Second opinions, explained plainly.
Practical guidance on how second opinions work in Australia — what the routes are, what a reviewing specialist needs from you, and when a second opinion is not the right tool. Written for patients, not for clinicians.
- 01
How to get a second opinion in Australia
The practical steps to getting a second medical opinion in Australia — in person or as a written review, with or without a referral, and what each route involves.
- 02
Do I need a referral for a second opinion?
No referral is needed for a written review of your documents. Who can write one, why Medicare rebates are a separate question, and your right to your records.
- 03
Do I need to tell my doctor I'm getting a second opinion?
Whether you have to tell your treating doctor you're seeking a second opinion, how the conversation usually goes, and what to do if you'd rather not have it.
- 04
Second opinion or change doctors?
A second opinion tests the clinical reasoning in your case; changing specialists changes the relationship. How to tell which one your situation calls for.
- 05
What documents do you need for a second opinion?
The medical records a specialist needs to give a useful second opinion, how to request records you don't have, and what to do about gaps.
- 06
Questions to ask in a second opinion
How to frame the questions that get a useful second opinion, with examples — and why a vague question produces a vague answer.
- 07
Getting a second opinion before surgery
What a second opinion before a planned operation can and cannot assess from your documents, which records matter, how timing works, and when it is not worth doing.
- 08
Second opinion on a cancer diagnosis
How second opinions work in Australian cancer care: what a documents-only specialist review can assess, which reports matter, and when it is not worth it.
- 09
Can you get a second opinion on a scan or imaging report?
The imaging report and the scan images are different things. How to request your DICOM files, what a reviewer can tell from each, and when a re-read isn't worth it.
- 10
How long does a second opinion take?
How long a second opinion takes in Australia — appointment waits on the in-person route, and Otro's 5-10 or 7-14 business day document review from acceptance.
These guides are general information about how second opinions work. They are not medical advice and are not tailored to your circumstances. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.