What Is A Sleep Study?

Doctors use sleep studies to monitor sleep habits and diagnose sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea. It is a non-invasive exam that takes place overnight, either at a sleep lab, a hospital or a sleep centre, or in the comfort of your own home. Disruptions to your sleep, like eye movement, blood oxygen levels, breathing, heart rate, snoring and body movement, will all be observed to diagnose any sleep conditions that are obstructing your sleep and negatively impacting your health.

What Sleep Disorders Can Sleep Studies Diagnose?

If your sleep is being obstructed, you should consider getting a sleep study done to diagnose any existing conditions that may be hindering your sleep and health. A sleep study is the first step for anyone who is struggling with their sleep. A sleep study can diagnose:

  • Insomnia
  • Sleep apnea (snoring)
  • Narcolepsy
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Sleepwalking and sleep talking

If you're worried or curious about your own sleep patterns, you can do this quick OSA online sleep quiz to gain more information.

Do You Need A Referral For Sleep Study?

The first step is to have the sleep study authorised by a doctor; this can be done by downloading one of the referral forms below and taking it to your GP – or booking an online Telehealth consultation with a doctor from the comfort of your own home. Once you have your results, contact us and we will run through the treatment options with you.

What are the options?

  • Take our Online Sleep Assessment

    If you snore loudly or have concerns regarding your sleep health it is a great idea to take our self-assessed sleep quiz to discover how likely you are to have sleep apnea. All you need to do is answer a few questions below to get an understanding of your symptoms and what it could mean for your sleep health.

    Online Sleep Assessment

  • Need a sleep study referral?

    Book a same-day telehealth appointment with an Australian GP, for only $23.99*.

    *This service is supported by Qoctor – a wholly Australian and doctor-owned service. It’s online healthcare made easy! To book your appointment and receive a referral simply register via the button below.

    Book Now

  • Prefer to see your own GP?

    Below is a list of companies that offer sleep studies and are signed off on by an independent sleep physician that has no affiliation with CPAP providers.

    Download Referral Form

Learn More About Sleep Studies

How does a sleep study work?

At your appointment, our team will walk you through the process and position the nodes across your head and chest in preparation for recording your sleep that evening. You go to sleep, return the equipment the next day, and we will send your data to one of the Sleep Specialists that we work with. It takes approx. 2-3 weeks before we get your results back from the specialist, at that time, we will contact you to discuss your results and start CPAP therapy if recommended.

How do I prepare for a sleep study?

Before a sleep study, patients should talk to their doctor regarding any medication they are taking because some medications may interfere with the sleep study results. It is also a good idea to take a tour of the sleep study clinic to become familiar with your surroundings before you head in for your examination. On the day of the sleep study, patients should follow their usual daily routine, avoid any caffeinated food or drinks, try not to nap, prepare pyjamas, and bring toiletries and a change of clothes for the next day. A patient shouldn't use any technology like a laptop or mobile phone before their sleep study; bringing along a book will curb those entertainment cravings and help with a good night's sleep.

Will a sleep study diagnose my sleep disorder?

A sleep study gives doctors information to help diagnose common sleep disorders like sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and insomnia. Sleep studies also help diagnose nighttime behaviours like sleepwalking and REM sleep behaviour disorder.

Can I use CPAP without a sleep study?

While technically you can use a CPAP machine without a sleep study, it is always better to consult a healthcare provider before starting CPAP therapy to ensure safe and effective treatment. A sleep study will accurately diagnose the type and severity of sleep apnea and can determine the appropriate pressure settings for your CPAP machine. Without this, you risk using incorrect settings, which can be ineffective or even harmful. A sleep study will also need to be conducted If you are planning on claiming your machine through your private health fund as they will not approve a claim without one.

How much is a sleep study?

The cost of a sleep study in Australia can range from $400 to $1000. However, this cost could increase as sleep studies can vary significantly in cost depending on the type and location of the study. It you meet the Medicare requirements on the referral then quite a large percentage of the total sleep study cost is covered. Usually it ends up costing around $49 dollars out of pocket.

Queensland

New South Wales & ACT

Victoria

South Australia

Tasmania

  • Northwest Dental

    Burnie

    15 Cattley Street, Burnie, 7320, Tasmania Burnie (03) 6431 3111
    Wynyard (03) 6442 1200

    Download Referral Form

Northern Territory