Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Definite history of significant developmental regression such that a progressive neurological disorder is suspected
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Child Development Services · Refer Your Patient
Autism spectrum disorder (diagnosed or suspected)
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Autism spectrum disorder (diagnosed or suspected).
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Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Children < 6 years who have developmental screening / or allied health assessments indicating difference across communication, social and behavioural domains suggestive of ASD - A child: - at risk of entering the child protection system (0 – 18 years of age) - currently in out of home care (OOHC) (0 – 18 years of age), or - Adolescents transitioning to adult healthcare following an out of home care experience (15 – 25 years of age) - where they have previously been on a waiting list for this problem and were removed without receiving a service - Child whose behaviour is putting self or others at high risk of significant harm (details must be provided) - Child who is at risk of being placed into out of home care - Child excluded from childcare or school due to developmental concerns
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - All other referrals
Essential referral information
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Detail the parent or carer's concern about behaviour that leads to the concern about communication and, social skills and behaviour - If educational setting concerns are present, then a letter from the educational setting must be included in a GP referral. In the absence of a letter from the educational institution provided with the referral, the referral will be categorised Cat 3 unless they meet other non-educational criteria. - Report presence or absence of concerning features: - Clear documentation of any suggestive features for Autism observed by the GP or Clinician - Is there definite history of developmental regression, and if so what specific loss of skills has been noted? - Is the child expected to be in out of home care supervised by the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services for more than 6 months? (Only those with developmental delay). If so, do you consider that the child's foster placement is at risk of breaking down due to the child's behaviour? - Previous attempts to engage NDIS must be provided - Confirmation of Out Of Home Care (where appropriate)
Out of scope / wrong door
The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - Children who require developmental monitoring/surveillance (in the absence of developmental delay) should be referred to GP or Child Health Nurse. - Educational assessment of school age children - Services that should be initially provided by primary care or community based allied health care for children, including well infant care and advice, parenting and behaviour management for young children, developmental services for children with mild developmental delay - Health screening assessments including on entry to foster care - Acute paediatric concerns - Developmental Allied Health intervention services will not be provided for Children who are eligible for Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) / National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) For children who are non-Australian citizens but still meet clinical criteria for an underlying disability as defined by ECEI/NDIS, CDS Gold Coast is unable to provide long term allied health intervention services. - Allied health developmental intervention services are not provided for children who are school-age (prep to year 12)
Parent service: Child Development Services
Send outpatient referrals to
- Smart Referrals preferred (Best Practice or Medical Director)
- Medical Objects GQ42150009Z (lookup qh → QHEALTH, GOLD COAST HEALTH OUTPATIENT)
- HealthLink EDI Qldgchsd
- Fax (07) 5687 4497 — Booking and Referral Centre
- Post: Booking and Referral Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Boulevard, Southport QLD 4215
- Clinic enquiries 1300 559 083
HealthPathways
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au