Consultation fees:
A cosmetic consultation at this practice has a fee. This page explains why, what the fee covers, what happens if you decide not to proceed, and how it compares to the “free consultation” model common in the industry.
The short answer: a consultation with a registered medical practitioner is a medical service, and medical services have a fee. The longer answer is worth reading.
MBBS · Registered Medical Practitioner · Ahpra MED0002627622
A consultation fee applies for every consultation at this practice, confirmed when you book. It reflects the medical time and expertise you receive: a full clinical assessment, discussion of your options including doing nothing, written consent documentation if you proceed, and honest advice regardless of whether that advice leads to booking a procedure. The fee is payable whether or not you decide to proceed with any treatment. Cosmetic consultations are generally not eligible for Medicare rebate. If you decide not to proceed, no follow-up sales calls occur.
Why cosmetic consultations
at a medical practice have a fee
A medical consultation has a fee for the same reason any medical service does. It is a professional service delivered by a qualified practitioner over dedicated appointment time.
Practitioner time
30 to 45 minutes of one-to-one time with a registered medical doctor. That time cannot be spent seeing another patient. It is dedicated to you.
Clinical assessment
Not a sales pitch. A proper medical assessment of your concern, medical history, examination findings, and whether cosmetic intervention is appropriate.
Information
Discussion of your options in plain language, realistic outcomes, risks, alternatives, and the option of doing nothing.
Documentation
Notes in your clinical file, photographs as clinical record, and consent documentation if you proceed. Legal and regulatory requirement.
Infrastructure
Clinical space, equipment, sterilisation, medical indemnity, record-keeping systems, compliance framework.
Honest advice
Including advice not to proceed where that is the appropriate recommendation. A practitioner paid for the assessment is not under commercial pressure to recommend procedures.
Free consultations at other clinics:
what you may be paying for indirectly
The “free consultation” model is common in beauty-focused cosmetic clinics. It is worth understanding what that model actually looks like from the inside.
A free consultation is not free. The cost is recouped through one of the following:
- Higher procedure prices — cost built into procedure fee, so patients who proceed subsidise those who don't
- Volume-based pressure to book — creates pressure on practitioner and practice to recommend and book procedures
- Shorter appointments — typically much shorter than paid medical consultations
- Less experienced staff — consultation may be conducted by staff other than who performs the procedure
- Delegated procedures — free consultations book procedures performed by less qualified staff
The free consultation model is not necessarily bad, but it is not free, and the trade-offs are real. A patient who understands what they are paying for indirectly can make a better decision about where to attend.
What happens if you
decide not to proceed
The consultation fee is payable whether or not you decide to proceed with a procedure. Same as any other medical consultation — you pay for the medical time and assessment you have received, not for a subsequent purchase.
If you decide not to proceed
The consultation is complete. Fee settled at time of consultation. No follow-up sales calls. Your clinical record retained — return anytime. If medical referral needed, arranged. No further charges.
If you take time to think
Notes remain in clinical record. If you return within reasonable time (typically 6 months) for same discussion, review appointment may be shorter and correspondingly costed. If circumstances materially changed, fresh consultation may be needed.
If you proceed at consultation
Consultation fee separate from any procedure fee. Procedure fee discussed openly at consultation, in writing, before any consent. Time to consider offered before booking.
Medicare rebates and
health fund coverage
The consultation fee is not billed through Medicare or health funds; it is a private fee, payable at the time of consultation.
Cosmetic consultations are generally not eligible for Medicare rebate. Medicare covers medical services for medical purposes; purely cosmetic services do not meet this criterion.
If a finding at consultation indicates a medical rather than cosmetic issue (suspicious lesion, medical skin condition, functional problem), that part of the assessment may be eligible through appropriate referral or coding. Discussed at consultation.
Cosmetic procedures generally not covered. Specific policies vary. Contact your health fund directly for information about your policy.
Payment, deposits
and cancellation
Payment methods
Debit card, credit card (Visa/Mastercard), EFTPOS, cash (advise at booking). Payment due at time of consultation. Receipts always provided.
