Short answer: No, you don't need a referral to see a chiropractor in Australia. You can book directly. You only need a GP referral if you want to claim a Medicare rebate under a GP care plan, or if you're coming in under DVA. A WorkSafe claim also involves your GP.
Do you need a referral to see a chiropractor? No, here's why
Chiropractors in Australia are registered health practitioners, and you can book an appointment with one directly, the same way you'd book a dentist. There's no need to see anyone else first.
At Mornington Peninsula Chiropractic you can book online in about a minute, or call 03 9787 8518. If you book online through our website, your new patient appointment is $125 instead of $195 (new practice members only, one per person).
When you do need a referral
A referral only matters for funding. Here's when you'll need one:
| Situation | Referral needed? | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Paying yourself or with health fund extras | No | Book directly. Claim on the spot with HICAPS. |
| Medicare GP care plan | Yes, from your GP | Medicare pays $63.40 per eligible visit, up to 5 allied health visits a year |
| DVA (Gold or White Card) | Yes, from your GP | We bill DVA directly for covered care |
| WorkSafe claim | Yes, from your GP | You pay us and claim it back from WorkSafe's agent |
| TAC claim | No | You pay us and claim it back from the TAC |
Referrals for Medicare
To claim a Medicare rebate for chiropractic, you need a GP chronic condition management plan (people still call it a care plan or EPC) and a referral from your GP. Your GP decides whether you're eligible. Generally it's for a condition that has lasted, or is likely to last, six months or more.
With the plan and referral, Medicare pays $63.40 per eligible visit, for up to 5 allied health visits a calendar year, shared across chiro, physio, podiatry and others. You pay us on the day and claim it back, and we send your GP a report. Full detail: can I claim a chiropractor on Medicare? and our Medicare care plans page.
Referrals for DVA, WorkSafe and TAC
- DVA: Gold Card holders, and White Card holders for accepted conditions, need a GP referral. We bill DVA directly, so there's nothing to pay at the desk for covered care. DVA appointments are booked by phone. See DVA.
- WorkSafe: your GP refers you for chiropractic care as part of your claim. You pay us on the day and send your receipts to WorkSafe's agent.
- TAC: no referral needed. You pay us on the day and claim it back through the TAC.
More on both schemes: WorkSafe and TAC.
What to bring to your first visit
- Your online questionnaire. We'll text you the link when you book.
- Your health fund card, if you have extras cover. HICAPS is on the desk.
- Your referral, if you're coming under a Medicare care plan, DVA or WorkSafe.
- Any recent scans or reports. Bring them along or email them through.
If you're coming under a scheme and aren't sure what paperwork you need, call us first and we'll talk you through it.
How we approach this at MPCC
Whether or not you have a referral, your first visit is the same. Your new patient appointment covers your story, posture pictures, and a thorough chiropractic, orthopaedic and neurological check of your spine, joints and nerves. It takes 30 to 40 minutes. If your history and check point to X-rays, we'll refer you, and the imaging clinic we refer to bulk bills X-rays our chiropractors request.
Whether you're adjusted on the first visit is up to the clinical judgement of your chiropractor. Often more testing comes first. At your second visit, the report of findings appointment, we explain what we found in plain English and whether we can help. If we can't, we'll tell you straight.
If you've got a referral or any recent scans, bring them along or email them to mornpenchiro@gmail.com. See what to expect as a new practice member.