In short: our Burwood East podiatry clinic runs from Guardian Medical Centre, Shop G6b Burwood One (next door to Aldi), East Burwood VIC 3151. Appointments are made online through our booking page, or by phone on (03) 9111 0085. You do not need a referral to see us, unless you are a DVA Gold Card holder or claiming through WorkCover.
Opening hours
- Wednesday 8.30am–6pm — every week
- Monday 8.30am–1pm — fortnightly
- Friday 8.30am–6pm, alternating with 8.30am–1pm — fortnightly
Wednesday is the only day here that runs every week. Monday and Friday alternate, so if you are planning around one of those, ring first and we will tell you which week is which rather than have you make the trip for nothing.
Finding us inside Burwood One
Guardian Medical Centre sits inside the Burwood One shopping centre, and we consult from Shop G6b on the ground floor. The simplest landmark is Aldi: the medical centre is immediately next door to it, so if you can find the Aldi shopfront you have found us. Patients who have not been to the centre before sometimes look for a standalone clinic on Burwood Highway and drive past twice, so head into the shopping centre itself rather than scanning the street frontage.
Parking is the part most patients mention. You use the centre’s own car park rather than circling for a kerbside space, and there is usually a bay within a short walk of the Aldi entrance. Because everything else at Burwood One is a few steps away, a lot of people stack the appointment with the rest of their day, dropping a script at the pharmacy or doing the grocery shop straight after their treatment.
If you are coming by public transport, the Burwood Highway corridor is well served by trams and buses, and the stops on the highway are a short walk from the centre entrance. Everything at our end is on one level once you are inside the shopping centre walkway, so there are no stairs to negotiate between the car park and the consulting room. If you use a wheelchair, a walking frame or need extra time getting in and out of the chair, say so when you call and we will set the appointment up accordingly.
What we treat at this clinic
Burwood East is a general podiatry clinic, which means most of what walks through the door is everyday foot trouble treated properly rather than anything exotic. That includes heel and arch pain, forefoot pain, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, thickened or painful nails, blisters, warts, fungal nails, and the knee or hip pain that sometimes traces back to how the foot loads.
We also handle the ongoing work: diabetes-related foot assessments with circulation and nerve testing, routine care for feet that are hard to reach or hard to see, sports injuries such as shin splints and stress fractures, and both custom and prefabricated orthotics when the assessment shows they will actually change something. Footwear advice is part of nearly every consultation here, and with Aldi and the rest of the centre on the doorstep it is easy to bring the shoes you actually wear in to be looked at.
Some treatments are best done with equipment that lives at a particular site. We use an FDA-cleared GenesisPlus Nd:YAG 1064nm laser for fungal nail infections and for stubborn warts. If laser looks like the right option for you, we will explain how it works, what the sessions involve and which of our clinics to attend for it, so nobody drives to the wrong address.
What happens at your first visit
A first appointment starts with the story: what hurts, when it started, what makes it worse, what you have already tried, and what you need your feet to do. From there we look at the foot and lower limb properly, check skin and nails, feel for the tender structures, test the joints through their range, and watch how you stand and walk. If footwear is part of the problem, that comes out here.
Wherever it is possible we treat on the day. Nail and skin problems are usually dealt with in the same visit, painful callus is debrided, an ingrown edge can often be resolved on the spot, and padding or strapping can settle an irritable heel enough to get you through the week. Then you leave with a plan in plain language: what the diagnosis is, what you do at home, what we do next time, and roughly how long it should take before things change.
Bring the shoes you spend most of your day in, plus your sports or work shoes if they are different. Also bring your health fund card for on-the-spot claiming, any GP care plan paperwork, your DVA card if you hold one, and a list of your medications if you are being seen for diabetes-related care.
Who we look after around Burwood East
This clinic draws from the eastern suburbs around the centre: Burwood, Burwood East, Vermont South, Blackburn, Box Hill South, Glen Waverley and Mount Waverley. Because it is inside a shopping centre rather than tucked down a side street, it tends to attract people who want the visit to fit around the rest of the day.
In practice that means three groups turn up more often than any others. Older residents come for regular nail and callus care and for diabetes checks, and the flat walk in from the car park matters to them. Families come in after school and on weekends, often for growing pains, heel pain in active kids, or a shoe question before the school year starts, which is worth reading up on in our guide to choosing school shoes. And there is a steady stream of people on their feet all day for work, or running and walking on the local shared paths, who want an injury sorted before it becomes chronic. If you are after a different site, our Clayton clinic is the closest alternative to the south, and all four sites are listed on the locations page.
Referrals, rebates and payment
Anyone can book directly. The two exceptions are DVA Gold Card holders and WorkCover patients, who both need a referral before the appointment. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis or vascular disease, your GP may be able to put you on an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, which attracts a Medicare rebate towards podiatry, so it is worth asking at your next GP visit.
We accept all major Australian health funds and run HICAPS at every clinic, so your rebate is claimed on the spot and you only pay the gap. Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS are all accepted. If you are unsure what applies to your situation, our FAQ page covers the common cases, or just ask when you call.
Common questions
Where exactly is the clinic inside Burwood One?
Guardian Medical Centre, Shop G6b, on the ground floor of the Burwood One shopping centre in East Burwood. It is directly next door to Aldi, which is the easiest thing to aim for when you arrive.
Is parking easy at the Burwood East clinic?
Yes, you use the shopping centre car park rather than looking for a space on the street, and the walk in from the car park to the medical centre is short and step-free. Many patients combine the appointment with their shopping while they are there.
How do I make an appointment at Burwood East?
Call the clinic on (03) 9111 0085, or use our central booking page and tell us Burwood East is the location you want.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. Podiatry is a primary contact profession, so you can book directly. The exceptions are DVA Gold Card holders and WorkCover patients, who need a referral. A GP care plan is not required, but it may unlock a Medicare rebate if you have a qualifying chronic condition.
Can my whole family be seen at this clinic?
Yes. We treat children’s feet, working-age adults and older patients at Burwood East, and it is common for us to see two or three generations of the same family. Let reception know if you would like appointments booked back to back.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Reviewed by Gideon Poratt, Principal Podiatrist (B.App.Sc (Pod), M.A.Pod.A), a member of the Australian Podiatry Association. Please book an assessment for advice specific to your feet.