The Australian cosmetic surgery industry underwent significant regulatory changes from 1st July 2023, with additional reforms taking effect in September 2025. These new guidelines from the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) aim to prioritise patient safety and ensure informed decision-making throughout the cosmetic surgery journey.
At Dr Scott J Turner’s clinics in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, patient safety has always been central to our practice. These regulations formalise many of the protocols that Specialist Plastic Surgeons have advocated for over many years.
Why Were These Regulations Introduced?
The Medical Board of Australia commissioned an Independent Review into the cosmetic surgery sector following serious patient safety concerns. The review uncovered troubling practices within segments of the cosmetic industry, including hygiene breaches, inadequate patient care, disappointing surgical outcomes, and aggressive marketing that prioritised profits over patient wellbeing.
The review also identified issues, including inadequate informed consent processes, insufficient cooling-off periods, and a need for clearer distinctions between different practitioner qualifications.
The resulting guidelines aim to ensure that patients:
- Receive thorough medical assessments before surgery
- Have adequate time to consider their decision
- Understand the qualifications of their chosen practitioner
- They are screened for psychological factors that may affect outcomes
The GP Referral Requirement
From 1st July 2023, all patients seeking cosmetic surgery must obtain a referral from an independent General Practitioner (GP) or another specialist before their surgical consultation.
What This Means for Patients
The referring GP must be completely independent of the cosmetic surgeon and cannot have any financial or commercial relationship with the surgical practice. Your regular family GP is typically appropriate for this referral. This referral process serves several important purposes:
- Your GP can assess your overall physical health and suitability for surgery
- Medical history that may be relevant to your procedure can be identified
- The referral creates an additional safety checkpoint before you proceed
The GP referral requirement applies to all cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, abdominoplasty, facelift surgery, neck lift, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty.
Procedures That Do Not Require a GP Referral
Non-surgical procedures such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers do not require a GP referral for adult patients. However, special requirements apply to patients under 18 years of age.
The Two-Consultation Rule
The regulations mandate a minimum of two pre-operative consultations for all cosmetic surgery patients.
First Consultation
The first consultation can be conducted by the surgeon or a registered health practitioner working with them. During this appointment:
- You cannot sign consent forms
- You cannot pay a surgical deposit (consultation fees are acceptable)
- Your motivations and expectations will be discussed
- Initial assessment of your suitability for surgery may be conducted
This protects you from making rushed decisions and ensures you have time to reflect on all the information provided before committing to surgery.
Second Consultation
The second consultation must be with the medical practitioner who will perform your surgery. At least one of your two consultations must be conducted in person (face-to-face), rather than via video. The other consultation may be conducted via video if appropriate for your circumstances.
This two-consultation requirement ensures that patients are not pressured into making hasty decisions and have adequate opportunity to ask questions and consider their options.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Screening
The guidelines now require practitioners to assess patients for underlying psychological conditions, particularly Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
What is BDD?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by excessive preoccupation with perceived defects in physical appearance—defects that may be minor or not observable to others. Research indicates that patients with BDD who undergo cosmetic procedures are three times more likely to experience complications, greater post-operative discomfort, and dissatisfaction with their results.
How Screening Works
Surgeons are required to use validated psychological screening tools to assess patients. You will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire (typically 7-9 questions) designed to identify any psychological factors that may affect your suitability for surgery. Standard validated screening tools include the BDDQ-AS (Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire – Aesthetic Surgery) or COPS (Cosmetic Procedure Screening) questionnaire. This is a standard part of the assessment process for all patients.
If the screening indicates potential concerns, the patient must be referred to a mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or independent GP) for evaluation before surgery can proceed. This is not a rejection—it is a safeguard to ensure surgery will genuinely benefit your mental health and wellbeing.
This screening process is designed to:
- Identify patients who may benefit from psychological support before considering surgery
- Ensure patients have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes
- Protect vulnerable individuals from procedures that may not address their underlying concerns
The Seven-Day Cooling-Off Period
A mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies to all cosmetic surgery patients.
How the Cooling-Off Period Works
The seven-day period begins after you have:
- Completed your second consultation
- Provided informed consent
During this cooling-off period:
- Surgery cannot be booked or scheduled
- No deposit (beyond consultation fees) can be accepted
This cooling-off period provides time to discuss your decision with family members or trusted friends, review all the information provided during your consultations, and confirm that you wish to proceed without any external pressure.
For patients under 18 years of age seeking cosmetic surgery, the cooling-off period extends to three months, with additional requirements including mandatory evaluation by a psychologist or psychiatrist who is independent of the surgeon.
Understanding Practitioner Qualifications
The regulations have brought increased attention to the qualifications of practitioners performing cosmetic procedures. Understanding the difference between various titles can help you make informed decisions about your care.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
A Specialist Plastic Surgeon holds the Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) qualification in Plastic Surgery. This training pathway involves:
- A medical degree (typically 6 years)
- Internship and residency (2+ years)
- Specialist surgical training in plastic and reconstructive surgery (5+ years)
- Training in accredited hospitals, including experience with complex reconstructive procedures, trauma, and complications management
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) with extensive training in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
The New Endorsement Model
The Medical Board has introduced an “Area of Practice Endorsement” for cosmetic surgery. This endorsement is designed for medical practitioners who are not specialist surgeons but wish to perform certain cosmetic procedures.
