GP Referral for Breast Reduction in Australia
Cosmetic breast reduction requires a GP referral under AHPRA's 2023 guidelines. However, breast reduction is one procedure where Medicare rebates may apply — depending on whether there is a documented medical indication.
Who can refer me for breast reduction?
Any AHPRA-registered GP or non-cosmetic specialist can provide the referral. The referral cannot come from the operating doctor's own clinic — this is a deliberate safeguard introduced in the 2023 AHPRA reforms. Your usual GP is the preferred path, as they know your medical history.
What to expect at the GP consultation
Your GP will assess your health and discuss your reasons for seeking breast reduction. If you have documented symptoms such as chronic neck/back/shoulder pain, skin irritation, or nerve symptoms attributable to breast size, this may support a Medicare-eligible referral pathway.
The consultation is confidential. A referral does not commit you to proceeding with surgery.
What it costs
GP consultation: $0–$90. Telehealth services: $24.99–$49.95. Note: If Medicare covers part of the surgical cost, it is worth seeing your own GP who knows your history.
Your referral options
Comparative Assessment
Cosmetic Surgery GP Referral Services — Australia
Last verified:
June 2026
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
Your own GP AHPRA preferred | $0–$90 Bulk-billed possible; Medicare rebate may apply |
| $24.99 | |
| From $39.95 | |
| $39.90 | |
| From $49 Standard listed referrals (skin/eye/colonoscopy) $24; cosmetic requires Telehealth Consult from $49 | |
| Standard fees apply No Medicare rebates offered. Verify current pricing directly with provider. |
AHPRA preferred
Bulk-billed possible; Medicare rebate may apply
Business hours (varies) · In person or telehealth
AHPRA-preferred path. GP knows your medical history. Possible Medicare rebate if bulk-billed.
8am–midnight, 365 days · Phone/video consult; instant PDF download if approved
Lowest-priced dedicated cosmetic referral service found at time of verification.
6am–midnight daily · Questionnaire + practitioner call
Specific pages for cosmetic surgeon and plastic surgeon referrals.
6am–midnight AEDT · Phone consult; ~1 hour turnaround claimed
18+ only. General specialist referral service; not cosmetic-specific.
Standard listed referrals (skin/eye/colonoscopy) $24; cosmetic requires Telehealth Consult from $49
24/7 · Phone consult
Wesfarmers-owned. Cosmetic surgery referrals not explicitly listed; would require a general telehealth consultation.
No Medicare rebates offered. Verify current pricing directly with provider.
Verify with provider · Questionnaire + phone or video consult with Australian-registered practitioner
NIB-affiliated. Complete pre-screening questionnaire, then book a consult. Referral issued if assessed as clinically appropriate. No Medicare rebates.
Important: All referrals are issued only if an AHPRA-registered practitioner assesses them as clinically appropriate. A referral is not a recommendation of surgery or any practitioner. Prices verified June 2026 — verify directly with each provider before booking.
After the referral: what to expect
A GP referral allows you to book the first of two mandatory consultations with the operating doctor. Under AHPRA's 2023 guidelines:
- A minimum of two consultations with the operating doctor are required
- The operating doctor must conduct psychological/BDD screening
- After you provide written consent, a 7-day cooling-off period applies before surgery can be scheduled
- You can withdraw consent at any time without penalty
Frequently asked questions
Yes — the GP referral requirement applies to all cosmetic surgical procedures, including breast reduction, since 1 July 2023.
Potentially, if there is a documented medical indication such as chronic pain, postural problems, or skin conditions caused by breast size. This is separate from purely cosmetic breast reduction. Your GP can assess whether your circumstances meet the Medicare eligibility criteria.
If there is any chance Medicare may apply to your procedure, seeing your own GP — who knows your history and can document any symptoms over time — is strongly recommended over a telehealth service. A telehealth service can issue a standard cosmetic referral, but establishing a Medicare-eligible medical indication is better done with a GP who knows you.