Frequently asked questions.

No. GP appointments do not require a referral.

Yes. Specialist consultations at Excelsia Specialists Centre require a GP referral for the Medicare rebate to apply. Your usual GP or one of ours can prepare it. Without a valid referral in place, the consultation is fully private.

Yes, at Earlwood Medical Centre only. Saturday hours are 9am to 3pm. Bangor and Sans Souci are closed on weekends.

Yes. Every SMSG practitioner is bookable through Automed. Continuity of care is better if you see the same GP consistently, but if your regular GP isn't available, another SMSG GP can see you and access your file.

Please give at least 24 hours' notice where possible. Cancellation policies vary by appointment type. Procedural, specialist, and cosmetic appointments have stricter cancellation terms because they hold longer slots. Late cancellations or non-attendance may attract a fee.

Call reception at the centre most convenient for you. Reception can match you to the right practitioner for what you're seeing us about.

Yes, for eligible appointments. Bulk billing generally applies to routine standard consultations with our registrar GPs and some other GPs, to eligible ongoing patients seen within the last twelve months, and to health assessments and GP Chronic Condition Management Plans. See our Fees & Billing page for the full framework.

You can still see any SMSG practitioner. Private fees apply. Reception will confirm the specific fee before your appointment.

Yes. Some practitioners offer specific concessions for Health Care Card holders; reception can confirm what applies to your chosen practitioner.

These are handled through our external partner Synergy Medical. Please mention the claim type at booking so reception can direct you appropriately.

Yes. If you're seeing different practitioners at different centres (for example, your GP at Earlwood and your Aurora Women & Babies Health obstetrician at another centre), your file is shared across all three centres. You don't need to explain your history twice.

Another SMSG GP can see you and will have access to your file. Reception will suggest a colleague of your usual GP if one is available.

Yes. Our GPs care for children and families as part of general practice. For developmental paediatrics, ADHD assessment, autism assessment or other specialist paediatric care, our Kids' Dr sub-brand is primarily based at Sans Souci.

Book a longer appointment with your GP. Chronic Disease Management Plans are Medicare-rebated and give you access to bulk-billed allied health sessions (dietitian, physiotherapist, psychologist and others) as part of your ongoing care.

Request a renewal through Automed. Existing patients only. Most requests are processed within one business day. See our Scripts & Referrals page for details.

Twelve months from a GP referral. Three months from a specialist-to-specialist referral. If your referral is close to expiring and you'll need to continue seeing the specialist, request a renewal before your next appointment.

Cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, haematology, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology, respiratory and sleep medicine, paediatric medicine, and general medicine. See our Excelsia Specialists Centre page for the full team.

Yes. If Excelsia doesn't cover the specialty your GP is referring you to, they will refer you to an appropriate external specialist.

Book a follow-up appointment with the doctor who ordered the test. This is the reliable way. For results that need urgent action, we will contact you directly. See our Results Policy page.

Reception can confirm whether a result has arrived and whether your doctor has reviewed it, but cannot interpret it or give clinical advice. Result interpretation is the treating doctor's responsibility.

Contact our practice reception via phone or email. A written request with signed consent is required, and requests are processed within a reasonable time of turnaround. Standard fees may apply for the production, handling, and transfer of medical records. See our Privacy Policy for the full process.

Telehealth suits follow-up appointments, mental health consultations, script and referral discussions, results discussions, and some new-patient consultations where a physical examination isn't required. It doesn't replace a physical consultation where one is needed.

Under Medicare rules, an established doctor-patient relationship is generally required for the Medicare rebate to apply to a telehealth consultation. Exceptions include some mental health, blood-borne virus and reproductive health services. Reception will confirm what applies to your appointment.

Yes. Many of our GPs, specialists, allied health practitioners and reception team speak languages in addition to English. Reception can match you to a practitioner who speaks your language where possible.

For consultations, phone interpreting is available through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National, 131 450). Let reception know at booking so an interpreter can be arranged.

Between them, our practitioners speak more than a dozen languages. See individual practitioner pages for their spoken languages.

For non-emergency care outside our opening hours, call the National Home Doctor Service on 13 SICK (13 74 25) for a home visit, or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for nurse-led advice. See our After-Hours Care page.

For any life-threatening emergency, dial 000 immediately. See our Emergency Information page for the full list of situations that warrant emergency care.

Yes. All three centres hold full accreditation from the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited against the RACGP Standards for General Practices.

Yes. Every clinician at SMSG is an independent practitioner. Each sets their own clinical decisions, billing arrangements, and appointment structure. SMSG provides the premises, reception team, and coordination between disciplines.

Speak to reception, or phone or email the centre directly. See our Feedback & Complaints page for the full process.

Yes. All three centres offer wheelchair access and accessible bathrooms.