If you’re training to become a cosmetic practitioner, it’s vital you understand the new national guidelines released by AHPRA and TGA. These changes are aimed at ensuring safety, quality, and ethical practice in non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers.
Why These Guidelines Were Introduced
In 2023, a major review of the cosmetic industry revealed:
- Unsafe and inconsistent practices
- Poor oversight, especially in non-surgical clinics, telehealth platforms, and day spas
- Over 360 complaints lodged with AHPRA from Sept 2022 to March 2023
(most involving nurses, dentists, psychologists, etc.)
These guidelines are designed to lift the standard of care, improve patient safety, and bring accountability into the growing cosmetic field.
Who Must Follow These Guidelines?
These apply to all registered health practitioners, including:
- Nurses (RNs and ENs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Dentists, Pharmacists, Psychologists
- Doctors – they already have a similar set of rules in effect from 2024
Key Changes — Simplified Summary
1. Prescribing Cosmetic Injectables
- All Schedule 4 drugs (e.g. Botox and dermal fillers) must be prescribed after a real-time consultation (in-person or video).
- Text, email or online-only assessments are banned.
- Batch prescribing (pre-writing scripts for multiple patients) is no longer allowed.
2. Patient Assessment & Screening
- A full medical and psychological assessment is mandatory for every patient.
- RNs and NPs can assess patients — but only if they’re trained and experienced.
- You must screen for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and refer patients if needed.
3. Informed Consent
- Must be given in plain language, both written and verbal.
- Includes:
- Nature of procedure
- Risks & alternatives
- Costs
- Your qualifications
- For under-18s, there’s a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period. No payment can be taken until after this.
4. Training & Supervision
- You must be trained in the specific procedure you perform.
- CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is required.
- Extra rules for nurses:
- RNs need 12 months of clinical experience before entering aesthetics
- ENs:
- Must be under direct supervision
- Cannot inject high-risk areas (like nose, glabella)
- Can only treat high-risk areas if a prescriber or RN is onsite
5. Advertising Rules
No more:
- Testimonials or social media influencer promotions
- Before/after photos that exaggerate results
- Discounts, giveaways or ‘buy now, pay later’ incentives
- Targeted ads to under 18s
- Advertising that exploits body image concerns
6. Aftercare & Emergency Protocols
- Clinics must have clear complication management plans
- Patients should know:
- What to expect
- What to do if something goes wrong
- Who to contact (even if the original injector is unavailable)
- How to make a complaint
7. Financial Practices
- No offering of discounts, bundled packages, or contra deals
- Payment plans can exist (e.g., ZipPay) — but must not be advertised as part of the treatment
These guidelines are not laws, but:
- They set the professional standards you’ll be held to
- Failure to follow them may lead to:
- Conditions on your registration
- Suspension or disciplinary action
- In serious cases — civil or criminal action