Cosmetic Surgery Concerns in Australia: Patient Safety, Regulation & the Future

12 June

Written By LUNA Systems

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Key Takeaways:

Unregulated cosmetic procedures are leading to increased complications and patient risks in Australia.
Confusion over cosmetic surgeon qualifications contributes to patient vulnerability.
New AHPRA guidelines aim to improve patient safety but have limitations.
Strict cosmetic surgery advertising rules are in place but often breached.
Patients must take proactive steps to ensure their safety when considering cosmetic procedures.

Table of Contents:

Understanding Cosmetic Surgery Concerns in Australia

Cosmetic procedures are more popular than ever in Australia. From surgical nose reshaping to non-invasive wrinkle treatments, demand continues to surge. But alongside this growing market are serious cosmetic surgery concerns in Australia — particularly around safety, regulation, and transparency.

Cosmetic surgery involves invasive procedures aimed at reshaping or enhancing parts of the body. This includes breast augmentation, liposuction, and facelifts. In contrast, non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as botulinum toxin injections (e.g., Botox), dermal fillers, or skin rejuvenation therapies, do not involve cutting into the body.

A rapid review by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care found that cosmetic surgery complications are rising, with many procedures performed by inadequately qualified providers outside of regulated healthcare settings (source).

This blog explores the pressing issues behind the surge — from unregulated cosmetic procedures and patient injuries to misleading advertising and private equity interests — and discusses what needs to change to better protect patients.

The Rise in Unregulated Cosmetic Procedures and Associated Risks

Unregulated cosmetic procedures are medical or aesthetic treatments carried out:

Outside licensed healthcare environments (e.g., shopping centres, private homes)
By non-medical staff or inadequately trained providers
Using off-label or unapproved products like certain dermal fillers

Examples include:

Injectables like Botox or fillers offered in beauty salons or pop-up clinics
Thread lifts done by untrained beauty therapists
Skin resurfacing or fat reduction devices without proper oversight

The risks of cosmetic surgery — especially in these unregulated settings — include:

Infections due to poor hygiene
Transmission of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis or HIV
Serious allergic reactions or filler migration
Long-term disfigurement or nerve damage

A major review from NSW Health revealed breaches in infection control during cosmetic procedures, including the reuse of contaminated needles and improper sterilisation (source).

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) also warned patients to be cautious when undergoing procedures involving dermal fillers, especially from those not authorised to administer them (source).

Why is this happening?

Cosmetic procedures are lucrative and in high demand
Social media marketing fuels interest
Lack of strong enforcement around qualifications, premises, and products

Ultimately, patients are left vulnerable when providers cut corners in training, infection control, and consent.

Private Equity and the Commercialisation of Cosmetic Clinics

Private equity in cosmetic clinics refers to investment firms acquiring or backing high-turnover chain-style cosmetic businesses. Their model often focuses on rapid expansion, profit growth, and brand visibility rather than personalised patient care.

This approach may encourage:

Sales-driven consultations with promotional incentives
Reduced post-operative monitoring
High staff turnover, weakening continuity of care
Upselling of multiple procedures in one sitting

While there’s limited peer-reviewed Australian data, consumer advocates and patient groups have flagged risks. The rapid growth of commercial cosmetic brands is raising questions about ethics, quality, and whether patient safety is being compromised for profit (source).

Patients have reported feeling rushed, inadequately assessed, or treated by junior staff without full disclosure. These practices can result in poor outcomes and legal complications that affect both the patient and provider.

Confusion Around Cosmetic Surgeon Qualifications in Australia

One of the biggest sources of cosmetic surgery concerns in Australia is confusion over titles and qualifications. Currently, the title “cosmetic surgeon” is not protected under law. That means a wide range of doctors — including general practitioners (GPs), dermatologists, or other specialists — can legally call themselves a cosmetic surgeon.

In contrast:

A plastic surgeon is a specialist recognised by the Australian Medical Council.
They complete around 8–12 years of post-graduate surgical training beyond medical school.

But patients may not know the difference. Some clinics use misleading titles, logos, or advertising to imply a higher level of training than they've received. Read more about compliance mistakes.

TIP: How to check if your doctor is qualified
Use the AHPRA Register to confirm your provider’s credentials. Check if they’re listed as a specialist plastic surgeon or cosmetic physician under recognised specialties.

Without clearer rules, Australians remain at risk of unknowingly choosing less-qualified practitioners (source).

AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Guidelines – Progress and Limitations

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national body responsible for regulating health professionals in Australia. In 2023, AHPRA introduced new guidelines for cosmetic surgery to improve patient outcomes.

Key changes included:

Mandatory GP referrals before invasive surgery
Psychological assessment for patients under 18 or considered vulnerable
Stricter cosmetic surgery advertising rules in Australia
Clearer guidance on consent and documentation processes

These steps aim to address key risks and improve patient safety in cosmetic surgery (source).

But major problems remain:

Clinics are not subject to routine quality audits
No peer review or benchmarking of cosmetic outcomes
Oversight focuses on individuals, not clinic governance
Guidelines are reactive, not preventative, and rely on patients reporting harm

Greater reform is needed to ensure consistent quality and safety across the sector (source).

