Booking a GP

For most Australians, the general practitioner is the front door to the health system. GPs diagnose and treat everyday illnesses and injuries, manage long-term conditions, provide preventive care, and refer you to specialists, hospitals and allied health professionals. The guides in this section help you find a GP who suits you, book the kind of appointment you actually need, prepare so you can make the most of the time, and understand MyMedicare.

The guides in this section

• How to choose a GP: location, hours, billing, services, communication and checking registration on Ahpra's register.
• How to book a GP appointment: phone, online and walk-in options, appointment types and what to tell reception.
• Preparing for your appointment: what to bring, describing symptoms, questions to ask and remembering the plan.
• MyMedicare and your regular GP: what the program is, who can register and how.

The three steps to a good appointment

1. Find the right practice

Think about what matters to you: a practice close to home or work, opening hours that fit your week, a billing policy you can manage, services on site and, above all, a GP who listens and explains things clearly. Ask people you trust, read practice websites, and check doctors on Ahpra's free online Register of Practitioners, which shows registration status and any conditions.

2. Book the right appointment

A standard appointment suits a single, straightforward problem. If you have several concerns, a complex history, a mental health concern or need a procedure, book a longer appointment. Tell reception if it's urgent; many practices keep some appointments free each day. Ask whether the appointment will be bulk billed and, if not, what the fee is.

3. Arrive prepared

Bring your Medicare card, a list of all your medicines and your questions. Think about how to describe your symptoms: when they started, what they feel like and what makes them better or worse. Before you leave, make sure you understand the plan, including any tests, referrals, prescriptions and follow-up.

Plan your visit with our free tool

Our visit planner builds a simple, printable list of what to bring and what to ask, based on the kind of appointment you have. Add your own questions and print it or keep it on your phone. Nothing you type leaves your browser. It's a planning aid, not medical advice.

Why a regular GP matters

Seeing the same GP or practice over time supports continuity of care. Your GP gets to know your history, can track changes, coordinates referrals and helps avoid duplicated tests or conflicting medicines. The Australian Government's MyMedicare program lets you formally register with your regular practice and nominate a preferred GP. According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, registration is free and voluntary, and gives access to some longer telehealth consultations with your registered practice.

Your rights as a patient

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, describes what you can expect when receiving health care. It includes rights to access, safety, respect, partnership in decisions, information (including about costs), privacy, and to give feedback. If something isn't right, see our guide to health complaints.

If it's urgent

Booking guides are for planned care. If you need care today and it isn't life-threatening, see our urgent care section. If you're unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

About the old Patient Appointments

This web address was once home to an online directory for booking appointments at medical centres, which later lapsed. Patient Appointments is now an independent consumer guide with new content. We aren't connected with the previous operator and we don't take bookings.

Booking for someone else

Many people book appointments for children, partners or older relatives. Tell reception who the appointment is for, bring the person's Medicare card and list of medicines, and let the GP speak directly with them where possible. If you need to receive information on someone's behalf, ask whether the practice needs written consent. If English isn't the person's first language, ask the practice to arrange a professional interpreter rather than relying on family, so that medical information is passed on accurately and privately. Carers can find free support through the Australian Government's Carer Gateway.

Keep your own records

Keeping a simple record of conditions, medicines, allergies, vaccinations and the names of your health providers makes every appointment easier, especially with a new GP. You can keep it on paper or on your phone, or use My Health Record through myGov.

How we keep these guides current

We review each guide against official sources and show the date it was last checked. Medicare rules and government programs change, so before relying on any detail, follow the source links on each guide or ask your practice or Services Australia. If you notice something out of date, please tell us through our contact page, and we'll check and correct it.

Five habits for smoother appointments

1. Ask about billing when you book: whether it will be bulk billed and, if not, the fee and the Medicare rebate.
2. Keep an up-to-date list of every medicine you take, including vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter products.
3. Write your questions down and put the most important one first.
4. Confirm the plan before you leave: tests, referrals, prescriptions, follow-up and warning signs.
5. Know your options for urgent care, including healthdirect on 1800 022 222, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 000 for emergencies.

About these guides

Patient Appointments is an independent information site. We aren't a medical practice, booking platform, government agency or health insurer, we don't give medical advice, and no practice pays to appear in our guides. We don't publish fees or rebate amounts. We write every guide in our own words and list the official sources we used, such as Services Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, healthdirect, Ahpra and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Rules and programs change, so check current details with your practice and the relevant agency. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).