Consultation booking
No deposit required to book a consultation. 24 hours notice requested for reschedule. Same-day cancellations may attract fee, discussed at booking.
Procedure bookings
A deposit may be required to secure procedure booking. Applied against procedure fee if you proceed. Refund policy discussed and confirmed in writing at booking.
Withdrawal of consent
Separate from cancellation policy. You retain right to withdraw consent up to procedure beginning, without penalty. Consultation fees for medical assessment already provided remain payable.
Payment plans
Not offered for consultations. Consultations are single-fee appointments, paid at time of service. For procedures, any arrangements discussed transparently at consultation.
Receipts
Provided for all payments. Where needed for insurance, tax, or personal records, please ask. Receipts include practitioner details and payment breakdown.
If cost is
a barrier
Fee concerns are a legitimate topic. Being asked to pay a consultation fee is not a barrier to being treated well. If cost is preventing appropriate care, discuss it.
- Discuss it openly. Contact the practice by phone or email to discuss your circumstances. In some cases, arrangements can be made.
- Consider whether a GP assessment is appropriate first. If your concern may be medical (skin lesions, persistent conditions, functional problems), GP assessment is Medicare-rebated.
- Consider whether the timing is right. A consultation is worth attending when you are seriously considering a procedure, not before.
- Consider referral pathways. Where a medical rather than cosmetic issue is suspected, referral to a public dermatologist may be an option through your GP.
Questions patients
ask about fees
If your question is not answered here, contact the practice directly.
A consultation with a registered medical practitioner is a medical service, and medical services have a fee. Free consultations at other clinics are recouped through higher procedure prices, pressure to book, shorter appointments, or delegated care. The paid consultation model allows honest advice regardless of whether that advice leads to booking a procedure.
30 to 45 minutes of one-to-one time with Dr Hawli, full clinical assessment, discussion of options including doing nothing, realistic outcome and risks, written summary of recommendation, consent documentation preparation if you proceed, all clinical record-keeping, and referral arrangement where appropriate.
Cosmetic consultations are generally not eligible for Medicare rebate. Where a finding at consultation indicates a medical rather than cosmetic issue, that part of the assessment may be eligible through appropriate referral or coding. This is discussed at consultation if relevant.
Cosmetic consultations are generally not covered by private health insurance. Specific policies vary. Contact your health fund directly for information about your policy.
Payment is due at the time of consultation. Debit card, credit card, EFTPOS or cash accepted.
The consultation fee is settled at the time of consultation. No follow-up sales calls occur. Your clinical record is retained and you can return at any point in the future. If a medical referral is needed, it is arranged. No further charges apply.
No deposit is required for a consultation booking. For procedures, a deposit may be required and the policy is discussed transparently at booking.
For consultations: 24 hours notice is requested for reschedule or cancellation. Same-day cancellations may attract a fee, discussed at booking. All policies provided in writing at booking.
Yes. Receipts are provided for all payments. Where you need a receipt for insurance, tax, or personal record purposes, please ask.
Discuss it openly with the practice. In some cases, arrangements can be made. Alternatively, a GP assessment may be an appropriate first step for medical concerns, and is Medicare-rebated.
Cosmetic practice
in Glenroy, Melbourne
Level 1, 10 Glenroy Road, Glenroy VIC 3046. Close to Glenroy Station on the Craigieburn line and the Pascoe Vale Road corridor.
Consulting hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 to 17:00.
Registered medical practitioner, Ahpra registration MED0002627622. Level 1 Certification, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
Last reviewed: [insert month year] · Next review due: [insert month year]
A medical fee.
This page describes the consultation fee structure at Tajmeel Cliniq. All consultations are conducted personally by Dr Ibrahim Hawli, MBBS (Ahpra MED0002627622). The consultation fee is confirmed when you book. Cosmetic consultations are generally not eligible for Medicare rebate. Individual circumstances vary. Surgery is not performed at this practice. Any decision to proceed with a procedure follows an individual consultation and assessment with a registered medical practitioner.