Pathology LibGuide

Pathology, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic services assist medical and other health practitioners to describe, diagnose and monitor a patient’s illness or injury. Patients may receive such services in hospital, but for services provided in non-hospital settings, patients are typically referred to these services by a medical practitioner. There are simple basic pathology tests, some imaging services and many other diagnosis services that patients do not require a referral to attract Medicare benefit.
This page focuses on pathology, imaging and other diagnostic services subsidised through the MBS, and based on the financial year of processing between 2015–16 and 2020–21. It also highlights the impact of COVID-19 on diagnostic services processed until the end of December 2021.

Specialists generally only see their patients after receiving a ‘referral’ from a primary health care practitioner. They provide diagnostic and treatment services in a specific area of medicine, generally for a particular disease or body system. This is distinct from other practitioners, such as specialists in General practice, allied health and other primary care services, where a referral is not usually required.
Common referred specialties include: cardiology, dermatology, gynaecology, neurology, obstetrics, oncology, paediatrics and rheumatology. All specialists have completed advanced training, and must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in order to practice in Australia.