How to get the most out of your GP appointment

5 Mar 2026

Making an appointment with a GP

ask for a longer appointment if you think you will appointment need more time to talk with the GP (most appointments are 10-15 minutes)
ask if you have to pay for your appointment (if you are receiving Centrelink benefits most GPs will not ask you to pay for your appointment and will bulk bill you through the Medicare system)
ask for the first appointment of the day or directly after the GP returns from lunch if you don’t like waiting in the waiting room before your appointment
ask for a video or phone appointment (telehealth) if you don’t feel comfortable going to the clinic (you can only ask for this if you have seen a GP at that clinic in the last year)
ask how accessible the GP clinic is (if you need this) for example if there is a ramp or automatic entrance doors
ask if there is accessible parking close to the clinic entrance
ask for an interpreter in your language or an AUSLAN interpreter
ask the GP to make changes to the appointment to suit your ability if you need (tell the receptionist what your special needs are when making your appointment)
ask for a male or a female GP if you would prefer
ask what the name of the GP is who you will be seeing

Getting ready for your GP appointment

think about what information you need to give you GP so they can help you with your health concerns
make a list of the things you want to discuss with your GP and take this with you to the appointment
take your health information with you to your GP appointment (for example test results or medical scripts you may have)
take any medications that you are using with you to your GP appointment
take someone with you to the appointment if you would like support (tell the receptionist when you arrive that you have a support person or advocate with you)
tell your support person or advocate how they can support you while seeing the GP
call the GP practice before leaving for your appointment and ask if the GP is running on time. If the GP is running late you can ask reception to call you when the patient before you will be seen to give you time to get to the appointment and not have to wait

Attending your GP appointment

tell the receptionist you will wait outside until your name is called if you don’t like sitting in the waiting room of the GP clinic
ask if there are risks with your medications or discuss concerns you have if the GP says you must take medications (you can also ask them why you need the medications)
ask the GP what the reasons are for tests or treatments you may need (for example if you need your blood pressure taken each time you visit ask them why).
ask the GP any questions you have about your treatments or tests
ask the GP to write down what you have been told if you think you may not remember what was said.
ask for any fact sheets that may be available
ask for a follow-up appointment if you need to make a decision on something and you’re not ready yet.

Supplied by Janet Brown, Aged Care Navigator