Request a Fertility Referral Online

A fertility specialist is a clinician (often a reproductive endocrinologist) who identifies and treats issues concerning conception and reproductive health. They assist individuals and couples facing challenges with conception.

• Attempting to conceive for 12 months without success (or 6 months if over 35) 

• Irregular or missing menstrual periods 

• Known conditions like PCOS and endometriosis 

• Recurrent miscarriages 

• Male fertility issues (low sperm count or motility) 

• History of pelvic infection or surgery 

• Sexual health or hormonal concerns that impact fertility 

• Having difficulty conceiving naturally 

• Abnormal hormone or ovulation test findings 

• Known reproductive health problems 

• Prior cancer treatments impairing fertility 

• Planning assisted reproductive therapies (such as IVF) 

• Need for fertility preservation (e.g., freezing eggs or sperm)

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal disorder affecting ovulation 

• Endometriosis – growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus 

• Male infertility – low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal sperm shape 

• Ovulation disorders – irregular or absent ovulation 

• Tubal blockage – blocked fallopian tubes preventing fertilisation 

• Unexplained infertility – no clear cause despite testing 

In Australia, a GP referral to a fertility specialist is typically valid for 12 months. If a referral is issued by another specialist, it is usually valid for three months. Always check your referral’s validity. 

Online general practitioners can assess your medical history, symptoms, and test results, and if needed, they can refer you to a reproductive specialist, allowing for easier access to treatment. 

Follow-up appointments are often covered within the referral validity period. Long-term fertility treatments, such as IVF, may require updated referrals over time to keep Medicare benefits. 

Some early consultations or public services may be bulk billed, although many fertility doctors and IVF centres are privately owned. This implies that patients frequently face out-of-pocket expenses.

You can certainly ask your GP to refer you to a particular fertility specialist or IVF centre. This is a common practice when choosing a preferred provider or a recommended facility.

Referrals are often addressed to a specific clinic or specialty. It is essential to ask your doctor if your referral can be utilised for both public and private fertility services.

Yes, where appropriate, after-hours GPs and telemedicine services can refer patients to reproductive specialists, providing them with more flexible access to care. 

Hola Health bulk billing after-hours doctor consults are for urgent care and available to Medicare cardholders during these hours only: Weekdays 6pm–7:30am | Saturday 12am–7:30am & from 12pm | Sunday & public holidays: 24 hours. 

• Severe stomach or pelvic pain 

• Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding 

• Fever with vaginal discharge 

• Suspected ectopic pregnancy: severe pelvic pain, dizziness, fainting 

• Signs of ovarian torsion: sudden, acute pelvic pain 

A referral frequently includes consultation. Your general practitioner or fertility specialist may request separate fertility investigations such as hormone blood testing, pelvic ultrasounds, or sperm analysis.

Medicare may pay some of the cost of fertility tests and assisted reproductive treatments. The costs of IVF and related procedures can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses, depending on the clinic and the services selected.