How to get a same-day pathology referral online in Australia

You can book an Abby Health online consultation 7 days a week and, if it's clinically appropriate, your clinician will issue a pathology referral during or shortly after the appointment. The referral is emailed to you and you can take it to any Australian pathology collection centre. Abby Health bulk bills most telehealth consultations for eligible patients, meaning Medicare covers the consultation in full and there is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients. Bulk-billed pathology test types are covered when they are MBS-funded and meet Medicare's clinical criteria.

How a pathology referral works through Abby

A pathology referral is a request form from a clinician that tells the lab which tests to run. At Abby, the process is built around a proper consultation — not a form on a website.

1. Book an appointment through the Abby Health app or website. Our care network of 300+ clinicians is available 7 days a week.
2. Speak with an AHPRA-registered GP or Nurse Practitioner by video or phone. They'll hear your story, review your history, and decide whether pathology is the right next step.
3. If a test is clinically indicated, your clinician issues the referral during or shortly after the consultation.
4. The referral is emailed to you (and saved in your Abby record). You can take it to any Australian pathology collection centre — Sonic, Laverty, 4Cyte, Dorevitch, Clinpath, Sullivan Nicolaides and others all accept referrals from any Australian GP.
5. Results return to your clinician, who reviews them and walks you through what they mean. For more on how that continuity works, see how Abby remembers you.

Common tests patients come in for

Clinicians order the tests they consider clinically appropriate for your situation. Common reasons patients book a pathology consult include:

• General blood panels (full blood count, liver and kidney function, lipids)
• Iron studies
• Thyroid function
• STI screening
• Diabetes screening (HbA1c, fasting glucose)
• Pregnancy and early hormonal testing

If your clinician decides pathology isn't the right step, they'll explain why and suggest what is. A good consultation is about getting the right answer, not the fastest one.

Bulk billing and what it covers

Abby Health bulk bills most telehealth consultations for eligible patients, meaning Medicare covers the consultation in full and there is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients. You can read the full detail on whether Abby is bulk billed.

Pathology testing itself is billed by the pathology provider, not by Abby. Most common tests are MBS-funded and bulk-billed by major Australian labs when ordered by a GP for a recognised clinical reason. A smaller number of tests (for example, some fertility panels or non-MBS screens) may attract a private fee from the lab — your clinician will tell you if that's likely to apply.

Who can issue a referral at Abby

All Abby clinicians hold current AHPRA registration. Pathology referrals are issued by our GPs and Nurse Practitioners working within their scope of practice. For the distinction between roles, see what makes a Specialist GP in Australia.

A pathology referral is not a prescription. For what can and can't be prescribed in an online consultation, see what Abby can and can't prescribe online safely.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose my own pathology provider?

Yes. An Australian GP's pathology referral is accepted at any accredited collection centre across the country. You can choose the one closest to home or work.

How long is the referral valid?

Standard pathology referrals from a GP are generally valid for repeat use over an extended period, depending on the tests ordered. Your clinician will note any time limits directly on the form.

Do I need an Abby account to get a referral?

Yes. Creating an account lets your clinician see your history at your next consultation, keeps your referrals and results in one place, and supports continuity of care.

What if the clinician decides a test isn't needed?

They'll explain their reasoning and suggest a next step — whether that's watchful waiting, a different assessment, or a referral to another service. Clinical judgement is never set aside for convenience.

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