Finding the right paediatrician can make a huge difference in your family’s journey especially when you’re seeking answers or support for your child’s development, learning, or behaviour.
But not all paediatricians offer the same services or have experience with the same conditions. Before you wait months (or years) for an appointment, here’s what you need to know.
Shortage of paediatricians
It is extremely difficult to get a paediatrician or psychiatrist appointment in Perth as there is a major shortage of specialists here and across Australia.
There are currently 10,659 primary school aged students waiting to see a paediatrician through the WA government-provided (free) Metro Child Development Service. You can expect a wait time of close to four years.
Private paediatricians and psychiatrists are also in extremely high demand and most have closed their books or have a very long list of exclusions on who they will and won’t see.
For parents, this means it’s a case of “take what you can get!”, rather than “who is the best paediatrician for my child?” unfortunately.
You can ask your GP for a generic “dear paediatrician” referral until you can confirm who may accept your referral. This is really helpful as often a clinic will open their books for hours or a day and then close them again – which doesn’t allow time to get a GP appointment for a specific referral.
Not all conditions require diagnosis by a paediatrician
It’s important to check if a paediatrician is required for diagnosis before you spend months on a waitlist. Not all conditions require diagnosis by a paediatrician.
This includes evidence of an autism diagnosis to apply for access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme or for an Individual Disability Allocation through the Western Australian Department of Education.
But, if you think you might want to explore medication in the future, it’s worth getting on a waitlist now as the waits are long.
Check that the paediatrician specialises in your area of concern
Paediatricians often have different areas of focus. Some only see children for general medical concerns (like feeding difficulties or failure to thrive), while others work in developmental or behavioural areas such as autism or ADHD.
Here are a few key distinctions:
- Some paediatricians assess and diagnose autism but do not see children with ADHD and vice versa.
- Some may provide a diagnosis but do not offer medication or long-term management, which is particularly important if your child may need ADHD medication (these are highly regulated).
- Not all paediatricians are experienced in identifying more complex profiles such as internalised presentations or children who mask well in assessments.
- Not all paediatricans are Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) aware or receptive.
If you’re unsure, check their website or call their clinic before booking to confirm whether they see children for your specific concerns.
Ask for parent feedback
The experience of other parents can provide the helpful and recent feedback. Private Facebook support groups can be super helpful if you don’t have family or friends who can provide feedback. You can post something like:
“We’re thinking of booking with Dr XYZ for our 5-year-old daughter for possible autism/ADHD. She’s great at masking and we suspect PDA. Does anyone have any concerns about this doctor? Please PM me with any negative feedback in line with group rules.”
Most groups require that negative experiences be shared via private message to avoid legal issues for admins so be sure to follow the group’s guidelines.
Check their registration on the Ahpra public register
Before booking, check whether your paediatrician is registered on the Ahpra Register of Practitioners. This site shows whether:
- They are currently allowed to practice
- Any conditions or restrictions are attached to their registration
Keep in mind that the language used can be a little technical. If you see the word “condition,” it typically means the practitioner’s ability to practise is restricted in some way to protect the public. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are unsafe but it’s worth asking questions or doing a little digging. Sometimes a Google search will give you answers such as news coverage or outcomes of disciplinary matters.
It’s also worth noting that sometimes complaints can be made for vexatious or personal reasons (for example, in family court situations where parents disagree on a diagnosis). Ahpra is responsible for investigating these complaints and deciding if they are valid and action is required.
Compare pricing between services
Private paediatric consultations can be expensive. Some key tips to help manage costs:
- Ask about fees before you book. Most clinics will let you know the cost of an initial consult and any follow-up appointments.
- Check what’s included. Some paediatricians charge separately for things like diagnostic assessments, reports, or school letters.
- Ask what the Medicare rebate will be. This can reduce your out of pocket cost.
- Use your Medicare Safety Net. For some families having expensive appointments earlier in the year means they will meet the Medicare Safety Net threshold earlier providing additional Medicare rebates of 80% of medical costs outside of hospital.
- Look at wait times vs. cost. A lower fee might come with a longer waitlist, while more expensive services may have earlier availability.
Remember, higher cost doesn’t always mean better care but transparency about pricing and inclusions can help you avoid surprise bills.
Look at Google reviews, cautiously
Google reviews can provide some insight into other families’ experiences, but take them with a grain of salt. A pattern of repeated complaints about the same issues can raise red flags, but individual negative reviews may not reflect your own experience.
If a paediatrician has recently moved to a new clinic, check the reviews of their previous practice as well for a fuller picture.
Be wary of glowing website testimonials
Medical practitioners in Australia are bound by strict advertising guidelines from Ahpra. This means they’re not supposed to publish testimonials that promote the success or outcome of treatments especially on their own websites.
If you see lots of five-star-style praise that looks curated or promotional and isn’t pulled from an independent review platform like Google, it may be a sign that the practitioner isn’t following Ahpra’s rules on advertising.
Consider telehealth
Recent changes to Western Australia’s regulations for prescribing medications such as stimulants has opened up telehealth as a viable alternative for many families.
Often waitlists are shorter interstate. Some families have shared that their children have been more comfortable having the consultation in their home environment.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right paediatrician is about more than just availability, it’s about making sure their expertise, approach, and pricing are the right fit for your child and family. Doing a little homework before you book can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
If you’re not sure where to start, Perth Kids Hub includes listings of local paediatric professionals, including their areas of expertise and wait times so you can make informed choices from the outset.
