Your First Step to Better Sleep: How to Book a Sleep Study

We all know how it feels to be tired – but when exhaustion becomes the norm, it’s time to ask why. Maybe you wake up with a dry mouth, feel foggy all day, or someone has mentioned you snore (or even stop breathing) at night. If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to speak to your doctor about your sleep. But don’t worry — you’re not alone, and help is easier than you might think.

If you’re not sure how to bring up sleep concerns with your doctor, a simple question can be a great place to start. Try saying something like, “I’ve been feeling really tired during the day, even when I think I’ve slept enough — could something be wrong with my sleep?” or “My partner says I snore really loudly. Should I be worried about that?” These questions can open the door to understanding whether something like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) might be affecting your health.

OSA is a common, but often underdiagnosed condition where your breathing stops and starts throughout the night. In fact, 20% of Australians have moderate to severe OSA, and 80% of people with the condition remain undiagnosed.^1,2 This can lead to poor sleep quality, morning headaches, low energy, memory issues, and even serious conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.³ The good news? It’s treatable — and the first step is getting assessed through a sleep study.

If your doctor suspects OSA, they may refer you for a sleep study. Sove CPAP Clinic offers bulk billed sleep studies (meaning no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients) from the comfort of your own home — available nationwide. No hospital stays, no fuss — just a simple way to get answers.

To qualify for a bulk billed sleep study, you’ll need a referral from your doctor, and you must meet Medicare criteria. This includes scoring:

• 8 or more on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (measuring your daytime sleepiness)
• AND 3+ on the STOP-BANG questionnaire or 5+ on the OSA50 questionnaire (which look at risk factors like snoring, neck size, BMI, and blood pressure)

If your scores don’t meet these cut-offs, you can still qualify through a telehealth consultation with a Respiratory & Sleep Specialist. You must also be 18 or older and not have had a Medicare-funded sleep study in the past 12 months.

If you’re not eligible for bulk billing, you can still get tested. A full diagnostic Level 2 sleep study (monitoring breathing, oxygen, heart rate, brain waves, and more) is $400. A simpler Level 3 study (tracking breathing and oxygen only) is $100.

Once your study is complete, a Respiratory & Sleep Specialist will review your results. If diagnosed with OSA, your treatment options will be explained. The most effective treatment is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy — a device that gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open overnight. It’s proven to significantly improve sleep and daytime energy.⁴

So, if your sleep feels off, trust your instincts — and talk to your doctor. It could be the start of getting your energy back, protecting your health, and finally waking up refreshed.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring you receive expert and personalised care. All medical services — including sleep studies and lung function tests — are bulk billed to eligible Australians, with minimal wait times.

If you’d like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or get support for sleep apnea, contact us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea. When considering if a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” *Australian Journal of General Practice*, vol. 53, no. 6, 2024, pp. 349–355. https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779
2. “80% of People with Sleep Apnoea Are Undiagnosed.” *Science Focus*, 2024. www.sciencefocus.com/science/sleep-apnea-beat
3. Mitra, Amal K., et al. “Association and Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review.” *Diseases*, vol. 9, no. 4, 2021, p. 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases9040088
4. Katella, Kathy. “7 Things to Know about Sleep Apnea and CPAP.” *Yale Medicine*, 18 Apr. 2022. www.yalemedicine.org/news/sleep-apnea-cpap