FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Many people in Australia worry about skin cancer with good reason. We have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with 2 out of every 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer within their lifetime.
Anyone with a risk factor for skin cancer should consider getting a whole body skin examination. Skin cancers can appear even on areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun.
Our patients are people from all walks of life. Here are some of the risk factors that increase the risk of having a skin cancer:
- A family member has had a skin cancer treated
- You have been sunburnt in the past, particularly as a child
- You have used a solarium in the past, particularly under the age of 30
- You have a large number of moles on your body
- You work outdoors or have done so in the past
- You regularly pursue an outdoor sport such as cricket, golf, surfing, running, or swimming
- You have had a skin cancer before
- You have a very fair skin which burns easily
Before Your Appointment
Prior to your appointment, please complete your New Patient Registration Form via the link below, including details of any previous skin cancer treatments:
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/forms/graceville-skin-cancer-clinic-new-patient-registration-form
Before your initial skin check, we recommend you take a moment to review your skin, scalp, and private areas, and make note of anything you would like to discuss with Dr Wayne Norval or Dr Stephanie Tang.
Please attend your appointment without makeup, artificial tan, or nail polish, as this allows your doctor to perform a thorough and unobstructed skin examination.
What to Expect During Your Skin Check
During your appointment, Dr Norval or Dr Tang will ask you to undress down to your undergarments. You will be appropriately covered with a sheet throughout the examination, ensuring your comfort and privacy at all times.
All female patients will have a chaperone present (usually a nurse or medical administration assistant).
Your doctor will perform a comprehensive skin examination using advanced tools such as the MoleMax HD system, MoleMate, or DermLite, which allow for detailed magnification and illumination of the skin. These technologies help identify subtle patterns and changes within skin lesions.
If you are aware of any areas or moles that may not be immediately visible (for example, under undergarments), please let your doctor know so they can be assessed.
After Your Appointment
Any lesions of concern will be carefully documented. If required, your doctor may recommend a biopsy, where a small sample of the lesion is taken and sent for pathological examination.
If results indicate a skin cancer or pre-cancerous lesion, you will be contacted to arrange a follow-up appointment for further treatment, such as excision.
Please note:
– We will only contact you if follow-up is required
– If you do not hear from us, no further action is needed
– Results are typically received within approximately one week, depending on the laboratory
– If a recall is required, our team will contact you within 24 hours (weekdays) to arrange an appointment
– If you have any concerns, you are always welcome to contact our team to check on your results.
To help us provide you with the most thorough skin check, please come to your appointment wearing loose, easy-to-remove clothing and minimal jewellery.
If you have noticed any areas of concern, please be sure to point these out to Dr Wayne Norval or Dr Stephanie Tang. This includes moles that have changed in appearance, become painful, or anything that simply doesn’t feel quite right. While your doctor will perform a full skin examination, patients often notice early changes themselves—so please don’t hesitate to speak up. There is no such thing as an embarrassing question.
For the best possible assessment, please also:
– Avoid wearing makeup or foundation
– Do not apply body lotion, strong perfumes, or deodorants
– Avoid shaving your legs for at least 5 days prior, as this can cause irritation or small cuts that may affect the examination
These steps allow your doctor to have a clear and unobstructed view of your skin, ensuring the most accurate assessment possible.
FEES & BILLING INFORMATION
GRACEVILLE SKIN CANCER CLINIC’S FEES:
Fees & Billing (Effective April 2026)
Graceville Skin Cancer Clinic is a fully private billing practice. This allows our doctors to provide thorough, high-quality skin cancer care without time constraints, ensuring each patient receives comprehensive assessment and treatment.
A Full Skin Check is $220.00, with a Medicare rebate of $43.90. This appointment includes a complete full-body skin examination, as well as any biopsies, excisions, and associated histopathology required following your skin check. This approach ensures there are no unexpected additional costs on the day. Please note that we no longer bulk bill DVA or Pension card holders.
If more frequent skin checks are recommended within a 12-month period, the standard consultation fee will apply for each subsequent visit.
For existing patients, Spot Check appointments are available and are $100.00 with Medicare Rebate $43.90 within your 12-month skin check period. These shorter consultations are designed for patients with specific concerns and include the assessment of up to three lesions. If you have more than three areas of concern, a full skin check appointment will be required to ensure a thorough and appropriate assessment.
As Spot Check appointments are limited to 10 minutes, bookings must be made by contacting our reception team on 07 3132 8960.
Procedures such as Biopsies and Excisions are included in the $220.00 Skin Check fee.
Biopsy only/Keloid Scar Management appointment will be $150.00 with a Medicare rebate of $43.90.
If you do not hold a valid Medicare/DVA card the costs can go into the high hundreds of dollars so please be aware you will be responsible for all fees if you do not hold a valid Medicare/DVA card. We do not take Private Health Insurance as we are a Medical Clinic under Medicare.
The actual amount will depend on the complexity of the work being done and a quote will be given to you on the day of your appointment. You will need to book a Standard Consultation ($220.00 with a $43.90 Medicare rebate) to discuss what is required with the doctor.
