Workforce
Specialist dermatologist numbers, geographic distribution, and workforce projections across Australia.
661
Specialist Dermatologists (ACD Fellows)
Includes 129 trainees in addition to fellows
~2
Dermatologists per 100,000 Population
National average. SA highest at 2.6 per 100,000 (2016 data)
91%
Practise in Metropolitan Areas
Only 9% in regional, rural, or remote Australia
90 FTE
Projected Workforce Shortfall by 2030
~15% fewer than required. Listed on Core Skills in Demand List for immigration
Dermatologists by State/Territory
| State/Territory | Share of Workforce | Per 100,000 Population |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | ~36% | ~2.3 |
| VIC | ~26% | ~2.1 |
| QLD | ~15% | ~1.8 |
| SA | ~8% | ~2.6 |
| WA | ~8% | ~1.8 |
| TAS | ~3% | ~1.5 |
| ACT | ~2% | ~2.0 |
| NT | <1% | <0.5 |
Skin Cancer Prevalence
Melanoma and keratinocyte cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data for Australia.
18,964
Estimated New Melanoma Diagnoses
~8% of all new cancer diagnoses. One every 30 minutes
1.1M+
Medicare-Paid Keratinocyte Cancer Treatments
Over 100 treatments per hour. BCC accounts for ~70%, SCC ~30%
70 per 100k
Melanoma Age-Standardised Incidence Rate
Up from 53 per 100,000 in 2000. Males 86, females 56 per 100,000
1 in 14
Lifetime Melanoma Risk (Men, by Age 85)
1 in 21 for women. Highest melanoma rate globally
90%+
Five-Year Survival Rate (Stage I/II Melanoma)
Drops to ~26% at stage IV. Advanced melanoma survival improved from <10% to >55%
~1,340
Melanoma Deaths Per Year
Combined melanoma + keratinocyte cancer deaths: ~2,105 in 2023
2 in 3
Australians Diagnosed with Skin Cancer by Age 70
69% lifetime risk. Keratinocyte cancer lifetime risk: ~73% men, 65% women
Consultation Costs & Medicare
Private dermatology fees, Medicare rebates, out-of-pocket costs, and trends.
$297
Average Initial Consultation Fee
Up 41% from ~$210 in 2017. Range $280-$450 across clinics
$84.15
Medicare Rebate (Initial Consultation)
Gap can be up to 4x the rebate amount. Rebate rose only $11.40 since 2017
$166
Average Follow-Up Fee
Up 55% from $107 in 2017. Medicare rebate only $42.30
$499M
PBS Spending on Melanoma Systemic Therapies
Seven drugs for advanced melanoma. Compared to $62M prevention spend over 20 years
1 in 10
Australians Avoided Specialist Due to Cost
Patients deciding not to see specialists due to out-of-pocket expenses
Access & Wait Times
Patient access challenges, wait times, and geographic disparities in dermatology care.
2+ months
Minimum Wait for Dermatologist Appointment
No central website for wait times or cost comparison. Must call clinics individually
1 in 25
Australians with a Chronic Skin Condition
Includes eczema, psoriasis, and other chronic conditions requiring ongoing specialist care
15.9%
GP Consultations Involving Skin Conditions
15.9 per 100 GP consultations. Most managed in primary care without specialist referral
8%
GP Referral Rate for Skin Problems
38% less likely to refer skin problems vs non-skin problems. 70% of referrals go to dermatologists
66%
GPs Never Use Dermoscopy
Diagnostic gap in primary care for skin cancer detection
Common Skin Conditions
Prevalence data for eczema, psoriasis, and other dermatological conditions in Australia.
16.4%
Lifetime Prevalence of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Current prevalence 6.3%. ~600,000 Australians have moderate-to-severe disease
26.6%
Childhood Eczema Prevalence (Age 1)
1 in 6 children at ages 4, 6, or 10 have current eczema
2.3-6.6%
Psoriasis Prevalence in Adults
Among the highest prevalence rates globally. Physician-diagnosed: 2.38%
Cosmetic & Aesthetic Dermatology
Market size, growth trends, and consumer demand for cosmetic dermatology in Australia.
$239M
Aesthetic Devices Market Size
Expected to reach $394M by 2030 at 9.94% CAGR
$2.7B
Facial Injectable Market Size
Projected to reach $11.8B by 2030 at 24.1% CAGR
45%
Australians Considering Cosmetic Procedures
Botox, lasers, injectables, and fillers. Strong demand for non-surgical treatments
11%+ CAGR
Dermatology Laser Market Growth
Projected 2026-2031. Ultrasound devices fastest-growing subcategory at 12.49% CAGR
Teledermatology & Digital
Telehealth adoption, diagnostic accuracy, and digital access trends in Australian dermatology.
65%
Teledermatology Referrals Managed Remotely
Discharged with advice. 4.6% later re-referred for in-person consultation
76.4%
Teledermatology Diagnostic Concordance
Comparable with international studies for diagnostic and treatment accuracy
14,000+
Teledermatology Patients Consulted
Growing access option. Appointments typically available within days vs months
Sources
Verified directly from source| Awaiting verification