In 2023, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) introduced updated guidelines for cosmetic surgery in Australia. These changes tightened requirements around practitioner qualifications, patient consultation processes, advertising practices, and patient safety. If you are considering cosmetic surgery in Australia, understanding these guidelines helps you know what to expect — and what to look out for — when choosing a practitioner.
This article summarises the key changes that affect patients directly. For the complete official guidelines, patients should refer to the AHPRA website.
Why the guidelines changed
The 2023 update followed an independent review commissioned jointly by AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia. The review examined several areas of concern in the Australian cosmetic surgery industry, including advertising practices, inconsistent safety standards, unclear practitioner qualifications, and patient outcomes.
The updated guidelines aim to strengthen patient safety, improve transparency around practitioner qualifications, and ensure patients have adequate time and information before making decisions about cosmetic surgery.
The GP referral requirement
One of the most significant changes for patients is the mandatory GP referral requirement. Since 1 July 2023, patients considering cosmetic surgery in Australia must obtain a referral from a general practitioner before attending a cosmetic surgery consultation.
The GP referral:
- Involves an initial medical discussion about the patient’s reasons for considering cosmetic surgery
- Allows the GP to identify any relevant health factors or medical conditions
- Can include a discussion about the patient’s expectations and mental health
- Is required before any cosmetic surgical procedure can be scheduled
Patients should discuss their interest in cosmetic surgery with their usual GP. If the patient does not have a regular GP, they can arrange an appointment with any general practitioner.
Two consultations and the cooling-off period
Under the updated guidelines, patients must attend a minimum of two pre-operative consultations with the cosmetic practitioner before surgery can be booked. One of these may be conducted via telehealth.
After the second consultation, a minimum seven-day cooling-off period applies before the surgery can be scheduled. During this period, patients are expected to:
- Review the written information provided about the procedure
- Consider the risks, recovery requirements, and realistic expected outcomes
- Reflect on their motivations and readiness for surgery
- Raise any questions or concerns with the practitioner
The cooling-off period exists to give patients time and space to make a fully considered decision, free from any sense of pressure.
Advertising restrictions
The updated guidelines significantly tightened restrictions on cosmetic surgery advertising. Practitioners advertising cosmetic procedures in Australia must:
- Not use misleading or promotional language about outcomes
- Not use superlatives such as “best”, “leading”, “top”, or similar
- Not use the title “surgeon” unless the practitioner holds specialist registration as a surgeon (which requires completion of a recognised surgical training program)
- Not use patient testimonials in ways that suggest guaranteed outcomes
- Not use before-and-after images in ways that mislead patients about realistic results
- Not make claims that cosmetic surgery will improve self-esteem, confidence, or emotional wellbeing
- Provide clear information about risks and cooling-off requirements
These restrictions apply to websites, social media, print advertising, and any other marketing material.
The word “surgeon” and what it means
One of the more widely discussed changes relates to the use of the title “surgeon”. Under Australian law, the protected titles of “surgeon”, “specialist surgeon”, and related terms may only be used by medical practitioners who hold specialist registration in a recognised surgical specialty — such as plastic surgery, general surgery, or otolaryngology.
Medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery but do not hold specialist surgical registration are required to use other titles, such as “cosmetic doctor” or “medical practitioner who performs cosmetic surgery”.
This distinction does not necessarily reflect on the quality of care — many experienced cosmetic doctors who do not hold specialist surgical registration have years of training in cosmetic procedures. It does, however, mean patients should understand what a practitioner’s AHPRA registration actually includes before booking.
Dr Georgina Konrat holds General Registration with AHPRA (Registration: MED0001407863) and is a Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (FACCSM). She practises as a cosmetic doctor.
Requirements for under-18 patients
The guidelines introduced additional protections for patients under 18 years of age:
- A three-month cooling-off period applies (rather than seven days)
- A psychological assessment by a registered mental health practitioner is required before surgery
- Procedures that are not clinically necessary are generally discouraged for minors
These additional requirements reflect concerns about the long-term impact of cosmetic surgery decisions made during adolescence.
Mental health and psychological screening
The updated guidelines require practitioners to consider patients’ mental health and wellbeing as part of the consultation process. This includes:
- Assessing for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is a recognised contraindication for cosmetic surgery
- Referring patients for psychological assessment where appropriate
- Declining to proceed with surgery if mental health factors suggest it would not be in the patient’s interest
Patients with active mental health concerns are not excluded from cosmetic surgery, but the practitioner is expected to ensure that appropriate support is in place and that the decision to proceed is based on stable, considered motivations.
Informed consent requirements
Informed consent under the updated guidelines requires more than a patient signing a form. The practitioner must ensure the patient:
- Understands the nature of the procedure and what it involves
- Understands the realistic range of outcomes
- Understands the specific risks and potential complications
- Understands the recovery requirements
- Has been informed about alternatives, including non-surgical alternatives where applicable
- Has had the opportunity to ask questions
- Has received written information they can review
Written information must be provided before the cooling-off period begins.
What to ask when choosing a cosmetic practitioner
The updated guidelines make it easier for patients to verify practitioner qualifications and approach. Suggested questions to ask during consultation include:
- What is your AHPRA registration number? (You can verify this on the AHPRA public register)
- What training and qualifications do you hold for this specific procedure?
- How long have you been performing this procedure?
- What are the specific risks for this procedure in my case?
- What is your approach to complications?
- What happens during the cooling-off period?
- What aftercare is included?
- Can I see written information about the procedure before I decide?
A practitioner who follows the updated guidelines will welcome these questions.
Red flags to watch for
Practices that do not comply with updated guidelines may be a sign that a practitioner is not operating to current professional standards. Patients should be cautious if they encounter:
- Advertising that uses superlatives or promises specific outcomes
- No GP referral requirement mentioned
- Pressure to book surgery at or shortly after the first consultation
- No mention of a cooling-off period
- No discussion of risks during consultation
- No provision of written information before booking
- Financial incentives or discounts to book immediately
- Testimonials claiming life-changing or emotional outcomes
If a practitioner does not appear to be following the updated guidelines, patients can seek a second opinion elsewhere or report concerns to AHPRA.
What the guidelines mean for patients
The updated guidelines represent a shift towards a more considered, less promotional approach to cosmetic surgery in Australia. For patients, this means:
- A longer process from initial interest to surgery (at least 2–3 weeks with consultations and cooling-off)
- More time and information to make the decision
- Clearer expectations about what cosmetic surgery can and cannot achieve
- Stronger protection against misleading advertising
- Greater transparency about practitioner qualifications
Most patients find the process helpful rather than frustrating — the additional time and information supports a more confident decision.
Further information
For more information about AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines, see the AHPRA website. To verify any Australian medical practitioner’s registration, use the AHPRA public register.
To book a consultation with Dr Georgina Konrat at Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, please call 07 3391 5710 or email info@brisbanecosmetic.com.au.
Content reviewed by Dr Georgina Konrat MBBS FACCSM. AHPRA Registration: MED0001407863. This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. AHPRA guidelines may be updated — patients should refer to the AHPRA website for the most current information. Last reviewed: 17 April 2026.