Information for GPs, aged care providers, and patients to share with their referring doctor.
You'll need a referral from your GP before booking with Telecare. Here's how to make that conversation easy.
Tell your GP you'd like a geriatric or geriatric psychiatry assessment via telehealth with a specialist at Telecare.
Share this page or the PDF below with them — it has everything they need to write your referral.
Ask your GP to address the referral to "Telecare Geriatrician" or "Telecare Geriatric Psychiatrist" — no named specialist required.
Once you have your referral, submit it at geriatric.telecare.com.au.
The following information is for GPs and healthcare professionals
Telecare provides specialist geriatric and geriatric psychiatry assessments via telehealth across Australia. We operate a shared care model — we handle the specialist assessment and deliver a detailed clinical report; your patient returns to you for ongoing management. Available Australia-wide, bulk billed for Medicare patients in regional and remote areas (MMM2–MMM7).
A trusted specialist geriatric telehealth pathway, available Australia-wide.
Everything your patient needs for a smooth referral process.
If you give the referral letter directly to your patient or their carer, they can upload it at geriatric.telecare.com.au. If you send it to Telecare directly, your patient does not need to upload it.
A guide to patient suitability for our telehealth service.
From referral to clinical report — here's the full journey.
Once received, our team reviews your referral and contacts the patient or a nominated family member or carer by SMS, phone, or email to schedule a convenient telehealth appointment.
The patient, carer, or aged care staff member receives appointment details and any preparation notes. We aim to connect your patient within approximately 4 weeks of receiving the referral.
A geriatric or geriatric psychiatry assessment is conducted via secure telehealth video call. Family members, carers, and aged care staff are welcome to attend and participate — their involvement is particularly valuable for patients with cognitive difficulties.
A detailed report with clinical findings, diagnosis where applicable, and management recommendations is sent directly to you as the referring GP.
You use the specialist report to guide prescribing, further referrals, allied health coordination, and ongoing care planning for your patient.
After assessment, you receive a comprehensive clinical report.
You remain the ongoing treating GP. Our specialist provides the clinical recommendation and report to guide your management.
A printable one-page summary — suitable for GPs to keep on file, or for patients to email to their doctor.
For GPs and healthcare professionals
Yes — Telecare Geriatric Services are bulk billed for Medicare patients located in regional and remote areas (MMM2–MMM7). There are no out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Please ensure your referral includes the patient's Medicare card details.
After receiving your referral, our team will contact your patient or their family within 2 business days to schedule an appointment. We aim to have your patient seen within approximately 4 weeks of receiving the referral. Following the assessment, a clinical report is typically sent to you within 1–2 weeks.
Yes — if your patient has both medical and psychiatric or behavioural concerns, you can address a single referral to both 'Telecare Geriatrician and Telecare Geriatric Psychiatrist.' Our team will review the referral and match your patient with the most appropriate specialist, or arrange separate appointments if both are clinically indicated.
Yes. Telecare telehealth appointments can be attended from any location with a device and internet connection — including residential aged care facilities, nursing homes, supported living environments, or the patient's home. Aged care facility staff can assist with setup if needed.
Let them know that they will be contacted by our team within 2 business days of us receiving your referral, and that they should expect a telehealth appointment within approximately 4 weeks. It is helpful to have a family member or carer available for the appointment, particularly for patients with cognitive difficulties. All they need is a device with a camera and internet connection.
This is common and we are well prepared for it. We recommend that a family member, carer, or aged care staff member be present to assist with setting up the appointment. Our administration team is also happy to walk carers through the process when the appointment is booked. The appointment can be attended from an aged care facility with staff support if needed.
Yes — our team is happy to discuss patient suitability before you submit a referral. Please call us on (03) 9034 9950 or email admin@telecare.com.au. This is particularly encouraged for complex or highly comorbid presentations.
Review appointments can be requested via a new GP referral addressed to the same Telecare specialist your patient saw previously. Please include a note referencing the original assessment date and the reason for review. Contact our team at admin@telecare.com.au if you need assistance coordinating this.
Still have questions? Contact Us
This is not an emergency or crisis service. All appointments are booked in advance. For patients experiencing a mental health emergency, please refer to 000 or your local mental health triage service.