Healthcare
Australia
Finding an IBD specialist in Australia
Learn how to find a paediatric gastroenterologist in Australia, get a referral, understand public and private specialist care, and access the right support for your child living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
🩺 What is an IBD specialist?
If your child has Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, finding the right specialist is an important step in managing their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A paediatric gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in digestive conditions in children and teenagers. They have specific training in diagnosing and treating IBD and understanding how it affects a child’s growth, development and everyday life.
Your child’s specialist can help with diagnosis, treatment plans, medication management, monitoring inflammation and managing flares. They may also coordinate care with IBD nurses, dietitians, psychologists and other healthcare professionals.
🔎 How do you find a paediatric gastroenterologist?
In Australia, there are several ways to find a specialist who treats children with IBD.
Start with your GP. Your general practitioner can assess your child’s symptoms, organise initial investigations and refer you to a paediatric gastroenterologist. Explain any concerns about persistent diarrhoea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue or changes in growth.
Contact your local children’s hospital. Many major children’s hospitals have paediatric gastroenterology departments that diagnose and manage Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Your GP can help identify the most appropriate service in your state or territory.
Explore private specialists. You can ask your GP for recommendations or search for private paediatric gastroenterologists in your area. Check that the specialist regularly treats children with IBD and ask about appointment availability and costs.
If you live in a regional or rural area, ask whether a referral to a larger children’s hospital, a regional outreach clinic or a telehealth service may be appropriate.
📋 How do you get a referral?
A referral is generally needed to access specialist care.
For public hospital care: Your GP will usually refer your child to a paediatric gastroenterology department or specialist outpatient clinic. The hospital reviews the referral and determines the urgency of the appointment based on your child’s symptoms and clinical needs.
For private care: A GP referral is generally required to access Medicare rebates for specialist consultations. Contact the specialist’s rooms to confirm their referral requirements, fees and availability.
When discussing a referral with your GP, make sure they understand your child’s symptoms, how long they have been occurring and whether they are getting worse.
It can also help to include relevant blood tests, stool test results, weight changes and other investigations in the referral.
Helpful tip: If your child’s symptoms worsen while waiting for an appointment, contact your GP and the specialist service. Explain what has changed and ask whether the referral needs to be reassessed.
🏥 Public vs private specialist care
Families in Australia may access paediatric gastroenterology services through the public hospital system or privately.
Public hospital care
Eligible patients can access public specialist services through the public health system.
Referrals are assessed according to clinical urgency.
Care may involve a multidisciplinary team with experience in paediatric IBD.
Waiting times vary depending on the hospital, urgency and availability of services.
Private specialist care
You may have more choice about which specialist you see.
Appointment availability varies between providers.
Consultation fees and out-of-pocket expenses may apply.
Additional costs may arise for procedures, hospital admissions and other services.
Private care is not automatically better than public care. The right option depends on your child’s medical needs, local services, availability and your family’s circumstances. Your GP can help you understand the options available.
🚨 What if your child needs urgent specialist care?
If your child has symptoms that suggest IBD or an existing diagnosis and their condition is worsening, it is important to seek medical advice promptly.
Contact your GP or your child’s IBD team if you notice increasing diarrhoea, blood in the stool, worsening abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or increasing fatigue.
If your child has severe abdominal pain, significant bleeding, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration or is becoming very unwell, seek urgent medical assessment. Attend an emergency department if symptoms are severe or your child needs immediate care.
Do not wait for a routine specialist appointment if your child’s symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.
👩⚕️ What is a paediatric IBD team?
Managing childhood IBD often involves more than seeing a gastroenterologist.
Depending on your child’s needs and the services available, their care team may include:
Paediatric gastroenterologist: Oversees diagnosis, treatment and disease monitoring.
IBD nurse: Provides education, coordinates care and explains what to do when symptoms change.
Dietitian: Supports nutrition, growth and dietary needs.
Psychologist: Helps children manage anxiety, stress and the emotional impact of living with a chronic condition.
A coordinated team can help families understand treatment options, monitor disease activity and manage the challenges of IBD at home and school.
When contacting a hospital, ask whether it has a dedicated paediatric IBD service and how families can contact the team between appointments.
📝 Questions to ask your child’s specialist
Choosing a specialist who understands childhood IBD and communicates well with your family can make a real difference.
Consider asking:
Do you regularly treat children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Does the hospital have a dedicated paediatric IBD team?
How often will my child need appointments and monitoring?
Who should we contact if symptoms worsen or we suspect a flare?
Who coordinates blood tests, stool tests and medication monitoring?
What support is available for nutrition, growth and puberty?
Can the team help with school absences, fatigue and emotional wellbeing?
Are telehealth appointments available if we live far from the hospital?
You do not need to ask every question at once. Start with the questions that matter most to your family and build your understanding over time.
📍 Accessing specialist care across Australia
Access to paediatric gastroenterology services varies between states and territories.
Families living outside major cities may need to travel for appointments, investigations or procedures.
Your GP can help identify the most appropriate local service and arrange a referral.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to:
Access telehealth appointments where offered.
Have routine blood tests or other monitoring completed closer to home.
Seek assistance through your state or territory’s patient travel assistance scheme if you meet the eligibility requirements.
If travel is difficult, explain this to your child’s healthcare team. They may be able to help coordinate appointments and discuss available options.
💙 Supporting your child after diagnosis
A new IBD diagnosis can feel overwhelming. There may be appointments to organise, medications to understand, school absences to manage and many questions about your child’s future.
You do not need to understand everything immediately.
Start by making sure you know who is coordinating your child’s care, how to contact the team and what to do if symptoms worsen. Keep important test results, medication lists and appointment details together so they are easy to access.
Finding the right specialist team can help you feel more informed and supported as you learn to manage your child’s condition.
🔗 Where can you find more information?
Your GP: For referrals, initial investigations and guidance about available services.
Your local children’s hospital: For information about paediatric gastroenterology departments and IBD clinics.
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia: Use their service locator to find healthcare professionals and support services for people living with IBD.
Your state or territory health department: For information about public hospital services and patient travel assistance.
This article provides general information for families in Australia and is not a substitute for medical advice. Referral pathways, eligibility, fees and waiting times vary across Australia. Speak with your child’s healthcare team about their individual needs.
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