The consultation
A consultation is an appointment in its own right: history, assessment, discussion of options and their limits, and a written plan. Its fee is confirmed when you book, so there are no surprises at reception.
If you decide not to proceed with anything, that is a complete and legitimate outcome. Consultations are not a sales step.
Why treatment prices are not listed
Two reasons. The first is clinical: the cost of a plan depends on the concern, the number of sessions and what suits your skin, so a list price would be a guess with a dollar sign on it.
The second is legal. Australian law restricts how treatments involving prescription medicines can be advertised, including price advertising and inducements such as discounts and package offers. A clinic advertising cheap prescription treatments is telling you something about how it operates.
No time-limited discounts, no package deals used as pressure, and no pricing that depends on deciding today.
What your quote includes
- The specific plan discussed at your consultation
- The number of sessions anticipated, and their spacing
- Review appointments built into the plan
- What aftercare is included and what is not
- What would change the cost, and why
On comparing clinics
Price differences usually reflect real differences: who performs the assessment, how much time you get, what governance sits behind the treatment and what happens if something goes wrong. The guide to choosing a practitioner covers what to compare beyond the number.