What is a General Practitioner

When you’re living overseas, it’s important to know where to go if you feel unwell. 

A general practitioner, also known as a GP, is a type of doctor in Australia. They are often the first place to turn to if you need medical help. 

General practitioners in Australia may diagnose your illness or injury and can prescribe medicine to treat your condition. You can purchase these medications at a pharmacy using the prescription from your doctor. To understand why you are feeling unwell, your doctor may send you for further examinations, such as blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds. 

For serious concerns, your general practitioner can refer you to a different doctor who is an expert in that area. These are called specialists. A specialist will create a treatment plan with you and report back to your general practitioner.

Doctors and specialists may charge different fees depending on the services they provide. Similarly, what’s covered by Allianz Care Australia also varies based on who you see, which services they provide and which policy you hold. Learn more about what OSHC covers and what OVHC covers. 

Note: Budget Workers and Budget Visitors OVHC policies do not cover GPs or specialists.

If you can’t get to a doctor, don’t worry – Allianz Care Australia has a telehealth service which allows you to speak to a doctor by phone or video anytime. Access to this service is available for OSHC and OVHC members, excluding Budget Working cover and Budget Visitors cover.

Hospitals are only for emergencies. An emergency is a serious illness or injury that poses an immediate risk to your life or long-term wellbeing.

If you are in a medical emergency, call 000 immediately for an ambulance, or go directly to your nearest hospital.

Read more about identifying medical emergencies and getting medical help.

It’s a good idea to find a doctor when you first arrive. It can sometimes take a little while to find a general practitioner who meets your exact needs, so preparing ahead and knowing your preferred doctor can make it easier to know who to call if you need medical help. 

Firstly, it’s important to find a doctor who is registered. Every general practitioner in Australia must be registered to practice. This helps ensure only trained and qualified individuals can provide health care. 

The register is managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can check your practitioner’s registration by using the search tool on the medical board website. 

You also may wish to find a doctor who has certain attributes. For example, you might be more comfortable receiving treatment from a female doctor, or you may prefer to find a general practitioner who can treat you in your language. 

You can usually find this information by visiting the website of your chosen medical practice. There, you’ll often find information on each general practitioner, including any specialties, areas of interest and languages spoken. If you’re unsure, you can always contact the practice directly by phone or email to ask.  

Of course, it’s also a great idea to find a doctor who is covered by your health insurance.

Allianz Care Australia has an extensive network of medical centres and doctors that offer direct-billing services.

Using our network of providers makes it easier for you to claim when you visit a doctor. All you need to do is provide your valid membership card and the doctor will bill us directly for the covered amount of your bill.

So, when choosing your general practitioner, make sure you find a doctor that specifies they can direct bill.