, ask whether the new clinic needs a transfer letter from your previous psychiatrist as well as a referral. These documents serve different purposes: one requests specialist input, while the other helps explain the treatment already provided.

What paperwork will I need?

A standard psychiatrist referral and a mental health treatment plan are different documents. A mental health treatment plan is used within specific Medicare pathways for eligible psychological care. It is not generally the document used in place of a medical referral for a standard psychiatrist consultation.

Tell your doctor exactly what the receiving clinic has requested. Do not assume that a psychology referral, an assessment report and a psychiatrist referral are interchangeable. If you have been asked to obtain a particular document, bring the instructions rather than booking on the basis of its name alone.

See Services Australia's mental health care information for an overview of supported pathways. Services Australia: Mental health care and Medicare

How long does a psychiatrist referral last?

For a standard GP referral, the usual period is 12 months from the first specialist attendance, unless another period is specified. Some patients need a longer or indefinite referral for ongoing care. A new or unrelated condition can require a new referral even where an indefinite referral exists.

These are referral rules, not a promise that every clinic will accept an old letter without updated clinical information. If you have waited a long time or your circumstances have changed, ask whether the psychiatrist needs an update.

Services Australia explains referral periods. For the practical differences between having a referral and paying privately without one, read whether you need a psychiatrist referral. Services Australia: Referrals for specialist treatment

What should I know about costs and waiting times?

Doccio charges $59 for a referral consultation during business hours: 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, Sydney time, excluding public holidays. The after-hours fee is $79, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. See current pricing.

This fee covers the referral assessment. It does not include your psychiatrist's consultation, an assessment report, medicines or follow-up appointments.

Psychiatrists set their own fees. Before booking, request the total consultation charge, the expected Medicare rebate if eligible and the gap you would pay. Ask about report charges, deposits and cancellation terms as well. RANZCP Your Health in Mind: Cost to see a psychiatrist (Australia)

A valid referral is generally needed to claim Medicare benefits for eligible private specialist care. Eligibility also depends on the service and applicable requirements. Having a referral does not mean every part of an assessment package is covered, and it does not guarantee bulk billing.

Waiting for an appointment

Waiting times depend on the clinician, location, type of assessment and clinical urgency. Doccio cannot guarantee acceptance into a practice or move you ahead of its waiting list.

Ask a potential clinic whether it is accepting referrals, when the first suitable appointment is available and whether it has a cancellation list. If telehealth is offered, check whether the clinician can see you in your state or territory and how any necessary in-person checks will be arranged.

Keep your usual doctor involved while you wait. A specialist referral should not leave you without a plan for worsening symptoms, existing medicines or day-to-day support.

Our psychiatry partner

Doccio works with SetMind, an Australian online psychiatry practice for adults. SetMind provides ADHD assessments, depression and anxiety reviews, medication reviews and diagnostic clarification by telehealth, Australia-wide.

If your Doccio doctor decides a referral is appropriate, they can address it to SetMind or to another clinic you prefer — the choice is always yours. SetMind's psychiatrists review the referral information, use validated questionnaires and, where available, collateral history before reaching any diagnosis. They can also prepare a shared-care plan so your ongoing care stays with your regular GP.

SetMind sets its own fees, which are separate from Doccio's consultation fee, and confirms the exact fee and any Medicare rebate in writing before you book. A referral does not guarantee a rebate, bulk billing or a particular wait time — ask the clinic for current availability when you make contact.

Doccio does not receive a payment when you attend SetMind, and you are free to take your referral to any provider.

Where to go next

A routine referral consultation is not an emergency mental health service.

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Lifeline: Lifeline crisis support - 13 11 14

For a non-urgent discussion about specialist care, book a Doccio referral consultation.

Read about our psychiatrist referral requirements or start a Doccio referral consultation.