A Letter of Referral is a fundamental document in the Australian healthcare system, used when a healthcare provider needs to refer a patient to another medical professional for specialized care, additional opinion, or specific treatment. This document is essential for maintaining continuity of care and ensuring effective communication between healthcare providers. The letter includes crucial information such as patient demographics, clinical history, current conditions, and the specific reason for referral. It must comply with Australian healthcare regulations, including the Privacy Act 1988 and relevant state/territory health records legislation. This document is particularly important in both public and private healthcare settings, where it facilitates appropriate transfer of care and maintains a documented trail of medical communication. The format and content are guided by professional medical standards and best practices in healthcare communication.

1. Letterhead Information: Referring practitioner's name, practice details, contact information, and professional credentials

2. Date: Current date of referral

3. Recipient Details: Name, practice details, and contact information of the healthcare provider being referred to

4. Patient Demographics: Patient's full name, date of birth, address, contact details, and healthcare identifiers

5. Referral Purpose: Clear statement of the primary reason for referral and type of care requested

6. Clinical Information: Relevant medical history, current condition, symptoms, and duration

7. Current Medications: List of current medications, dosages, and relevant allergies

8. Investigation Results: Summary of relevant test results and investigations performed

9. Current Management: Overview of treatments and interventions already attempted

10. Urgency Level: Indication of referral urgency and preferred timeframe for appointment

11. Signature Block: Referring practitioner's signature, credentials, and provider number