GP Referral (Most Common Pathway)

• Ask your regular GP for a referral to The Avenue SportsCare. They can send it by fax, email or our online portal. Our coordinator will contact you within 24 hours to book your appointment.
• Your GP's referral helps us triage your injury correctly and ensures Medicare rebates apply where eligible.

Sports Club Doctor or Physio Referral

• If your sports club has a medical officer, sports doctor or physiotherapist, they can refer you directly to The Avenue SportsCare. We work closely with club medical staff to get injured players assessed and back on the field as fast as possible.
• Club doctors can use our dedicated SportsCare referral form or call our coordinator directly on game day for urgent injuries.

On-Site Registrar Consultation

• Not sure where to start? The Avenue SportsCare has orthopaedic registrars and fellows available for initial consultations. They will conduct your full clinical workup — history, examination and imaging — and then hand you directly to one of our specialist VMO surgeons for treatment.
• You get the same expert pathway, with the same fast timeframes, without needing a referral in advance.

Note:

Sports injuries deserve immediate specialist attention. A torn ACL or ruptured Achilles doesn't wait. Neither should you. SportsCare at The Avenue is built around one idea: getting you the right expert, the right diagnosis and the right treatment without delay.

Priority Appointments

Urgent cases seen within 48 hours. Standard appointments within 5 business days. No months-long waiting lists.

Expert orthopaedic surgeons

Our SportsCare VMOs bring deep experience in sports-specific surgery. You're seen by the right specialist, not whoever is next available.

Same-session imaging

On-site digital X-ray at your consultation. Priority MRI arranged within 48 hours for urgent cases, no separate appointments to chase.

Fully coordinated care

A dedicated SportsCare coordinator manages your rehab journey end to end, from first contact through surgery to your return-to-sport clearance.

Brand new purpose-built theatres

Operate in The Avenue's newly built, dedicated orthopaedic theatres, designed specifically for sports surgery and equipped with the latest arthroscopic and joint reconstruction technology.

Return-to-sport focus

We set objective, criteria-based milestones, not arbitrary time targets, so you and your coach know exactly when you're cleared to train and play.

No surprises. We check your cover before you arrive.

We accept all major private health funds. Our admissions team will verify your cover and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your appointment — so you can focus on getting better.

Note Banner:

Do I need a GP referral to be seen?

Not necessarily. While a GP referral is the most common way to access SportsCare, you can also be referred by your sports club doctor or physiotherapist. Alternatively, if you don't have a referral, you can book directly to see one of our on-site orthopaedic registrars or fellows, who will conduct a full clinical assessment and then hand you to the right specialist surgeon. Just call our coordinator and we'll work out the best pathway for you.

Can my sports club doctor refer me directly?

Yes. Sports club medical officers, sports medicine physicians and physiotherapists can all refer directly to The Avenue SportsCare. For club medical staff managing an acute on-field injury, our coordinator is available during business hours for same-day triage, and our after-hours urgent line is available for genuine emergencies. Club doctors can request our dedicated referral form or simply call us directly.

What does the registrar or fellow consultation involve?

Our SportsCare registrars and fellows are experienced orthopaedic clinicians. They'll take a thorough history, conduct a full physical examination, order and review any imaging required, and prepare a complete clinical assessment. They then present directly to one of our specialist VMO orthopaedic surgeons, who reviews your case and confirms your treatment plan. You get the benefit of a senior specialist decision without the wait.

Can I choose which surgeon I see?

Yes. If your referrer has a preferred surgeon in mind, or if you've been recommended a particular specialist, please let us know when you call and we'll do our best to accommodate your preference within the target timeframe.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your referral letter (if you have one), Medicare card, private health insurance card, any existing scans on CD or digital link, a list of current medications, and comfortable clothing that allows access to the injured area. If you're coming via the registrar pathway without a referral, just bring your Medicare card and we'll take care of the rest.

How long will I wait for surgery once I've been assessed?

Our target is to have urgent and priority surgical cases listed and scheduled within 14 days of your specialist consultation. Standard elective cases are typically scheduled within 28 days. Your coordinator will confirm your surgical date and all associated costs at the time of listing.

Is rehabilitation included as part of SportsCare?

Yes. Your surgeon and our allied health team will build a rehabilitation program tailored to your procedure, your sport and your goals. We use objective, criteria-based return-to-sport milestones – not arbitrary time targets – so you progress when your body is ready, not just when a calendar date arrives.