Our most common request is the removal of skin tags. Cosmetic Cryotherapy appointments have no Medicare rebate. Pricing as per below:
– $55.00 including GST ………………… 3 or less spots
– $110.00 including GST ………………… more than 3 spots
For Patients who do not hold a Medicare Card please note we charge $220.00 for the skin check and all histology and procedures will be privately billed due on the day of the consultation. 4Cyte Pathology will send you a seperate account. Payment is expected at the time of consultation and can be made by cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard/Visa and payment will be required at the time of your appointment. Costs can run into many hundreds of dollars. We do not take Private Health Insurance as we are a Medical Clinic under the Medicare System.
PLEASE NOTE: As part of booking an appointment to attend our clinic you accept and agree to the below terms:
1. We are a paperless practice and do not keep hard copy patient files. As a result you are required to fill in your online new patient form at least 7 days prior to attending your appointment. If you manage to get a last minute cancellation you agree to fill out the forms at the same time as booking as we do not have staff available to type in information at the time you present to the clinic. This must be done immediately. Online forms can be located at
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/forms/graceville-skin-cancer-clinic-new-patient-registration-form
2. If you wish to have us review patient files from other clinics please ensure that obtain your own records directly and these are brought to us in hard copy format at least TWO WEEKS prior to your consult. We do not insert foreign disks/usb sticks into our system as our server could be corrupted by a virus. Hard copy records regarding your skin only conditions (please do not drop off GP files containing other medical history) can be dropped into our practice for scanning onto your patient file however your skin check consultation goes for 20 minutes at a cost of $220.00 if you are requiring a longer appointment for Dr Norval or Dr Tang to review your current skin condition this is NOT included in your allocated appointment window and you will require a double appointment ($300.00 for a 40 minute consultation) with a medicare rebate of $80.10 and a deposit of $150.00 needs to be paid at the time of booking a double appointment.
TELEHEALTH SERVICES
If Dr Norval and Dr Tang needs to follow up with you after your initial Skin Check appointment and you are unable to come in for an appointment we offer bulk-billed telephone consultations for your convenience. If you wish to book a telephone appointment please email us at mail@gracevilleskincancerclinic.com.au and we will reply with 2 options for a time for this consult to occur. Please be aware our Doctors can not diagnose Skin Cancers or offer follow up treatment by phone and email. Phone appointments are in the event you have questions pertaining to after care or medication use following your face to face consultation.
Please note our Doctors will do his best to contact you at the scheduled time however unexpected delays may occur.
Please be advised that we DO NOT PRESCRIBE S8 medications either in person or by phone.
PATIENT INFORMATION
Graceville Skin Cancer Clinic runs an appointment-based system. Appointments can be made conveniently via HotDoc.
To help keep our fees affordable, we operate with a small on-site team. We therefore ask all patients to use our online booking system for making, rescheduling, or cancelling appointments. Please note that we do not offer walk-in appointments.
Dr Norval and Dr Stephanie Tang are both in high demand. Dr Norval’s books are currently closed to new patients, and he is often booked months in advance for existing patients. Due to both Dr Norval and Dr Tang’s full schedules, they are unable to return patient phone calls without a booked appointment, as interruptions can impact the care and consultation time of other patients. We appreciate your understanding that this policy helps ensure every patient receives the dedicated care and attention they deserve.
Each appointment is for one person only. If additional family members require medical attention, please make a separate booking for each. While our clinic aims to stay on schedule, the unpredictable nature of medical practice means delays can occasionally occur — particularly when urgent medical care is needed. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience.
If you are a new patient, please arrive at least 5 minutes early to ensure your Medicare and personal details are up to date. For existing patients, please arrive on time to avoid having your appointment time shortened.
If you no longer require your appointment, we kindly ask that you cancel promptly so that another patient can be offered the opportunity to attend.
At the time of booking your appointment Dr Norval and Dr Tang will discuss how your results will be given and offer any prescriptions that may be needed. Our staff are unable to provide you with your results over the phone however they will contact you to ask that you return for a recall appointment.
It is our practice policy that our Doctors do not take phone calls from patients or return patient’s phone calls. If a patient needs to speak to Dr Norval or Dr Tang they must make a face to face or telephone appointment.
Reception staff are happy to put forward requests; however, it is at the doctor’s discretion in how they choose to proceed.
This practice is designed for wheelchair access.
For your convenience car parking is available in the carpark located near the clinic as well as in the surrounding streets.
Your medical records are private and confidential and only available to authorised members of staff. All information at GRACEVILLE SKIN is managed in accordance with the National Privacy Principles of the Privacy Act available at www.privacy.gov.au/health.
If you have any concerns, complaints or suggestions about any aspect of our service we would appreciate hearing about them and will take them seriously. Please email us at mail@gracevilleskincancerclinic.com.au
Please use one of the following:
Phone: 07 3132 8960
Matters which are unable to be resolved within the practice may be referred to:
Office of the Health Ombudsman
133646 (133OHO)
complaints@oho.qld.gov.au
PO BOX 13281,
George Street
Brisbane 4003