To obtain this endorsement, practitioners must complete an AMC-accredited program of study in cosmetic surgery. This creates a minimum competency standard while distinguishing these practitioners from those who have completed the full specialist surgical training pathway.
Why Qualifications Matter
When considering cosmetic surgery, understanding your practitioner’s qualifications helps you:
- Assess the depth and breadth of their training
- Understand their experience with managing potential complications
- Make informed comparisons between different practitioners
You can verify a surgeon’s qualifications through the AHPRA register at www.ahpra.gov.au or the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons website. Look for specialist qualifications such as FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which indicates the highest level of surgical training.
Changes to Non-Surgical Procedures (September 2025)
Additional regulations affecting non-surgical cosmetic procedures came into effect on 2nd September 2025.
Key Changes for Injectable Treatments
The new guidelines address prescribing practices for cosmetic injectables:
- Every time you receive a prescription for cosmetic injectables, you must have either an in-person or video consultation with the prescribing practitioner
- Prescribing via text message, email, or online questionnaires is no longer acceptable
- A medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must consult with the patient each time a new course of injectables is prescribed
- “Batch prescribing” (where a doctor signs standing orders for patients they have not personally assessed) is no longer permitted
- The ban on providing free or discounted treatments to social media influencers applies equally to non-surgical procedures
Higher-Risk Non-Surgical Procedures
The guidelines introduce a risk-stratified approach to non-surgical treatments. Procedures involving higher risks, such as:
- Injections in areas with vascular occlusion risk (nose, glabella)
- Thread lifts
- Deep chemical peels
These higher-risk procedures now require enhanced consent discussions regarding specific risks, including the potential for vascular complications.
Regulations for Patients Under 18
Strict provisions now apply to non-surgical cosmetic procedures for minors:
- A mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies
- Parental involvement and assessment of capacity is required
- Advertising non-surgical procedures to under-18s is prohibited
Updated Advertising Standards
The regulations include strict guidelines for how cosmetic procedures can be advertised.
Before and After Photography
Before and after photographs remain an important educational tool, but must now meet specific standards:
- No digital filters, smoothing applications, or enhancement software may be used
- Images must be taken with consistent lighting, background, and positioning
- “After” photographs must represent the settled outcome, not immediate post-procedure results
- Patient consent for use of images must be obtained separately from surgical consent
Prohibited Advertising Practices
The following advertising practices are now explicitly prohibited:
- Time-limited offers, discounts, or package deals bundling multiple procedures
- Use of social media influencers to promote procedures (including free or discounted treatments in exchange for promotion)
- Patient testimonials, success stories, or before-and-after testimonials in advertising
- Practitioners “liking,” commenting on, or resharing patient reviews on social media
- Claims that surgery will improve social confidence, relationships, or professional prospects
- Advertising cosmetic surgery to patients under 18 years of age (all advertising must use age-gating on social media platforms)
The Shift from Consumer Marketing to Medical Safety
For years, cosmetic surgery occupied an uncomfortable space—technically medical procedures, yet often marketed like consumer products with aggressive advertising and glossy promises. The new regulatory framework firmly repositions cosmetic surgery where it belongs: within a rigorous medical ecosystem governed by patient safety, informed consent, and professional accountability.
These reforms effectively mandate the high standards that Specialist Plastic Surgeons have always maintained, while eliminating practitioners with minimal training who previously operated in a less regulated environment. For patients, this transformation means you are no longer navigating a confusing marketplace where qualifications are unclear and marketing claims are difficult to verify. Instead, you are entering a healthcare environment with clear standards, transparent processes, and robust protections.
What These Regulations Mean for Your Care
These regulatory changes reflect a commitment to ensuring that cosmetic surgery is approached as a medical procedure rather than a consumer service.
At Dr Turner’s Practice
At our clinics in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, we welcome these regulations as they formalise the safety-first approach that has always guided our practice.
When you contact us to begin your surgical journey, you can expect:
- Clear guidance on obtaining your GP referral
- Thorough consultations that address all aspects of your proposed procedure
- Comprehensive information about risks, recovery, and expected outcomes
- Adequate time to make your decision without pressure
- Care from a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS)
Taking the Next Step
If you are considering cosmetic surgery and would like to learn more about how these regulations affect your journey, we encourage you to contact our team to discuss your options.
Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS), offers consultations at clinics in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. Our team can guide you through each step of the process, from obtaining your GP referral to your post-operative care.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is current as of the date of publication. Regulations may be updated, and patients should verify current requirements with their healthcare providers. Individual circumstances vary, and a personal consultation is necessary to determine suitability for any procedure.
