MBS Item · Group T8 · Skin

Item 30071 — Diagnostic Skin Biopsy

Diagnostic biopsy of skin, as an independent procedure, if the biopsy specimen is sent for pathological examination.

Schedule fee (Jul 2026)
A$62.55
✓ Fee verified November 2026 · MBS Book, July 2026 edition
Category
Group T8 (surgical operations) · skin procedure

What item 30071 is used for

Use when a biopsy — including a shave biopsy — of a lesion is required to confirm a diagnosis and would help the appropriate management of that lesion. The specimen must be sent for pathology. If a shave biopsy results in definitive excision of the lesion, only item 30071 can be claimed — not an excision item as well.

Source: MBS Book, July 2026 edition — item 30071 descriptor and explanatory notes TN.8.7. Verify the current descriptor and any restriction wording against MBS Online before billing.

Key points before billing

Independent procedure only
Item 30071 is claimable only as an independent procedure (per the descriptor and TN.8.7).
Pathology required
The biopsy specimen must be sent for pathological examination.
Aftercare period
The aftercare period for item 30071 is 2 days, not the 10 days that applies to skin excision.
Shave becoming excision
If a shave biopsy turns out to be a definitive excision of the lesion, bill 30071 only — do not add an excision item for the same lesion.

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General information only. Descriptor wording is a plain-English summary — always confirm current descriptor, restrictions, and co-claiming rules against the MBS Book before billing. Fee current at 1 July 2026; next indexation 1 July 2027. AskMyGP provides information, not billing or clinical advice.