New statewide referral criteria for a range of children and adult dermatology conditions come into effect from 1 November 2025 in all Victorian public hospitals.
Patients can be placed on a specialist clinic wait list when a referring GP provides information that shows the referral meets the new children’s and adult dermatology criteria.
The criteria identify the information that should be included in a referral to assess the referral and direct the patient to the best service available.
The Victorian Department of Health has developed and published statewide specialist referral criteria for 11 adults and 12 children’s dermatology conditions.
Adult dermatology conditions:
- Alopecia
- Assessment of acne management
- Assessment of dermatitis (eczema) management
- Assessment of psoriasis management
- Assessment of vitiligo
- Blistering eruptions, rash of unknown cause and adverse drug reactions
- Chronic skin ulcers
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Melanoma – dermatology
- Skin and nail infections and infestations
- Skin lesions and other skin cancers – dermatology
Child dermatology conditions:
- Alopecia in children
- Assessment of acne management in children
- Assessment of dermatitis (eczema) management in children
- Assessment of psoriasis management in children
- Assessment of vitiligo in children
- Birthmarks
- Blistering eruptions, rash of unknown cause and adverse drug reactions in children
- Chronic skin ulcers in children
- Hidradenitis suppurativa in children
- Skin and nail infections and infestations in children
- Melanoma in children
- Skin lesions and other skin cancers in children
From 1 November this suite will be among 18 suites of specialist referral criteria in existence across Victoria.
GPs and other primary care providers are encouraged to check their local HealthPathways or care pathways website when making referrals – this will be the quickest way to understand for them to understand their local referral options.
It is also a helpful way to troubleshoot management of these conditions when a referral to specialist clinics is not indicated.