In Australia, most pathology laboratories/collection centres will only conduct a pathology test if you have a referral from a registered doctor. While some labs can perform a very limited number of specific tests if a patient “self refers” (see below for details), in the vast majority of cases, a pathology referral/request from a doctor is required.

Self requesting blood tests/pathology tests

Most labs do not offer testing based on “self referral” because tests are expensive, and results are often complex to interpret. However there are some limited exceptions:

Dorevitch– No self-referral for blood tests

Australian Clinical Labs– No self-referral for blood tests.

QML Laboratories: Self referral/self request available for Blood Group, Hepatitis serology, MMR (measles mumps rubella) serology, Varicella (Chicken Pox) serology, Quantiferon Gold, Mantoux test, drug screening, alcohol breath test, COVID-19 swab.

4Cyte Laboratories No self-referral for blood tests

Please note that labs may change their policies over time, and the above is a guide only. Check with your local lab for further details.