Low T Check

    The complete pathway

    How to get TRT in Australia

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    There's one legitimate pathway to Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Australia — GP, blood tests, specialist, treatment. Here's exactly what each step looks like, how long it takes, and what it costs.

    Quick facts

    Step 1
    ADAM symptom check
    Step 2
    GP visit + blood tests
    Step 3
    Specialist referral
    Step 4
    Diagnosis + prescription
    Time (private)
    6–12 weeks
    Time (public)
    3–6 months

    TRT in Australia: the basics

    Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is prescription treatment for men with clinically diagnosed androgen deficiency — confirmed low testosterone on two morning blood tests, plus symptoms. In Australia it is legal and regulated: only a doctor can prescribe it, and PBS-subsidised treatment must be started by a specialist (an endocrinologist, urologist or sexual health physician) under the PBS authority rules.

    TRT is not a general performance or anti-ageing treatment, and Australian doctors cannot prescribe it for bodybuilding or cosmetic purposes. Whether treatment is appropriate is always the doctor's decision after an assessment — no service can guarantee a prescription.

    You can start the pathway in person with your own GP, or via telehealth with a men's health clinic that arranges pathology through the same national collection networks. Blood tests always happen in person at a collection centre, whichever route you take.

    The six steps, in order

    1. Screen your symptoms with the ADAM questionnaire. Take the free 2-minute ADAM (Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males) symptom check. A positive result means your symptoms warrant a blood test.
    2. Book a GP — ideally bulk billing. See an Australian GP and request a hormone panel: total testosterone, free testosterone (or SHBG), LH, FSH. Mention the ADAM result so the GP has a documented clinical reason to order pathology.
    3. Get two early-morning fasting blood tests. Australian guidelines require two separate morning tests (before 10am, fasted) to confirm low testosterone. With a GP referral the test is usually bulk billed.
    4. Get a specialist referral if results are low. If both tests confirm low testosterone, your GP refers you to an endocrinologist, urologist, or sexual health physician. PBS-subsidised TRT can only be started by a specialist.
    5. Specialist confirms diagnosis and prescribes treatment. The specialist reviews the cause (primary vs secondary hypogonadism), excludes other conditions, applies for PBS authority if eligible, and discusses treatment options and costs with you.
    6. Ongoing monitoring. Follow-up bloods at 3 and 6 months then yearly. Your GP usually manages prescriptions and routine monitoring once the specialist has started you.

    Where to go: your four options

    1. Your local GP, then a specialist referral — usually the cheapest starting point, especially with a bulk-billing GP, but the slowest route to a specialist.
    2. A dedicated men's health clinic — often faster, with consultation fees. Ask upfront about consultation and pathology costs and whether the clinic works within the PBS pathway.
    3. Telehealth — convenient Australia-wide and especially useful in regional areas. The same rules apply: blood tests still happen in person at a collection centre, and PBS-subsidised treatment still requires a specialist.
    4. Public hospital endocrinology — no consultation cost, but waiting lists are long and referral criteria are stricter. Your GP can advise whether a public referral is realistic in your area.

    Where to start in your city

    Each Australian capital has its own pathology and specialist landscape. See the city-specific guides:

    How long does it take?

    • GP + first blood test: 1 week
    • Second confirmatory blood test: 2–4 weeks later
    • Specialist appointment: 2–4 weeks private, 3–6 months public
    • Start of treatment: usually within 1 week of the specialist consult

    Total realistic timeline: 6–12 weeks on the private pathway, longer if you rely on the public system for specialist review.

    What it costs

    See the full breakdown on TRT cost in Australia, or estimate your own with the TRT cost calculator. Eligibility detail: is TRT covered by Medicare? Legality: is TRT legal in Australia?

    What criteria do doctors use in Australia?

    Treatment is for men with clinically diagnosed androgen deficiency — confirmed low testosterone plus symptoms (the most predictive being low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, muscle loss, brain fog, and low mood). Age-related decline alone isn't a PBS indication.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I get TRT in Australia?

    Take the ADAM symptom screen, see a GP for a hormone blood test, then get a specialist referral if your testosterone is low. The specialist (endocrinologist, urologist, or sexual health physician) confirms diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

    How long does it take to get TRT in Australia?

    Typically 4–10 weeks: 1 week to get a GP appointment and bloods, 2–4 weeks for a second blood test and results, then 2–6 weeks to see a specialist (faster privately, longer in the public system).

    Can a GP prescribe TRT in Australia?

    A GP can write a private testosterone script, but PBS-subsidised testosterone must be initiated by a specialist endocrinologist, urologist, or sexual health physician. After initiation, your GP usually manages ongoing prescriptions.

    Do I need a referral for TRT?

    Yes — to access PBS-subsidised treatment you need a specialist referral from a GP. The specialist confirms the diagnosis and applies for PBS authority.

    How much does it cost to start TRT in Australia?

    Costs can include consultations, blood tests and ongoing monitoring. Treatment options and costs are discussed with your doctor. See the Australian care costs guide for questions to ask.

    Can you get TRT online in Australia?

    Australian telehealth clinics can assess and prescribe testosterone, but the same rules apply: two morning blood tests at a collection centre, a clinical indication, and a specialist for PBS-subsidised treatment. Avoid offshore websites — importing testosterone without a prescription is illegal.

    Where do I get the blood test for TRT?

    Any Australian pathology provider (Sonic Healthcare member labs, QML, Dorevitch, Australian Clinical Labs, Healius/Laverty) with a doctor's request form. With a referral the test is usually bulk billed.

    Is TRT available on the PBS?

    Yes, under strict criteria: a specialist referral, two morning blood tests confirming low testosterone, and an underlying clinical cause (primary or secondary hypogonadism). Age-related decline alone does not qualify.

    Talk to a doctor about your symptoms

    For a plain-English introduction, read low testosterone testing in Australia. If you are considering a remote consultation, see how men's health telehealth works, including its limits and in-person pathology requirements.

    If you would like help arranging an assessment, see how to find a low testosterone doctor and request a callback from a partner men's health clinic.

    Get matched with a men's health doctor for low testosterone

    Leave your details and a partner men's health clinic will call you at a time that suits, to talk about your symptoms and whether a blood test may be appropriate.

    By submitting, you consent to Low T Check and a partner men's health clinic contacting you about your enquiry by phone, SMS or email. We handle your details in line with our Privacy Policy.

    A doctor's assessment is required. Any treatment is at the doctor's discretion and only if clinically appropriate. This service is not for emergencies; if you need urgent help call 000.

    How doctor matching works across Australia

    Take the free 2-minute symptom check

    The ADAM symptom check shows whether your symptoms may be worth discussing with a doctor. You can also request a callback to get matched with a men's health doctor at a partner clinic, by telehealth or in person, for an assessment.

    Start the free assessment

    Want to talk to someone first? Read how getting matched with a doctor works.

    *Blood tests may be bulk billed where eligible, subject to doctor assessment and clinical indication.

    Sources and further reading

    Doctor assessment and blood testing

    Telehealth standards

    These references cover the topics identified above. They do not endorse Low T Check or confirm the availability, fees or inclusions of a partner clinic. Your doctor will assess your individual circumstances.