Quick answer
An Australian skin check takes 15–30 minutes. Your GP or a skin cancer clinic doctor examines every patch of skin head-to-toe using a dermatoscope, photographs anything suspicious, and biopsies or refers if needed. Many GPs bulk-bill; private clinics typically charge $150–$250 AUD with a partial Medicare rebate.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Standard skin check: 15–30 minutes, fully clothed except the area being examined.
- GP skin checks may be bulk-billed; clinic checks typically $150–$250 AUD.
- Medicare rebates available for eligible item numbers (e.g. 23, 36).
- Annual checks recommended for over-40s and anyone with risk factors.
- Monthly self-checks and free AI skin checks bridge the gap between visits.
Who needs a skin check and how often
Cancer Council Australia recommends a yearly professional skin check for anyone over 40, anyone with lots of moles, fair skin, a history of bad sunburn, an outdoor job, or a personal or family history of skin cancer. Higher-risk patients may need a check every 6 months. Everyone, regardless of age, should run a monthly self-check at home.
Bulk-billed GP skin checks vs skin cancer clinics
- GP — your usual doctor. Often bulk-billed. Best first stop; can refer to dermatology or surgery.
- Skin cancer clinic — GP-led clinic focused on skin only. Usually private fee + Medicare rebate. Dermatoscopy and same-day excisions standard.
- Dermatologist — specialist referral, longer waitlist, used for complex pigmented lesions or unclear results.
What the doctor actually does
You undress to your underwear in a private room. The doctor works systematically from your scalp down to your soles using a dermatoscope — a handheld magnifier with polarised light that reveals structures invisible to the naked eye. Anything suspicious is photographed, measured and either biopsied that visit, or booked for excision. The visit ends with a written summary of what was found and when to come back.
Have a spot you want to check right now?
Run ScanSkinAI's free 30-second AI skin check while you wait for your appointment — browser-based, no signup.
Medicare rebates and out-of-pocket costs (AUD)
- Bulk-billed GP skin check: $0 out of pocket if available.
- Private GP skin check: typically $80–$120 AUD; Medicare rebate ~$40.
- Skin cancer clinic check: $150–$250 AUD; Medicare rebate ~$40–$80.
- Mole mapping / total body photography: $250–$500 AUD, rarely rebated.
- Excision biopsy: $200–$600 AUD per lesion; partial Medicare rebate.
For a deeper Medicare walk-through, see the Medicare skin check guide.
What to do between professional checks
Monthly self-checks using the ABCDE rule are the standard between-visits routine. ScanSkinAI's free browser-based AI skin check is a complementary wellbeing and monitoring tool — useful for triaging a worrying spot in 30 seconds and deciding whether it's worth seeing your GP. It is not a diagnostic device and does not replace professional care. See our monthly self-check routine and mole mapping comparison.
Wondering what you'll pay? See our full breakdown of skin check costs in Australia — GP, clinic, dermatologist and mole-mapping fees with Medicare rebates.
"The most useful thing you can do between skin checks is notice change — and the cheapest way to notice change is to look."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Some GPs bulk-bill skin checks for eligible patients (especially pensioners and Medicare card holders). Dedicated skin cancer clinics usually charge a private fee with a partial Medicare rebate. Ring ahead to confirm.
A standard GP skin check takes 15–20 minutes. A full-body check at a skin cancer clinic with dermoscopy is typically 20–30 minutes, longer if mole mapping is included.
Cancer Council Australia suggests every 12 months if you're over 40 or have risk factors (fair skin, lots of moles, previous skin cancer, family history). Higher-risk patients may need 6-monthly checks.
Your GP is the first stop and can refer for biopsy. A skin cancer clinic is GP-led but focused on skin only, usually with dermoscopy and same-day excisions. Dermatologists handle complex or referred cases.
Yes — monthly self-checks using the ABCDE rule are the standard. A free browser-based AI skin check is a useful between-visits triage tool, but not a replacement for professional review.
Skin checks by Australian city
Skin-check availability, wait times and out-of-pocket fees vary by city. The overall picture — GP first, skin cancer clinic for dermoscopy, dermatologist by referral — is the same nationwide. Choose your city below for local context.
Sydney
Sydney has the broadest choice of skin cancer clinics, especially across the Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West. Wait times at large chain clinics are typically shortest during weekdays. Many GP practices in metro Sydney offer skin checks; some may bulk-bill eligible patients, and dedicated skin cancer clinics generally charge a private fee with a partial Medicare rebate. Start with your GP for a referral or search "skin cancer clinic near me" in your suburb.
Melbourne
Melbourne has a dense network of dedicated skin cancer clinics in the CBD, inner-north (Fitzroy, Carlton) and bayside suburbs. Public dermatology waitlists via the Alfred and Royal Melbourne can be lengthy, so most people go private for a routine skin check. A GP or skin cancer clinic is the usual first step; some GPs may bulk-bill eligible patients. Bring a list of any moles or spots that concern you.
Brisbane
Brisbane and South-East Queensland see some of Australia's highest melanoma rates, so professional skin checks are widely available. Skin cancer clinics are common across the Brisbane CBD, northside (Chermside, Aspley) and southside (Carindale, Mount Gravatt), typically with next-week availability. Some GPs may bulk-bill eligible patients; ring ahead to confirm.
Perth
Perth has a strong network of skin cancer clinics across the metro area — including Subiaco, Joondalup and Mandurah — plus general-practice skin checks in most suburbs. Wait times are usually shorter than the east coast, but summer periods can book out. Start with your GP or a local skin cancer clinic; some may bulk-bill eligible patients.
Not sure whether to see a GP first or go straight to a clinic? A GP visit is the standard starting point Australia-wide.