Your Appointment

What to expect at your initial appointment

On arrival, you’ll be greeted by our friendly reception staff. If you are a new patient, there may be some paperwork to fill out, so please arrive 5-10 minutes early.

New consults are booked for 30 minutes, whilst review patients are typically booked for 15 minutes.

While we always aim to see patients on time, the duration of consults can’t always be predicted. If we are running late, we will keep you updated as best we can.  

What should I bring to my initial appointment?

  • Referral letter (your referring doctor may also have faxed or emailed this to us beforehand so don’t worry if you don’t have one)

  • Private insurance details

  • WCA, TAC details including claim number

  • DVA or healthcare card

  • Relevant imaging such as X-Rays. This might include radiologist reports.

  • Relevant blood tests or doctors letters.

Fees & Payments

Consult fees are generally not included in private insurance coverage, although there are some exceptions such as WCA. Dr Lau charges standard surgical consult fees including $250 for a new consult, and $150 for review appointments.

A consult fee is required to be paid in full at the conclusion of the appointment. A portion of this can be refunded to you through Medicare afterwards

Cancellation Policy

Changes or cancellation of appointment are not a problem. We only ask that you contact us either via phone or email to let us know if you can’t make it.

Contact details are:

Please refer to the Contact Us section of this website for further details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment to see Dr Lau?

Appointments with Dr Lau can be made either via phone or email, through the Victorian Bone and Joint Specialists.

Contact details are:

Please refer to the Contact Us section of this website for further details

Do I need a referral to see Dr Lau?

Yes – in order for you to be seen, you will need a referral letter from another doctor – typically your GP, another specialist or an emergency physician. Sometimes, your referring doctor may have faxed or emailed your referral ahead of time so please check with the reception staff if you don’t have a physical copy.

How quickly will I be seen?

If you have an acute injury, Dr Lau will make time to see you urgently. However, for less acute presentations, we aim to see you within 2 weeks of referral.

What if I do not have my imaging?

Most of the time, Dr Lau will be able to access your radiology through the computer. It is very helpful if you have the details of your imaging such as a report, to allow quick access to them. If you have printed X-Rays, these can be useful to bring to the consult as well.

What happens if I need to have surgery?

During the consult, Dr Lau will discuss the operation with you, including the pros and cons of the procedure, and risk and benefits of it (as well as other operative and non-operative treatment options). This is known as informed consent.

After the consult, you will also meet with the clinic’s practice manager, where you will discuss logistics like timing of the operation, costs including out of pocket fees (informed financial consent) as well as hospital choice and pre-operative steps to prepare for surgery. You may also need to see an Anaesthetic doctor before the operation, depending on your general health. 

Does Dr Lau charge a gap fee?

Dr Lau follows the Australian Medical Association’s recommended fees for surgical procedures, as do the majority of surgeons in Australia. This means that even though you may have full or top cover with your private health insurer, there may be a “gap” fee charged, depending on your level of cover and the complexity of the procedure. If surgery is recommended, a fee estimate will be prepared for you as part of your informed financial consent.

Do you see uninsured patients?

Yes, Dr Lau is happy to see uninsured patients through his private practice, or alternatively through his public work at Peninsula Health. If you decide to proceed with surgery privately, a discussion of the fees and an estimate will be sent to you before proceeding.

Do you see TAC and WorkCover patients?

Yes. Dr Lau is happy to see both TAC and WorkCover patients. Please ensure you bring your claim number to the appointment to avoid out of pocket costs.

Do you see Veterans Affairs (DVA) patients?

Yes. Dr Lau is happy to see DVA patients. Please ensure you bring your health care card to avoid out of pocket costs.