FAQ

What is a Dermatologist?

Dermatologists are doctors that specialise in all aspects of skin conditions — from skin cancer management to medical, surgical and cosmetic treatments. The Australasian College of Dermatologists is the government-accredited provider of such specialist training. Only fellows of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (titled FACD) are recognised as “specialists of the skin” by Medicare Australia.

Do I Need a Referral?

Yes, for medical consultations with dermatologists, if you wish to receive a Medicare rebate.

Why do I need a referral?

A referral ensures that: 1. There is clear communication between your local doctor and your specialist regarding your condition, medical history and medication. 2. You can receive your eligible Medicare rebate for the consultation and any procedures, making private specialist care more financially accessible.

Cosmetic consultations do not require a referral. There is no Medicare rebate for cosmetic procedures.

Consultation with an acne specialist GP and a skin cancer GP does not require a referral (Medicare rebate applies)

How Long is My Referral Valid For?

A referral from your GP is typically valid for twelve months. A referral from a specialist is valid for three months.

What are the Fees?

Please click here to see an indication of the fee structure.

We require payment on the day of the consultation. We can process your Medicare rebate directly to your account. We accept EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard.

Can I Claim This on My Private Health Insurance?

Private health insurance in Australia does NOT cover any out-of-hospital consultations or procedures.

How Soon Can I Get An Appointment?

We can currently offer patients a routine appointment within 3-6 months. If you feel that your condition requires more urgent attention, please email your referral to reception@northsidedermatology.com.au for triage

Can I be seen without waiting if I have an urgent condition that requires immediate attention?

There are a few ways you can access more urgent appointments:

1. To provide service for those in need, please email your referral to reception@northsidedermatology.com.au for triage. We encourage you to ensure your GP communicates why you require urgent attention. We’ll try to accommodate you as soon as we can.
2. We have a skin cancer GP run, Rapid Access Skin Cancer Clinic , that you can visit for the evaluation and treatment of any suspicious lesions that could be skin cancers.
3. We have an acne specialist GP run, Rapid Access Acne Clinic, that can provide effective solutions for mild to moderate acne. You will be fast-tracked to see a dermatologist if your acne is severe or at risk of scarring and requires medication treatment.
4. We have a Rapid Access Phototherapy Clinic that will accommodate anyone who requires phototherapy and has already been assessed and referred by another dermatologist.

What is your waitlist system?

If you are waiting a long time for your dermatologist appointment, we can place you on a waitlist system, and we’ll bring forward your appointment in case of a cancellation. Please let our reception team know if you wish to be notified.

What should I bring to my appointments with my dermatologist?

1. Your referral letter. Although a referral is not essential for you to be seen, it is necessary if you wish to claim the consultation fees from Medicare.
2. Your registration form and health questionnaire. Online registration is our preferred way of registration.
3. Any relevant previous results.
4. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow for registration if you are attending for the first time.

What should I do when I attend my appointment?

We generally advise patients not to wear makeup when attending appointments. If you must wear makeup, we can provide you with makeup remover during your consultation to assess your facial skin. Remember to bring makeup to reapply after your appointments.

I have acne; which doctor or clinician should I see?

When it comes to acne management, we have three options: 

1. An appointment with GP acne specialist, Dr Emily Tayles

Dr Tayles can discuss a full range of acne treatment options, including prescription creams, antibiotics, anti-androgen medication, oral vitamin A, and the new AviClear laser. If required, Dr Talyes will fast-track you to see a dermatologist if you require isotretinoin (oral vitamin A). A consultation with Dr Tayles does not require a referral. Fees $160 (rebate $76). You can conveniently book online for Fitzroy North (Thursday am) or ring for an appointment in Reservoir (Wednesday am). For booking with Dr Tayles, please click here 

2. Make an appointment with a dermatologist. A prescription for isotretinoin (oral vitamin A) is only available through a dermatologist. A consultation with a dermatologist costs $330 (rebate $81). Please call us to book 

3. A complimentary appointment with our AviClear laser consultant to discuss the new AviClear laser. Please click here to book 

Do you have a guide on acne management?

Please see the video below, recorded by consultant dermatologist Dr Liu, on acne management, things to consider and who to see for help.

Click here to see Dr Liu’s advice on how to manage your acne and who to see.

I have so many skin concerns I want to discuss. What should I do?

We understand that you may have several skin concerns when you attend. We recommend focusing on one problem in each consult to ensure the problem is dealt with adequately. Please let your treating dermatologist know if you have several concerns so that your doctor can address the most important concern first.

I have a cosmetic concern, but I don’t want to pay for a consultation with a dermatologist. What should I do?

