Initial Assessment and Referral

The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) is a national approach to improving patient experience and assisting general practitioners and mental health clinicians to connect patients to the right mental health care at the right time.

The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) guidance is an initiative of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. The IAR provides a standardised, evidence based and objective approach to assist general practitioners (GPs) and mental health clinicians to recommend a level of care for their patients.

The Initial Assessment and Referral complements your clinical judgement to estimate the intensity of the mental health response a person might need based on eight diagnostic domains and five levels of care.  

Mental Health Care in General Practice

As the most consulted health professionals in Australia, GPs are often the first point of contact for people seeking mental health support. A GP/General Practice may be the only point of care for patients requiring support with their mental health.

People seeking mental health support may present with a range of factors that can make it challenging for health professionals to determine the most appropriate level of care. The GP patient relationship places GPs in a unique position where they may notice symptoms or changes in symptoms and can effectively monitor chronic mental illness. Discussions around mental health can also arise during patient consultation for other health matters and GPs can implement early interventions for those at risk.

The IAR and decision support tool has been developed to assist GPs (and other referrers) in finding the most suitable level of care for their patients.

Why use the IAR?

Widespread use of the IAR guidance and the decision support tool will create a common language across general practice and the mental health sector to communicate about a person’s treatment needs.

The IAR guidance aims to improve awareness and transparency of how decisions about the appropriateness of referrals are made. This can reduce frustration and save time managing rejected referrals and improve the experience of the person seeking support.

Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) national training dates for June 2025

Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) assists general practitioners, registrars and mental health clinicians in recommending the most suitable level of care for their patients seeking mental health support.

Training in the use of the IAR supports GPs and mental health clinicians to understand how the tool is being used across the sector and supports a consistent approach and standardised language for initial assessment and referral.

This is an RACGP and ACRRM CPD approved education activity.

The following dates are open for registration:

  • Tuesday 3 June 7:00 – 9:00pm online via Zoom
  • Friday 13 Jun 10:00 – 12:00pm online via Zoom
  • Thursday 19 June 7:00 – 9:00pm online via Zoom
  • Thursday 26 June 12:00 – 2:00pm online via Zoom

 

Click here to see upcoming National Training opportunities and register.

A one off $300.00 payment (excluding GST) is available for eligible GPs and registrars who complete the two-hour training before June 30 2025.

Please note from 30 June 2025 the remuneration for GP will cease.

IAR Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

The IAR provides primary healthcare providers with a nationally consistent evidence based and objective approach for patients seeking mental health support. It is a useful tool for GPs to support or confirm clinical judgement while ensuring the person seeking mental health support is matched to the care that most suits their needs at the time.

Implementing the IAR into primary healthcare settings will:

  • Contribute to sector wide consistency of commonly used language
  • Improve understanding of eligibility criteria and enable efficient and appropriate referrals
  • Reduce duplication of assessments from people seeking mental health support
  • Support the stepped care model and collaborative care planning with patients
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