Appointments & Fees

Which appointment should I book?

• New Patients: First appointment is 30 minutes for a comprehensive review.
• Standard Appointments: Up to 15 minutes for one main issue, a review, prescription or straightforward concern.
• Longer Appointments: 15–35 minutes for several concerns, a complex problem or something likely to need more time.
• Skin cancer checks: 30 minutes; book online.

Special Appointments

For Blue Book checks, childhood vaccinations, ear syringing, procedures or other appointments needing nursing support, call (02) 4237 7502 so reception can arrange the right appointment.

Fees for Appointments

GPs consulting at Kiama Downs generally charge an out-of-pocket cost, or gap fee, for their care.

The fees below apply to the GP registrars employed by Kiama Downs Medical Practice. Independent GPs consulting from Kiama Downs set their own fees, which can be found through their websites, profiles or booking information.

After payment, your Medicare rebate is usually returned on the spot or within one business day.

Concession Card Holders

Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card holders receive a $20 discount.

The Extended Medicare Safety Net

The Extended Medicare Safety Net can provide higher Medicare rebates for eligible out-of-hospital services once your out-of-pocket costs reach the annual threshold.

In 2026, the threshold is:

• $860 for concession cardholders and families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A
• $2,777 for the general threshold

Once the Extended Medicare Safety Net applies, Medicare generally pays an additional benefit of 80% of the remaining out-of-pocket cost, subject to Medicare benefit caps.

Families and couples can register together for the Medicare Safety Net so their eligible costs are combined.

Health Assessments, Blue Book Checks & Care Plans

Nurse-led Health Assessments and Blue Book checks are bulk billed.

Care plans are not bulk billed. Normal appointment fees and gap fees apply according to the length of your appointment, as shown in the fee table above.

Nursing Care & Fees

Nurse-led Health Assessments and Blue Book checks are bulk billed.

Some nursing services attract a fee. Wound dressings are $25 and ear syringing is $50. Some medical procedures may also attract a fee.

If you are unsure whether a nursing fee applies, please ask reception when booking.

Phone & Video Appointments

If you’re registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs Medical Practice

You can get Medicare refunds for all phone and video calls under 60 minutes.

Can I register?
You can register if you have had 2 or more face-to-face visits with any GP or nurse at Kiama Downs in the past 2 years, OR if your parent/guardian or child is already registered at Kiama Downs.

How to register?
Register for MyMedicare by clicking here now.

See Phone & Video Medicare eligibility details

If you’re not registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs

Medicare refunds depend on extra government rules if you are not registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs.

Phone calls (up to 15 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if you have seen a GP or nurse at Kiama Downs in person within the past 12 months, OR if the appointment is for a child under 12 months old.

Phone calls (up to 55 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if your call is about any of these topics:

• STI screening
• Fertility or pregnancy planning
• Contraception
• Sexual health
• Hepatitis B, C, or HIV
• If you have an eating disorder (only every 3 months)

Video calls (up to 55 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if:

• You have seen a GP/nurse here in person within the past 12 months
• OR the person for the appointment is under 12 months old
• OR your call is about: STI screening, fertility or pregnancy planning, contraception, sexual health, Hepatitis B/C/HIV, or eating disorders (only every 3 months)

Repeat Prescriptions & Referrals

The options below are for repeat prescriptions and repeat referrals — not new medications or first referrals to new specialists.

1. 1. GP Appointment

   Book a GP appointment if you need a prescription or referral and would also like your GP to review your health or discuss other concerns.

   Phone and video GP appointments may also be available depending on Medicare eligibility.

   Book GP Appointment

   Gap fee: $55–$75

2. 2. Online Repeat Prescription or Referral Request

   For appropriate repeat prescriptions or repeat referrals, use HotDoc and select Repeat Prescription or Repeat Referral.

   Request Online

   Gap fee: $35

   Online repeat prescription or referral requests will be declined if:

   • you have not seen a GP at Kiama Downs within the last 6 months
   • you request the prescription or referral from a GP you have not seen within the last 6 months
   • the GP considers that a consultation is required before the prescription can safely or appropriately be issued
   • the request is for pain medication
   • the request is for antibiotics
   • the referral is to a specialist you have not seen before

   These online requests are intended for straightforward repeat prescriptions and repeat referrals where your GP already knows your medical history and considers it appropriate to issue the prescription or referral without another consultation.

   If your request does not meet these requirements, please book a GP appointment instead.

Results of Pathology and Imaging Tests

If your GP arranges blood tests, X-rays, scans or other investigations, they should explain what happens next.

You should receive a message from your GP either:

• asking you to return to discuss the result, or
• advising ‘no action’, meaning to continue with the plan discussed at your previous appointment.

Results are also usually available through My Health Record after they have been processed.

Normal test results do not mean that an ongoing problem no longer needs medical attention. If your GP has asked you to return or see another specialist, please make sure you keep this appointment. As always, if you start becoming unwell please also refer to our After Hours & Urgent Care advice.

Recalls and Reminders

We may contact you about follow-up care, screening, health checks, results or other services recommended by your GP.

Please make sure your contact details are kept up to date.

If you do not wish to receive routine recalls or reminders, please let us know.

Management of Health Information

Your medical record is confidential.

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal health information and ensure it is available only to authorised people involved in your care.

Staff may ask you to confirm details such as your name, address and date of birth to reduce the risk of mistaken identity and protect your privacy.

We regularly communicate with pathology providers, specialists, hospitals and other health services involved in patient care. Information is shared with your authority, or where otherwise permitted or required by law.

You can request access to your own health information in accordance with Australian privacy requirements.

A copy of our Privacy Policy is available at reception.

Contact & Visit Us

After Hours & Urgent Care

Emergencies

For a medical emergency, call 000 or attend the nearest emergency department.

Non-urgent free health advice

• Healthdirect 1800 022 222
• Youthline (02) 9633 3666
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

During opening hours

Call us on (02) 4237 7502, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:15pm.

After hours

Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.

If you are advised to seek non-urgent after-hours medical care, please either:

• North of the Minnamurra River Bridge: Call Wollongong Radio Doctor on (02) 4228 5522
• South of the Minnamurra River Bridge: Call Shellharbour Hospital Emergency Department on (02) 4295 2500

Urgent contacts and support

• Child Protection Helpline: 132 111
• NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
• NSW Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26
• NSW Sexual Violence Helpline (formerly NSW Rape Crisis): 1800 424 017
• Victims Access Line: 1800 633 063

Missed Appointments

Please let us know as early as possible if you cannot attend your appointment.

Medicare does not pay your nurse or GP for time reserved for an appointment you do not attend.

Full fees may apply to appointments missed without at least two hours’ notice, unless there are extenuating circumstances.