You can see:  

1. Our Cosmetic nurse for a consultation. Our nurses consult for cosmetic injectables and perform procedures such as injectables, diathermy, physical treatment of acne and acne scars, and vascular and pigment lasers. Our cosmetic nurses do not prescribe medications. They can get a second opinion from a cosmetic dermatologist through photography for more challenging conditions. If your condition is beyond their scope of practice, they will direct you to a medical or cosmetic dermatologist for a consultation (consultation fees apply) 
2. Our dermal clinicians for a consultation. Our senior dermal clinicians consult for procedures such as non-prescription treatment for acne/acne scars, the non-prescription treatment for rosacea, pigmentation, skin rejuvenation, face/body contouring, and optimal skin care products, and perform procedures such as skin resurfacing lasers, TCA CROSS, and vascular and pigment lasers. Our dermal clinicians do not prescribe medications. They can get a second opinion from a cosmetic dermatologist through photography for more challenging conditions. If your condition is beyond their scope of practice, they will direct you to a medical or cosmetic dermatologist for a consultation (consultation fees apply) 

If I attend my cosmetic injectable appointment, what should I know?

We generally advise that you:

1. Do not wear makeup.
2. Stop any non-essential blood thinning tablets and supplements for one week before the appointment to minimise the chance of bruising. Please check with your doctor if this is okay before proceeding.
3. Avoid having injectables in the two weeks immediately before any important events (in case of bruising, swelling, etc).
4. Avoid fillers four weeks before and after receiving COVID vaccine.

Will my appointment be on time? How much time should I allow for?

We try our best to minimise the waiting time for your appointment. Medical appointments are different from other appointments, as more complex problems and urgent procedures often put the doctors behind schedule. We advise patients to allow an hour of time in case there is a delay or they require extra treatment/procedure when attending their appointments. You can ring our friendly receptionist to check if your doctor is running on time.

I want to attend for skin cancer surveillance. What’s the difference between Northside Dermatology and a skin cancer clinic?

Northside Dermatology is led by specialist dermatologists. 

If you wish to attend the clinic for skin checks, we have two options for you: 

1.  See a specialist dermatologist for high-risk skin cancer surveillance
2.  See a skin cancer GP for lower-risk skin cancer surveillance. The skin cancer GP works alongside the dermatologists who consult at Northside Dermatology and can quickly get a second opinion on tricky lesions/cases. 

The dermatologists who consult at Northside Dermatology collaborate with their GP colleagues using a shared care model. That means patients alternate yearly seeing dermatologists and GPs or skin cancer GPs for skin cancer surveillance. Please discuss this with your doctor at the time of your appointment.

What’s your cancellation policy?

Failing to attend an appointment causes inconvenience to other patients who have been waiting for an appointment. We send SMS text reminders for your appointment to minimise forgotten appointment times. A non-attendance fee of $80 is charged for missed appointments. Should you fail to attend your appointment and then wish to reschedule a subsequent appointment, you may be asked to prepay your appointment fees.

What should I do if I lose my scripts?

If your doctors recently saw you (<3 months), they can provide you with a new script. If you were seen by your doctors more than 3 months ago, then they can give a script to cover you (at your doctor’s discretion) for a month until you can be seen again. If you were seen more than six months ago, you would need to be seen by your doctor as your condition may have changed, and the medication may no longer be appropriate. There is a charge of $25 for replacement of a lost script.

My family and I have a lot of medical expenses. Can we reduce our financial burden?

We recommend that you register your family with Medicare Safety Nets. The Medicare Safety Net provides a higher Medicare rebate for out-of-hospital expenses (i.e., costs not covered by insurance, such as specialist fees, medications and CT scans). While a doctor’s visit cost remains the same, you’ll receive a higher Medicare rebate once you and your family reach the threshold. You can find out more about Medicare Safety Nets here.

If you have trouble financially with private care, your GP can refer you to a public hospital where specialist dermatologists also work. The services provided through a public hospital are paid for by the government and are entirely free to you.

Suppose you attend Northside Dermatology and wish to go to a public hospital. The specialist dermatologists will be happy to write you a referral and include any relevant past test results.

What kind of patients do you see?

The doctors who consult at Northside Dermatology see a wide range of patients and specialise in skin, hair, and nail conditions. The patients attending come from a variety of geographic locations including Whittlesea, Mernda, Doreen, Yarrambat, Hurstbridge, Greenvale, Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn to the North; Eltham, Montmorency, Lower Plenty, Ivanhoe and Eaglemont in the east; Gladstone Park, Tullamarine, Essendon and Keilor in the west; and Northcote, Brunswick, Thornbury, Fitzroy, Carlton, Clifton Hill, Alphington, Collingwood, Abbotsford and Melbourne CBD in the south and country Victoria.

What else do I need to know when I attend to see a doctor?

At Northside Dermatology, we are committed to providing modern and state-of-the-art facilities and administrative support for doctors, including consultant dermatologists and consultant specialist GPs. While our clinic handles all aspects of appointment scheduling, paperwork, and billing, it is important to understand that the doctors autonomously manage their patients and their clinical needs. Each doctor chooses the days and times they work and sets their fees. This arrangement signifies a contractor relationship, where the doctors are not employees but partners in providing healthcare services. All doctors may also offer their services at other locations. The patient’s right is to obtain their clinical notes and discuss the best location to organise their consultation or treatment with the doctor.