25 May 2026
You Don't Need a GP Referral to See a Physio in Australia
One of the most common myths in Australian healthcare is that you need a GP referral to see a physio. You don't — and here is what that actually means for you.
Read moreCondition guide
Hip Pain — Do You Need a Physio, GP, or Something More Urgent?
The right answer depends on your specific symptoms. Triagr will tell you in 2 minutes — free.
Triage my hip pain now →
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Why it's not always obvious
Hip pain can come from the joint itself, the surrounding muscles and tendons, or be referred from the lower back — and distinguishing between these matters for treatment. What feels like hip pain is not always coming from the hip.
Most hip pain can go straight to a physiotherapist. But how the pain started, whether it affects your ability to walk, and a few other details change the right next step significantly.
Some presentations need prompt assessment. Others respond quickly to the right physiotherapy approach. The difference comes down to your specific symptoms.
The right next step depends on a few key questions about your specific situation.
If it started suddenly
How your hip pain started makes a significant difference to what you should do next. Sudden onset after an injury or incident often needs a different approach to pain that has come on gradually.
If it has been going on for a while
How long you have had hip pain matters. A problem that has been there for weeks or months is managed differently to something that started recently — and the right next step depends on more than just how long it has been.
If your symptoms are severe
The severity of your hip pain is one factor — but severity alone does not determine where you should go. Some severe presentations are best seen by a physiotherapist directly. Others need a different first step. The combination of your symptoms is what matters.
How Triagr works out the right answer for you
Triagr asks you a series of plain-language questions about your hip pain — how it started, how long it has been going on, how severe it is, and a few other key details. Based on your specific answers, it gives you a clear recommendation: emergency department, GP, physiotherapist, or self-manage at home. It takes 2 minutes and it's completely free.
Start your free triage →Built by a registered physiotherapist
Plain language — no medical jargon
General health information only — not clinical advice