Respiratory Specialist in Melbourne — Expert Lung Care Across the Eastern Suburbs
If you're dealing with a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or a diagnosed lung condition, seeing a respiratory specialist in Melbourne is often the fastest way to get answers. RSDC's team of FRACP-qualified respiratory physicians diagnoses and manages the full range of lung and breathing conditions at five clinics across Melbourne's eastern suburbs — Balwyn North, Camberwell, Ferntree Gully, Knox, and Richmond.
What Does a Respiratory Specialist Do?
A respiratory specialist (also called a respiratory physician or lung specialist) is a doctor who focuses on conditions affecting the lungs and airways. Where a GP can manage routine chest infections and mild asthma, a respiratory specialist investigates ongoing or unexplained symptoms — a cough that won't clear, breathlessness on exertion, recurring chest infections, or an abnormal chest X-ray or scan — using specialist testing that isn't available in general practice, then builds a treatment plan around the result.
Conditions We Treat
Our physicians see patients across the full spectrum of respiratory conditions, including:
- Asthma — diagnosis, severe/difficult-to-control asthma, and long-term management plans
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) — diagnosis, staging, and ongoing care
- Chronic cough — investigating coughs lasting longer than eight weeks
- Bronchiectasis and other chronic airway diseases
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis
- Occupational and environmental lung disease
- Sleep-related breathing disorders, including sleep apnoea
- Lung cancer screening and diagnosis, including EBUS bronchoscopy
Diagnostic Services Available On-Site
Getting a clear diagnosis usually starts with testing. RSDC offers the following diagnostic services directly through our clinics, so most patients don't need to be referred elsewhere:
- Spirometry (lung function testing) — measures how well your lungs move air in and out
- CPET (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing) — assesses how your heart and lungs perform under exertion
- EBUS bronchoscopy — minimally invasive lung imaging and tissue sampling, performed at Knox Private Hospital
- Home-based sleep studies — for suspected sleep apnoea, done from the comfort of your own bed
Meet Our Respiratory Specialists
Our respiratory and sleep physicians are FRACP-qualified (Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians) and consult across our eastern suburbs locations. Meet the full team and read individual profiles here.
Convenient Locations Across Melbourne's East
We've deliberately kept clinics close to where our patients live and work, so specialist respiratory care doesn't mean a long drive into the city:
- Respiratory Specialist — Balwyn North
- Respiratory Specialist — Camberwell
- Respiratory Specialist — Ferntree Gully
- Respiratory Specialist — Knox
- Respiratory Specialist — Richmond
Telehealth consultations may also be available for eligible patients. Under Medicare rules, telehealth rebates generally require an existing relationship with the practice (a face-to-face visit within the prior 12 months) — call us to check your eligibility.
Why Choose RSDC
- FRACP-qualified specialists across four respiratory and sleep physicians
- On-site diagnostic testing — spirometry, CPET, EBUS bronchoscopy, home sleep studies — so most of the diagnostic journey happens under one roof
- Five clinic locations across Melbourne's eastern suburbs, plus telehealth for eligible patients
- Rated 4.7 stars from 233+ patient reviews, with 98% recommending our services
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral to see a respiratory specialist?
Yes. To claim a Medicare rebate for a specialist consultation in Australia you need a valid referral from your GP. A standard referral is valid for 12 months; for an ongoing or chronic condition, your GP can issue an indefinite referral.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Appointment availability depends on the clinic location and the urgency noted on your referral. Call our team on 1300 773 210 or book online to check the next available appointment near you.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Your GP referral, a list of current medications, any previous chest X-rays, CT scans, or lung function test results, and your Medicare card.
Do you treat both adults and children?
Our respiratory and sleep physicians primarily see adult patients. If you're seeking care for a child, please call us on 1300 773 210 to confirm the most appropriate referral pathway.
Is a home sleep study a substitute for seeing a respiratory specialist?
A home sleep study is one of the diagnostic tools a respiratory specialist uses — it's typically ordered after an initial consultation, and the results are reviewed by one of our physicians as part of your treatment plan.
Book a Consultation
To see a respiratory specialist at RSDC, call 1300 773 210 or book online. Our team will help you find the nearest clinic and the next available appointment.