Is It Possible to Get an MRI Referral Online?
Yes, you can get an MRI referral online. Instant Consult offers an easy and convenient way to obtain MRI referrals wherever and whenever you need them. Simply book a telehealth consultation with our Australian registered doctors, and discuss your medical concerns during your session. If an MRI is needed, your doctor will send a Radiology e-referral directly to your device.
Traditional methods for obtaining an MRI referral often involve waiting for an in-person appointment with your referring doctor. This can be time-consuming as you might wait weeks for an appointment. Then, there’s the travel and waiting room time. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Instant Consult makes the process quicker and more convenient. You can arrange a radiology referral from anywhere in Australia. No waiting rooms. No unnecessary travel. Plus, your referral is stored digitally, making it easy to manage your health care.
So, if you need an MRI referral or any other imaging referral, don’t hesitate to book an online consultation today!
Yes, it’s that easy! With our easy-to-use app and a team of experienced and AHPRA-accredited online doctors, Instant Consult is your best choice if you need an ultrasound referral but can’t (or don’t want to) see a doctor in person.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of diagnostic imaging used in health care. It uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body.
When you’re placed inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily realigns water molecules in your body. Radio waves cause these aligned atoms to produce faint signals, which are used to create cross-sectional MRI images — like slices of bread. These images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed, or copied to a CD.
MRI is typically used to examine the brain, spinal cord, bones, joints, and breasts. It helps in diagnosing conditions like tumours, strokes, joint disorders, and more. It’s also valued for its ability to produce clear images of soft tissues that might not be as visible with X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound.


Why You May Need an MRI
When your doctor deems that your condition needs a closer examination that isn’t visible through other imaging methods like X-rays or CT scans, they’ll usually request an MRI. Here are some common instances when an MRI is needed:
- Injury Diagnosis: To assess injuries to bones, joints, and ligaments, especially in the knee and shoulder.
- Brain and Spinal Cord Analysis: For detecting brain tumours, spinal cord injuries, and strokes.
- Cancer Detection: MRI can identify and monitor various cancers, including breast, liver, and prostate cancer.
- Heart Problems: To examine the heart and blood vessels, aiding in the diagnosis of heart disease and stroke.
- Liver and Abdominal Issues: For identifying liver diseases and abnormalities in the abdomen.
- Infections: MRI can spot infections in the organs and tissues.
- Chronic Conditions: Disorders like multiple sclerosis can be monitored over time with MRI.
Can I Get an MRI Without a Referral in Australia?
In Australia, it’s possible to have an MRI without a referral from a health professional. However, having one is crucial for several reasons:
- Medicare Rebates: Without a medical imaging request, you won’t qualify for a Medicare rebate. This means you will have to pay the full cost of the MRI, which can be significantly high.
- Medical Necessity: A referral ensures the MRI is medically necessary. It helps avoid unnecessary scans and ensures the MRI targets the correct area based on your health issues.
- Guidance for Radiologists: The referral provides radiologists with important information about your medical history and the specific area of concern. This helps them focus on the right aspects for a more accurate diagnosis.
How to Request an MRI Referral Online
Our telehealth platform is designed to make getting the medical imaging you need as simple as possible. Here’s how to request an online MRI referral at Instant Consult:
- Sign Up or Log In: First, download the Instant Consult app or visit our homepage, then sign up or log in to your account. If you’re signing up, you’ll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, date of birth, and patient email.
- Book a Consultation: Once your account is set up, click on the “Request a Consult” button on your dashboard and follow the prompts. One of our online doctors will connect with you within 15 minutes.
- Attend Your Consultation: During the video call, discuss your symptoms and concerns. The doctor will assess if an MRI is necessary for your condition.
- Receive Your Referral: If an MRI is recommended, the doctor will issue a digital referral form immediately after the consultation. It will be sent directly to your patient inbox, and can be used at any radiology centre across Australia.
Bring your referral to your radiology appointment. The process can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about two hours, depending on the area being scanned and the number of patient images needed.
Typically, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for MRI results to come through. Note that your results will not be sent to you but to the referring practitioner if requested. This means that if your referral was issued by an Instant Consult doctor, your results will be sent directly to us. You can, however, request for it to be sent to your GP if you prefer.
Once your results are available, we will promptly inform you through email, SMS, or app notification. Upon receiving the notification, you will need to schedule a follow-up consultation so our doctors can explain your results and advise you on your next steps.
If needed, they will provide you with prescriptions or request a pathology test or other diagnostic imaging tests like an Ultrasound, X-ray or CT Scan. They can also give you a medical certificate or even refer you to a specialist if they think your condition requires specialised care.
Can I Reuse my Radiology Referral?
Your radiology referral will detail the tests you need, and you can only use it for those specific tests. So, if the test detailed therein is done, the referral is considered used, and you cannot reuse it.
But sometimes, a doctor might issue a referral for multiple tests. In such cases, you can use the referral until all prescribed tests are completed.
If you need a new referral, you can always book another online consultation at Instant Consult. It takes just a few clicks, and you can do it anywhere, whether you’re at home or on the go.
Whether it’s for an MRI, CT scan, or any other diagnostic imaging, our team is here to provide you with an e-referral, fast and hassle-free.
Our Feedback
Instant access to chat with a doctor with a comprehensive range of services
With Instant Consult, you can chat with a doctor and get help for a wide range of medical requests, all from the comfort of your home!
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Medical Certificates
Are you too ill to come into work and need to give your boss a medical certificate? With Instant Consult you can chat with a doctor and get a medical certificate sent directly to your app’s inbox, all without getting out of bed!
2
Prescriptions
If you need a new prescription or need to update an ongoing one then you can use our app to instantly chat to a doctor who can prepare your prescription promptly!
3
Referrals
If you have a medical condition that needs treatment from a specialist, one of our GP’s can send a digital referral straight to your app’s inbox.
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Pathology Requests
If you need a blood cell count or to check for STDs/STIs or need any other kind of bloodwork you can easily get a pathology request sent to your inbox by any of our fully licensed online GPs. You can then take the request to the clinic of your choice.
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Radiology Requests
If you require any special kind of diagnostic imaging such as a CAT scan or an MRI you can get a request from one of our online GPs which you can then take to your preferred provider.

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