Injectables Industry Faces Reform

The cosmetic injectables industry in Australia is facing its biggest shake-up yet, as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) rolls out new rules to better protect patient safety.

These changes will directly impact nurses and dentists who perform popular procedures like botox and dermal fillers—treatments that have, until now, been offered with little regulatory oversight.

Why the changes?

For years, nurses and dentists have been providing cosmetic injections without needing to complete formal training beyond their original qualifications. However, concerns have been mounting about the risks to patient safety, especially after multiple incidents involving hospitalisation, infection, and nerve damage.

AHPRA’s new guidelines aim to overhaul the industry by clearly outlining education, training, and advertising standards. These reforms align the responsibilities of nurses and dentists with those already in place for medical practitioners.

What’s changing?

From September, nurses must complete at least 12 months of full-time clinical practice before they can expand their scope to include cosmetic injectables. In addition, any practitioner wanting to work in this area will need formal training in:

Facial anatomy and physiology
Patient assessment
Procedure-specific theoretical and hands-on education

Advertising rules are also tightening. Clinics will no longer be able to use influencer testimonials or target under-18s. The guidelines also ban promotional tactics like dancing, music, or entertainment-based content in social media posts.

Patients must now be given full written information before undergoing treatment, including:

Who prescribed the product
Who will perform the procedure
Details of the injectable used
Aftercare advice and who’s responsible for follow-up

Telehealth loopholes closed

AHPRA has also expressed concern about fast-tracked telehealth prescriptions, where scripts for botox are issued within minutes. The new guidelines make it clear: the prescribing practitioner remains responsible for patient safety—even if they’re not present during the procedure.

This comes after state regulators found numerous clinics operating illegally, including nurses without prescribing rights administering injectables, and the unlawful storage of prescription medications.

Financial transparency and cooling-off periods

Practitioners must now disclose any financial interests that could influence their advice—especially relevant where commission-based pay structures are involved.

The guidelines also introduce a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period for minors and prohibit all advertising aimed at under-18s.

What this means for consumers

If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, make sure your practitioner is registered. You can search the AHPRA website to confirm credentials.

These reforms are a major step forward in regulating an industry long plagued by inconsistent standards. While they may force some providers to exit or overhaul their practices, they ultimately aim to ensure that patient safety—not profit—is at the heart of every procedure.