How to find a GP (doctor) in Australia
What a GP is, how bulk billing works, how to find and book a GP near you, and getting your children's overseas vaccinations recorded.
In short
A GP (general practitioner) is a doctor trained in general practice and is usually your first point of contact for health problems, including children's health and ongoing conditions. Bulk billing means the clinic claims the fee from Medicare, so you pay nothing at the appointment.
What to do
Permanent residents
Find a clinic near home before you need one. Ask whether it bulk bills, so Medicare covers the fee and you pay nothing on the day.
Temporary visa holders
Find a clinic near home before you need one. Bulk billing needs a Medicare enrolment, so if you are not eligible for Medicare, ask the clinic about its fees before you book.
Find clinics near you
Healthdirect's free Service Finder lists GP clinics by location, with contact details, opening hours and billing options. Its guided search lets you look for bulk-billing GPs.
Book online with HotDoc
HotDoc is a website and app (iOS and Android) for finding GPs and other health professionals and booking appointments. Not every clinic uses it, so also check the clinic's own website.
What you need to know
- Your Medicare card, if you have one. Bring it to the appointment so the clinic can bulk bill
- Before you book, ask whether the clinic bulk bills and whether there are any out-of-pocket costs. It is the doctor's choice, and some only bulk bill concession card holders
- If the clinic does not bulk bill, you pay on the day and can claim the Medicare benefit back
- Children: bring their overseas vaccination records in English. The GP can check them against Australia's schedule, give any catch-up doses and add them to the Australian Immunisation Register
Outside opening hours, healthdirect lists after-hours GP services. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics offer bulk-billed care with no appointment or referral needed. In an emergency call 000.
Bulk billing (Services Australia) ↗After-hours health services (healthdirect) ↗Overseas immunisations (Services Australia) ↗