How to Get a TRT Prescription in Australia

In Australia, testosterone is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). You cannot legally obtain it without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Here's how the process works.

Step 1: Recognise the symptoms

Before seeking a prescription, it helps to understand what low testosterone actually looks like. Common symptoms include persistent fatigue, low libido, erectile difficulties, mood changes, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, brain fog, and poor sleep. For a full breakdown, see our guide on signs of low testosterone.

These symptoms overlap with many other conditions — depression, thyroid disorders, sleep apnoea, iron deficiency — which is why proper diagnosis matters.

Step 2: Get blood work done

A testosterone prescription in Australia requires confirmed low testosterone on blood tests. According to Healthy Male (Australia's national men's health organisation), diagnosis requires:

• At least two fasting morning blood tests showing low total testosterone (samples taken before 10am)
• Free testosterone and SHBG to assess bioavailable testosterone
• LH and FSH to determine the cause (primary vs secondary hypogonadism)
• Additional markers: prolactin, oestradiol, full blood count, liver/kidney function, lipids, PSA

You can get blood work ordered by your regular GP, or through a telehealth service like ours. Most pathology is bulk-billed with Medicare. For details on what each marker means, see our blood test guide.

Step 3: Consult with a GP or specialist

In Australia, testosterone can be prescribed by:

• General Practitioners (GPs) — Can prescribe TRT under RACGP guidelines. Most straightforward path for men with clear-cut low testosterone.
• Endocrinologists — Hormone specialists. Usually accessed via GP referral. Recommended for complex cases or when the cause of low testosterone is unclear.
• Urologists — May manage TRT in the context of fertility or testicular conditions.

Your GP will review your blood work, assess your symptoms, rule out other causes, and discuss treatment options. If TRT is clinically appropriate, they'll prescribe it.

Step 4: Choose a treatment option

Several TRT formulations are available in Australia:

• Testosterone undecanoate injection (Reandron) — Every 10–14 weeks. Most popular option. PBS-eligible.
• Testosterone gel 1% (Testogel) — Applied daily. PBS-eligible.
• AndroForte 5% cream — Applied daily. Compounded, not PBS-listed.
• Compounded testosterone creams/troches — Various formulations via compounding pharmacies.

For a comparison of these options, see Reandron vs Testogel. For cost breakdowns, see TRT cost in Australia.

PBS vs private prescription

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises testosterone for specific medical conditions. PBS eligibility requires documented hypogonadism caused by an established medical condition — not age-related decline alone. For full details, see our guide on PBS eligibility for TRT.

If you don't meet PBS criteria, your GP can still prescribe testosterone on a private prescription. This costs more at the pharmacy but means you're not excluded from treatment.

The telehealth option

Telehealth TRT services like TRT GP Australia allow you to:

• Complete a health assessment online
• Have blood work ordered and completed at your local pathology lab
• See an AHPRA-registered GP via secure video consultation
• Receive an e-script sent to your phone, filled at any pharmacy

This is particularly useful for men in regional or rural areas, men with busy schedules, or men who simply prefer the privacy of consulting from home.

What you cannot do

• Buy testosterone without a prescription — Illegal in Australia. Testosterone is Schedule 4.
• Import testosterone from overseas — Illegal without a valid Australian prescription and TGA approval.
• Self-prescribe or self-dose — TRT requires medical supervision and ongoing monitoring.

The bottom line

Getting a legitimate TRT prescription in Australia is straightforward: get proper blood work, see a qualified GP, and if you have clinically low testosterone, discuss treatment options. The process protects you — it ensures you actually need TRT and that it's safe for you to use.