What the National Law Says About Cosmetic Surgery Advertising

Under the national law on cosmetic advertising, providers must follow strict rules prohibiting false or misleading health claims. These apply to all healthcare providers in Australia.

Prohibited advertising behaviours include:

Using testimonials or patient reviews Learn about compliance risks
Displaying before-and-after photos that may mislead
Using terms like “risk-free”, “safe”, or “guaranteed results”
Making claims that downplay surgical recovery or complications

Unfortunately, breaches are still common — especially on social media. Influencers and clinics often post underregulated content that violates these laws.

The cosmetic procedure advertising rules in Australia became stricter after the 2023 AHPRA reforms, and penalties now include fines and loss of registration in serious cases.

Providers must now submit revised advertising if requested and remove non-compliant content immediately (source).

Who Regulates Cosmetic Surgery in Australia?

Cosmetic surgery in Australia is governed by a complex web of agencies and frameworks, including:

AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia – oversee professional conduct
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – regulates devices, medicines, and injectables
State and Territory Health Departments – license premises and manage public health risks
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards – create clinical guidelines, but these are mainly for hospitals

Despite all this, major gaps exist in cosmetic procedure regulation in Australia:

Clinics do not need hospital-level accreditation
There is no national licensing system for cosmetic surgery providers
Onsite inspections and audits are rare
Jurisdictions often overlap or shift responsibility

This patchwork system makes robust accountability difficult (source).

What Cosmetic Surgery Class Actions Reveal About Systemic Failures

A cosmetic surgery class action is a legal case where multiple patients sue a provider or clinic for harm caused by unsafe or negligent care.

Recent lawsuits — such as those involving The Cosmetic Institute — have exposed failings including:

Lack of informed consent Understand compliance requirements
High rates of complications
Unhygienic conditions
Unqualified practitioners performing invasive surgery

These cases highlight systemic weaknesses:

Poor internal oversight within clinics
Inadequate regulation of practitioners who aren’t specialists
Weak pathways for patients to raise concerns

While it's difficult to quantify the full extent of harm, these legal actions reflect failures in both clinic responsibility and broader policy (source).

Pathways to Improve Patient Safety in the Cosmetic Industry

Improving patient safety in cosmetic surgery requires formal, nationwide change. Key reform opportunities include:

Introduce a mandatory national training and accreditation scheme
Regulate the use of the title “cosmetic surgeon”
Standardise psychological screening for all elective cosmetic patients
Launch national audits and benchmarking for clinics and outcomes
Enhance public education on cosmetic risks and how to choose a provider

Patients can also protect themselves by taking the following steps:

Verify your doctor on the AHPRA Register
Ask if they are a FRACS-qualified (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) plastic surgeon
Ensure you get a GP referral and psychological screening when needed
Never be rushed into a procedure — request a cooling-off period
Read informed consent documents carefully and ask questions

(source)

Informed Decisions and the Future of Cosmetic Surgery Regulation

“Informed consent” means that a patient fully understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to surgery. In cosmetic medicine, where procedures are elective and not medically necessary, informed consent must go above and beyond.

To future-proof regulation and reduce cosmetic surgery concerns in Australia, we should see:

Legal protection of "cosmetic surgeon" titles
Greater public oversight of corporate-owned clinics Learn about scaling medical businesses
Compulsory auditing and adverse event reporting
Tighter restrictions on influencer-led advertising

As cosmetic medicine evolves, regulation must keep pace to protect both patients and ethical practitioners.

If you're considering cosmetic surgery, always check the AHPRA register, request full qualifications, and seek an independent second opinion.
(Source)

FAQ – Common Questions Around Cosmetic Safety and Regulation

Q: Is it legal for GPs to perform cosmetic surgery?
Yes. Any registered medical doctor in Australia can legally offer certain cosmetic procedures, even if they’re not a surgical specialist. However, their training may be limited.

Q: Are all cosmetic surgeons trained plastic surgeons?
No. Many "cosmetic surgeons" are not specialist plastic surgeons. Only those with FRACS qualifications in plastic surgery have completed recognised surgical training.

Q: What happens if something goes wrong with a cosmetic procedure?
You can lodge a complaint with AHPRA or the Health Care Complaints Commission (for your state). If serious, legal action (including cosmetic surgery class actions) might follow.

Q: What should I look for in a reputable clinic?

Medical director with recognised qualifications
Strong infection control protocols
Full disclosure of risks and alternatives
No pressure tactics or time-limited promotions
Evidence of follow-up care and patient support

Conclusion – Rebuilding Trust and Raising Standards in Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery concerns in Australia are real and rising. From underqualified providers and misleading advertising to commercial pressures and poor regulation — there are systemic issues that need urgent attention.

While AHPRA’s new guidelines are a step forward, gaps still leave patients exposed. As consumers, Australians must be equipped with clear, truthful information and access to accredited providers.

Don’t leave your safety to chance. Visit the AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Hub to make safer, better-informed decisions about your care.

LUNA Systems