We accept referrals via medical objects, healthlink, email or fax. Secure messaging is preferred.
Specialist Referral Form:
Download Referral Form
EEG Referral Form:
Download EEG Request Form
To meet Medicare requirements, referrals must be addressed to a specific specialist, such as “Paediatrician” or “Psychiatrist”-not “Dear Doctor”
After we have received the referral, we will contact the parents/carers and arrange an appointment.
If the referral is urgent, please note this on the referral. Our doctors are also happy to discuss urgent referrals by phone. We will do our best to accommodate urgent appointments whenever possible.
Please note: The information below applies to referrals for medical specialists only. This includes:
Paediatricians
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists
Paediatric Neurologist
To see one of our medical specialists, please speak with your General Practitioner (GP) or current medical specialist. Your GP should refer you to a type of specialist (e.g. Paediatrician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, or Paediatric Neurologist) it is not necessary to name a specific doctor. However, for a referral to be valid, it must clearly state the type of specialist you are being referred to.
Once we receive the referral, it will be reviewed by our medical team. Please allow up to 2 weeks for this review to be completed. During this time, we kindly ask that you do not contact the clinic to follow up, as this allows us to process all referrals as efficiently as possible.
We will contact you via phone or email once the referral has been reviewed to let you know the outcome.
If the referral is accepted, we will offer you the next available appointment. A deposit of 50% of the appointment cost is required at the time of booking to secure your appointment.
If you have any custody arrangements in place, our team will request relevant court orders and a brief summary of how these arrangements affect medical appointments, to be provided at the time of booking.
Current Waiting Times
Paediatrics – approximately 6 weeks
Paediatric Neurology – reserved space for urgent appointments, approximately 4 months for non-urgent appointments
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – approximately 4 months
Urgent appointments – available where appropriate; please ensure the referring doctor clearly marks the referral as urgent
Appointments with a Medical Specialist (Paediatrician, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Paediatric Neurologist)
Initial consultations are typically up to 60 minutes in length and require both the child or young person and their parent(s) to attend. A fee schedule, including information about Medicare rebates (where applicable), will be provided at the time of booking.
Review appointments are usually 30 minutes long and can be conducted via telehealth if preferred.
If we are unable to accept the referral, we will do our best to suggest alternative providers. In some cases, you may need to return to your GP to explore other options.
Please note: The information below applies to referrals for allied health clinicians only.
We welcome enquiries and referrals for our allied health services. As part of our intake process, each referral is carefully reviewed to determine whether our team is the right fit for your family’s needs. This helps ensure we can provide the most appropriate support for your child. Please allow up to 2 weeks for our team to complete this review.
If your referral is accepted, we will contact you to discuss the next steps. If we feel our team is not the best fit for the needs of you or your family, we will do our best to suggest alternative professionals who may be able to help.
Current Waiting Times
Assessments
We are currently accepting new clients for assessments, including:
· ADHD assessments
· Autism assessments
· Language assessments
· Cognitive and learning assessments
We aim to offer rapid access for assessment referrals.
Therapy Services
· Dietitian – Accepting new clients with no wait time.
· Psychologists – Current wait times vary – we have some immediate appointments available and some psychologists have lengthy waiting lists.
· Speech Pathologist – Currently able to complete assessments only however not able to accept new therapy clients.
If you prefer not to join a therapy waiting list, we can provide a list of practices in the community that may have earlier availability. Practices on these lists are not recommendations as we cannot know all other therapists, they are simply options for other practices that may be offering sooner therapy appointments.
Making a Referral
To submit a referral or enquiry, please email us at admin@thebrainybunch.com.au or enquire through our website with:
· Name and age of client
· The nature of the referral or enquiry (assessment or therapy)
· A brief description of the reason you are seeking help
· The allied health professional you would like to see
· Any relevant documentation, such as a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan, or previous medical documentation.
NDIS Clients
While our psychologists and allied health clinicians are not registered NDIS providers, we are able to accept self-managed clients. Plan-managed care packages may be accepted occasionally, depending on the circumstances. It is important that you advise our team at the first point of contact if you have NDIS funding.
Email: admin@thebrainybunch.com.au
Phone: (07) 3846 4554
Fax: (07) 3846 4560
HOW TO
To begin psychological therapy or an assessment
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist for therapy or assessment. However, Medicare rebates are available for those who have a Mental Health Care Plan. To obtain a Mental Health Care Plan, you will need to visit your GP or a Psychiatrist or a Paediatrician. Medicare rebates are not offered for assessments.
To book an appointment with a Paediatrician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Paediatric Neurologist
For an appointment with one of our medical specialists, please see your General Practitioner (GP) or current medical specialist and discuss a referral to our service. A referral from a GP or medical specialist is required, and once this has been received, our team will be in contact with you.
To begin speech therapy or a language assessment
You do not need a referral to see a speech pathologist for an assessment or therapy. However, Medicare rebates may be available for those who have a Chronic Disease GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement. You will need to speak with your GP to determine if you are eligible for referral under these schemes. Medicare referrals are also available under a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder or other eligible disability (including Autism) scheme. Speak to your child’s GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for a referral under this scheme.
HAVE A QUESTION?
For enquiries or to book an appointment, please email admin@thebrainybunch.com.au or call (07) 3846 4554. Alternatively, you can complete the contact form below, and one of our reception team will be in touch to answer your query or book an appointment.