Find a Paediatrician
Near You

A paediatrician is a medical doctor who specialises in the health and wellbeing of children from birth through to adolescence. They diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions including developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, allergies, asthma, and general childhood illness. Many paediatricians have sub-specialties such as neurodevelopmental paediatrics, respiratory paediatrics, or neonatology.

In Australia, you will typically need a referral from your GP (General Practitioner) to see a paediatrician and access Medicare rebates. Your GP will assess your child, write a referral letter, and recommend a specialist. A referral from a GP is valid for 12 months for a specialist, or 3 months for a consultant physician. Some paediatricians accept self-referrals but these consultations may not attract a Medicare rebate.

Bulk billing means the doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for their service — you pay nothing out of pocket. Not all paediatricians bulk bill; many charge a private fee that is higher than the Medicare rebate. Use our Bulk Billing filter above to find specialists who offer this in your state. Availability can change, so always confirm with the practice when booking.

Yes — in most cases you will need a GP referral to access Medicare rebates for a paediatric consultation. Without a referral you can still see a private paediatrician, but you will pay the full fee without any Medicare subsidy. It's always best to see your GP first so they can assess your child, prepare a comprehensive referral letter, and help identify the most appropriate specialist for your child's specific needs.

Paediatricians typically care for children from birth (including premature newborns) through to 18 years of age. Some specialists continue to see patients into early adulthood (up to 21–25 years) for conditions like autism or intellectual disability where transition to adult services may be complex. Neonatologists specialise specifically in newborns and premature infants in hospital settings.

Costs vary widely. Bulk-billing paediatricians charge nothing out of pocket. Private paediatricians typically charge $250–$500+ for an initial consultation, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $80–$160 applying (depending on the item number). Follow-up appointments are generally $150–$350. Diagnostic assessments for autism or ADHD can range from $600 to $2,500+ depending on the complexity of the assessment required.

A GP (General Practitioner) provides broad primary healthcare for patients of all ages and is usually your first point of contact for health concerns. A paediatrician has completed additional specialist training (typically 4–6 years after medical school) focused exclusively on children's health. Paediatricians are better equipped to diagnose and manage complex or specialist childhood conditions, conduct developmental assessments, and coordinate care with other specialists like speech therapists and occupational therapists.

Yes — paediatricians are one of the professionals in Australia qualified to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD in children. An ASD diagnosis typically involves a multidisciplinary assessment including a paediatrician or psychiatrist, psychologist, and speech pathologist. ADHD can often be diagnosed by a paediatrician or psychiatrist alone. A confirmed diagnosis is generally required to access NDIS funding for early intervention supports.