Welcome to Direct Endoscopy
$0 out-of-pocket¹ for privately insured patients. Low-cost options for non-insured patients.
For more than 30 years, Direct Endoscopy has set the benchmark for gastroenterology and digestive health in Victoria. Our hospitals are home to some of Melbourne’s most experienced gastroenterologists, who perform thousands of gastroscopies each year with precision and care. This scale enables specialist-led care with rigorous safety standards, delivered at a fraction of the cost of traditional private providers.
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Welcome to Direct Endoscopy
Gastroscopy Services Melbourne
$0 out-of-pocket¹ for privately insured patients. Low-cost options for non-insured patients.
For more than 30 years, Direct Endoscopy has set the benchmark for gastroenterology and digestive health in Victoria. Our hospitals are home to some of Melbourne’s most experienced gastroenterologists, who perform thousands of gastroscopies each year with precision and care. This scale enables specialist-led care with rigorous safety standards, delivered at a fraction of the cost of traditional private providers.
Book OnlineContact Us
Got Private Health Insurance? You Pay $0 Out Of Pocket¹
¹ Subject to having appropriate private hospital cover. If your policy includes an excess or co-payment that has not yet been met, this may be payable. Our team can help confirm whether your private health insurance covers the procedure.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Our fees are 75% lower than most other private providers*
VS
$400*
* Approximate cost for a Gastroscopy procedure for self-funded (non-insured) patients. This is an indicative average only, final pricing is confirmed at the time of booking and may vary depending on the procedure and clinical requirements.
Other Full-Fee Private Providers
$1,200**
** Approximate cost for a standard Gastroscopy procedure for self-funded (non-insured) patients, based on an average of three major private hospitals.
Private hospital excellence
without premium costs
30 Years of Specialist Care
With over 30 years of specialist experience, we bring consistency & proven clinical outcomes.
Minimal Wait Times
Forget long wait lists. Most patients are seen within 2–3 weeks for their first appointment.
Specialist-Led Care
Every procedure is led by the specialist of your choice, with care tailored to your needs.
Modern, Accredited Facilities
All procedures are performed in our five modern and fully accredited day hospitals with a strong focus on safety and comfort.
Trusted at Scale
We are one of the largest providers of endoscopy services in Australia, performing over 25,000 procedures every year.
Clinical Expertise
Our highly qualified, multidisciplinary clinical team supports you at every stage of the procedure with experience and care.
TWO SIMPLE STEPS
Our Process
If you would like to book a Gastroscopy at one of our hospitals, just follow these two easy steps:
Get a Referral from Your GP
Download and print the referral form and take it to your regular GP. Your doctor will complete the form and refer you to Direct Endoscopy for the appropriate service.
Make an Appointment
Once your GP has completed the referral form, it’s time to book your consultation. Call our team on 03 9781 5959 or book online at your convenience. We’ll help you choose a suitable clinic location and appointment time that works for you.
Get a Referral from Your GP
Download and print the referral form and take it to your regular GP. Your doctor will complete the form and refer you to Direct Endoscopy for the appropriate service.
Make an Appointment
Once your GP has completed the referral form, it’s time to book your consultation. Call our team on 03 9781 5959 or book online at your convenience. We’ll help you choose a suitable clinic location and appointment time that works for you.
Understanding the Procedure
What is Gastroscopy & what’s involved
A gastroscopy (also known as an upper endoscopy) is a procedure that allows specialists to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It is commonly recommended to investigate symptoms such as reflux, difficulty swallowing, nausea, or persistent indigestion, and can detect conditions including ulcers, inflammation, coeliac disease, and early signs of cancer.
What to Expect
Preparation: You’ll be given clear instructions, usually involving fasting for several hours before the procedure.
Sedation & Comfort: A light sedative or anaesthetic will be provided to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Examination: A thin, flexible tube with a camera (gastroscope) is gently guided through the mouth to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The images are viewed in real time on a monitor.
Interventions if Required: Biopsies or minor treatments can often be performed immediately, reducing the need for additional procedures.
Recovery & Follow-Up: After the procedure, you’ll rest under supervision until the sedative wears off. Your specialist will review the findings with you and discuss next steps, including any treatment or follow-up care.
Book An Apppointment
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.
Specialist-Led. Patient-Focused.
Expert-Led Patient Care
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.
01
What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract that is performed at a day hospital. This procedure allows doctors to observe and inspect the insides of your oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum) for any abnormalities. Gastroscopies also enable doctors to obtain tissue samples or a biopsy, which is later tested in a laboratory to determine the presence of things such as infections, cancers, and other health issues.
02
What does a gastroscopy look for?
Gastroscopy is used to investigate the causes of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, heartburn, suspected ulcers, nausea, vomiting, iron deficiency and others. During a gastroscopy, your doctor will observe the inside of your upper digestive tract for any signs of abnormalities. In many cases, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken during a gastroscopy for further testing in a laboratory. This can determine whether you have infections, diagnose abnormal tissue growth, and confirm conditions such as coeliac disease and cancer.
03
What can be found in a gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is used to find abnormalities in your esophagus, stomach and upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). This can include anything from inflammation, reflux oesophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, coeliac disease, cancers, Barrett’s oesophagus and others.
04
What should I expect with a gastroscopy?
With a gastroscopy, you should expect to undergo a period of fasting prior to the procedure. The exact details on how to prepare for your gastroscopy will be provided by your doctor upon making your gastroscopy appointment.
In a gastroscopy procedure, you will be instructed to lie down on your side and be administered anaesthetic in the form of a sedative injection so you won’t feel any pain. You may also occasionally have numbing spray applied in your throat and a mouthpiece to keep your mouth open during the gastroscopy.
Your doctor will then insert a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to the end (known as an endoscope) into your mouth, down your esophagus, stomach and into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This camera will transmit images onto a video monitor, which your doctor will observe to carry out the gastroscopy. Your doctor will observe any abnormalities and may need to take tissue samples for Helicobacter or any observed abnormalities.
A gastroscopy can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes but can be longer if additional procedures are needed such as taking tissue samples (biopsies).
Because of the anaesthetic, you will initially feel drowsy and should not be driving for the next 24 hours. This is why it is recommended to have someone accompany you to your gastroscopy and take you home after it is finished.
05
How long do I have to fast before a gastroscopy?
As a guideline, if your gastroscopy is in the morning, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight before your procedure.
If your gastroscopy is later in the afternoon, it is required that you don’t eat anything 6 hours before your procedure, and don’t drink anything 2-3 hours before your procedure.
However, your doctor will provide you with the exact and more detailed information about your fasting requirements before your gastroscopy procedure.