Specialist Affordability: Options to Address Excessive Fees
24 September 2026
Help Us Highlight Tasmanian Experiences of Specialist Access and Costs
We’re hearing from more and more Tasmanians who are struggling to access the specialist care they need.
We are currently gathering Tasmanian experiences to support our advocacy on specialist access and affordability. If you have experienced challenges accessing specialist care, or have concerns about the fees you’ve been charged, we’d like to hear from you.
We’re particularly interested in hearing about:
* Long waits to see a specialist
* Difficulty finding a specialist who can take new patients
* Delays in diagnosis or treatment due to a lack of access
* High out-of-pocket costs for specialist appointments
* Unexpected or excessive specialist fees
* The impact these challenges have had on you and your family
Whether your experience relates to access, affordability, or both, your story can help us build a stronger picture of the challenges facing Tasmanians and strengthen our calls for change.
Want to Share Your Experience Directly with Decision-Makers?
If you would like to share your experience, please get in touch with us for a confidential discussion.
There are also currently two national opportunities to provide feedback directly to government and parliament.
1. The Australian Parliament is accepting submissions to its Inquiry into access to and affordability of medical specialists in Australia. This inquiry is examining the barriers people face in accessing specialist care and what changes may be needed to improve the system.
You can find out more and make a submission here:
2. The Australian Government is also seeking feedback on specialist fees through its consultation on Options to Address Excessive Fees. If you’ve experienced very high specialist costs or fees that have affected your ability to access care, we encourage you to complete the survey.
You can access the survey here:
If you’re unsure about making a submission or responding to the survey, we’d still encourage you to contact us. We’re keen to hear about your experiences and to ensure Tasmanian voices are represented in our advocacy for a fairer and more accessible specialist system.
To share your story or arrange a confidential conversation, contact Hannah Fielder hannah@healthconsumerstas.org.au
