Myself, my daughter & my son have been on waiting lists for procedures. Mine was quite urgent and I waited 3 months. My son was waiting for an operation on his toe – took 3 months and dental work too 14 months. My daughter is still on the waiting list and has been for over 12 months. Usually 12 months is standard.

Depending on the procedure and severity of problem it can sometimes be years.

My son is in Victoria, his referral was marked as urgent, he’s been on the list 12 months in July 2018. And this is for the first initial consult with the surgeon, then it’s a further wait for the actual surgery. Not helped by the fact that the hospital he was booked into allowed his boss to call and cancel an appointment he had in July (because it didn’t suit her as she was having holidays) and re-book it for September.
My partner is in Tasmania, referral also marked as urgent, been waiting 4 months so far and counting. He doesn’t have much leave left from work, hopefully it’s not too much longer!

My partner had to wait 14 months to see his orthopaedic surgeon. He was marked as non urgent tho

Thank You all for your comments I do appreciate the responses very much maybe will just have to wait to see specialist in April

In the public system if often depends which hospital waiting list you are on, or they may change you to a different hospital as occurred with a friend of mine. Both hospitals were the same side of the CBD. He had surgery sooner than he would have had before the change. Demand dictates length of waiting time.

Generally I have found waiting lists in Australia are VERY good compared to the UK… doctors say there will be a ‘wait’ and mean a few months.. but in the UK a wait might mean more like 2 years…

Hope you get in soon for your possible surgery and hope all goes well.

I live in Logan in Queensland so am under Logan Hospital

It will depend of where you live – in Queensland each area is independent.

Thank You all for your input I have an appointment at the end of April to see the surgeon will ask then I have been told I am listed as Category 2 not that that helps much have only waited a few weeks to see specialist.

It can take up to a couple of months depending on how urgent you are!

Yes it is a matter of what, when and where. Seriously ill patients would get priority over elective surgery patients.
I also would suggest giving your hospital a call and also suggest giving the Orthopaedic Surgeons office a call and speak to the receptionist as she may also be a source of knowledge.
I am of little help I’m sorry as we have private health but I am aware of friends having to wait quite a while in the public section.
Wishing you all the very best .

It really does depend on where you live. The hospital should be able to advise you on waiting periods.

It can depend on the severity and if you are bumped up on their lists. My mother in law is booked to see one and was told it could take 12 months. Doctors have the authority to apply for their patient to get bumped up so its always changing.