Specialist care (also known as specialist clinics or outpatients) refers to planned, non-admitted health care at public health services. It includes consultations for time limited assessment and advice, ongoing treatment for complex conditions, and pre- and post-surgery care, delivered by medical, surgical, nursing and allied health professionals. It may include mental health services provided in outpatient settings, but excludes community based mental health services.
Specialist care accounts for the highest volume of activity within Victoria’s public health system, with a delivery of 5.3 million appointments in 2024–25.
Specialist care reform blueprint
The Specialist care reform blueprint lays out the Department of Health’s plan to improve the specialist care system so people can access the care they need more easily and consistently across Victoria.
Access to specialist care services in Victoria
How Victorian health services manage referrals to a range of non-admitted specialist services.
Statewide Referral Criteria
Agreed criteria that help ensure patients are referred and prioritised consistently across Victoria.
Specialist clinics communication toolkit
How to promote consistent, respectful and clear communication with patients and referring clinicians with tips for designing letter and SMS reminders.
Public hospital specialist care clinic - locations
Provides referrers with information on referring to specialist care at the health services that provide the bulk of public specialist care services across Victoria.
Specialist clinics in hospitals
If you’ve been referred to a specialist, this page helps you understand what specialist clinics are and what happens next.
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