THE PREMIER PROVIDER
OF DERMATOLOGY SERVICES IN DARWIN
Welcome to Darwin Dermatology
Darwin Dermatology is the premier provider of Dermatology services for the greater Darwin region. Born and raised in Darwin, Dr. Dev Tilakaratne is a specialist Dermatologist who has an intrinsic understanding of skin in the tropical context of Darwin. He established Darwin Dermatology in 2016 and since then, the team at Darwin Dermatology have been providing the highest level of care for all dermatologic conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, childhood skin conditions and skin cancers. Other services provided include patch testing for skin allergies, phototherapy utilising the reputable Daavlin 3 Series Narrowband UVB Phototherapy machine, nanofractional radiofrequency treatments for acne scars and photoaging, and surgical removal of skin cancers. Being a specialist service, a referral is required from a General Practitioner or other specialist medical practitioner.
SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
Please note that due to a high volume of emails, we are unable to schedule appointments for new clients via email. Once we receive a referral from your doctor, it will be triaged by our team and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment. We kindly ask that you allow up to two weeks for this process.
Are you interstate or outside of the greater Darwin/Palmerston region? Online consultations are now available through Dermo Direct
Darwin's Trusted Dermatologists
Things to note about Darwin Dermatology
We welcome you to our elegant and newly refurbished premises in Tiwi, down the road from Royal Darwin Hospital.
Average Waiting Times
As the home of the only NT-based private dermatologist, Darwin Dermatology is in high demand. Our permanent dermatologist is supported by visiting interstate dermatologists, but due to limited availability, the average waiting time for an appointment can be up to 12 months.
In most cases, follow-up appointments are not provided. Instead, the dermatologist will communicate a detailed management plan to your referring doctor, who will assist with your ongoing care.
As a teaching practice, we actively support the training of junior doctors and nursing staff in dermatology. This means:
- You may be contacted via phone, SMS, or email by a registrar, nurse, or other team members before or after your appointment.
- Your consultation may be scheduled with a Dermatology Registrar—a doctor undergoing specialist training in dermatology.
We remain dedicated to expanding dermatology services in the NT. We continue to search for additional dermatologists to join our team while maintaining our commitment to training future specialists. Our goal is to showcase the benefits of living and working in Darwin and ensure ongoing dermatology care for the community.
Thank you for your patience and support!
Dermatology Registrar Program
As one of Darwin’s most trusted dermatology clinics, Darwin Dermatology is committed to not only providing exceptional care but also ensuring the future of dermatology services in the Northern Territory. We are proud to be at the forefront of dermatology training by mentoring the next generation of specialists.
As part of this commitment, we have been selected to co-host the NT’s first-ever permanent Dermatology Registrar positions. Each year, we welcome new Dermatology Registrars from the South Australian Faculty of the Australasian College of Dermatologists for a 12-month training period.
To help keep our waitlist to 12 months or less, all appointments are scheduled with a Dermatology Registrar, under the supervision of a Consultant Dermatologist. This ensures that patients receive high-quality care while also supporting the development of future dermatologists.
The Referral Process
To begin the referral process, you or your GP can email or fax a copy of your referral to our clinic. Once received, the referral will be reviewed by the specialist for triaging. After this step is completed, our reception team will contact you to schedule an appointment.
While it is possible to see a specialist without a referral, please note that appointments without a valid referral are not eligible for a Medicare rebate. To ensure you can claim your rebate, we recommend obtaining a referral from your GP before your appointment.
Referral Renewal Requirements
- GP referrals: Valid for 12 months from the date of your first consultation.
- Specialist referrals: Valid for 3 months from the date of your first consultation.
To avoid disruptions in your care, please keep track of your referral renewal dates. While our reception team will make every effort to send reminders, this is a courtesy service, and we cannot guarantee notification. We recommend setting personal reminders to ensure your referral remains current.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
To ensure a smooth and effective consultation, please bring the following items with you:
- Medications & Treatments – Bring all creams, skin solutions, and tablets you have used in the past.
- Photos – If applicable, bring photos of your skin condition. For easy access during your consultation, we recommend saving them in a dedicated folder on your phone.
- Appropriate Clothing – If you are attending a skin check, wear clothing that is easy to remove and put back on.
- Makeup-Free Skin – If possible, remove any foundation before your appointment to allow for a clearer assessment.
Bringing these items will help our team make a more informed assessment and provide the best possible care.
Repeat Prescription Policy
We have recently updated our policy regarding requests for repeat prescriptions outside of an appointment.
We understand that certain medications can only be prescribed by a specialist and that interruptions in treatment may impact your progress. Whenever possible, we will aim to schedule an appointment to review your condition and issue a prescription if appropriate.
If an appointment is not feasible, the doctor will assess the request. If deemed appropriate and safe, a prescription may be issued within 7-10 business days, subject to a $20 fee. In most cases, this will be on the condition that a follow-up appointment is scheduled.
Please note that prescription requests are not guaranteed and may require an in-person consultation to determine the suitability of a repeat prescription.
SMS Appointment Reminders
You will receive an SMS reminder 48 hours before your appointment. If no response is received, a follow-up reminder will be sent 24 hours prior.
If we do not receive confirmation of your appointment, we reserve the right to cancel it and offer the time slot to another patient in need.
Please ensure you respond promptly to secure your appointment.
Our SMS appointment reminders are a courtesy service provided to help you keep track of your upcoming appointments. However, please note that this service should not be relied upon as your sole reminder.
We encourage all patients to record their appointment dates and times in their personal calendar to avoid missed appointments.
Phototherapy Locations
We currently offer bulk-billed phototherapy treatments at our main clinic in Tiwi, as well as at locations in Darwin City and Alice Springs.
Please note that these alternative locations are dedicated solely to phototherapy treatments—consultations are not conducted at these sites.
Further details regarding phototherapy sessions will be provided during your consultation.
Other specialists working out of Darwin Dermatology
Darwin Dermatology not only provides outstanding dermatology services, we also offer specialist services in gastroenterology, kidney disease, immunology, and general medicine. For more information, visit www.ologist.com.au
Late Cancellation and Missed Appointment Policy
Our goal is to provide high-quality healthcare to all our patients. Late cancellations, missed appointments, and no-shows not only disrupt our schedule but also prevent other patients from receiving timely care. To ensure fairness and efficiency, please take note of our policy regarding missed appointments.
Appointment Cancellations
When you book an appointment, you are reserving a time that is no longer available to other patients. If you need to cancel, we kindly ask that you notify us as soon as possible.
- Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance via phone or email. This allows us to offer the appointment slot to another patient in need.
- If a patient misses an appointment for the first time, a note will be made on their file.
- For any subsequent missed appointments, a $50 missed appointment fee will apply.
How to Cancel Your Appointment
To cancel your appointment, please contact our reception team:
Phone: 08 8945 7086 or 08 8945 9519 (Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Email: reception@darwindermatology.com.au
Late Cancellations & No-Shows
- A late cancellation occurs when an appointment is cancelled less than four (4) hours before the scheduled time.
- A no-show is when a patient misses an appointment without notifying us.
- In either case, a $50 missed appointment fee will be charged.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us provide timely care to all our patients. Thank you for your understanding.
