31/03/2026
What is the difference between your GP and Allied Health?
Think of it like this:
GP = “What’s going on?” + “Who do you need to see?”
Allied health = “Let’s treat, manage, and improve this”
It’s more like a team approach where each professional has a different role in your care. In Australia, your General Practitioner (GP) is usually the first point of contact. To assess symptoms, diagnose conditions, co-ordinate your care and refer you to other services if needed
What is allied health? “Allied health” refers to a wide group of health professionals who specialise in specific areas. Examples include:
• Physiotherapists
• Dietitians
• Psychologists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech pathologists
• Podiatrists
They don’t replace your GP, they work alongside them.
Their role of Allied Health Professionals in the system:
• Prevention (e.g. improving diet, mobility)
• Treatment & rehabilitation (e.g. injury recovery, mental health support)
• Chronic disease management (e.g. diabetes, arthritis)
• Improving quality of life (function, independence, wellbeing)
Referral vs direct access
• You can see many allied health providers directly (no GP referral needed), most private medical insurance providers cover some of the cost – plan dependent.
• But if you go through a GP, you may get Medicare rebates under programs like a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan to majorly reduce the cost.
What is the difference?
• A GP = generalist + coordinator
• Allied health = specialists in specific areas
Simple example
• Diabetes → GP assesses → refers to Dietitian for guidance on how food affects blood sugars
• IBS symptoms → GP rules out serious issues → refers to dietitian