AHPRA Guidelines for Cosmetic Injectables: What Patients Need to Know in 2025

In September 2025, AHPRA introduced comprehensive new guidelines for registered health practitioners performing nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. These guidelines significantly strengthened patient protections and raised the standards required of practitioners across the industry. Understanding what changed helps you assess whether any clinic you are considering operates within these new standards.

Key Changes for Patients

The September 2025 guidelines introduced mandatory in person or video consultations before any prescription for cosmetic injectable treatment can be issued. They strengthened training requirements for practitioners, introduced stricter standards around informed consent, and introduced a mandatory 7-day cooling off period for clients under 18 between initial consultation and any procedure.

The guidelines also significantly restricted advertising standards, including a ban on influencer testimonials for cosmetic injectable services making any clinic still using influencer marketing for injectable treatments non compliant with current AHPRA standards.

What This Means When Choosing a Clinic

Under the 2025 guidelines, a compliant clinic must conduct a genuine individual consultation before making any treatment recommendation, must have appropriate training and experience documentation, and must operate within AHPRA and TGA advertising standards. Clinics that offer treatment without individual consultation, that advertise using outcome claims or before and after imagery, or that promote specific prescription medicine names are operating outside the guidelines.

Read the full explanation in our article on the September 2025 AHPRA cosmetic guidelines and about patient safety at Core Aesthetics.

The Key September 2025 Changes for Patients

The September 2025 AHPRA guidelines introduced several changes that directly affect what patients should expect from any compliant cosmetic injectable clinic in Australia. A mandatory in person or video consultation is now required before any prescription for cosmetic injectable treatment can be issued. This means a practitioner who recommends and provides treatment without a prior consultation is in breach of current guidelines.

Stricter training and experience requirements now apply to all registered practitioners performing cosmetic procedures, including registered nurses. The guidelines also introduced stronger informed consent requirements and documentation standards.

What This Means When Choosing a Clinic

A compliant clinic must conduct a genuine individual consultation before any treatment recommendation, must have verifiable practitioner registration, must not use advertising that includes before and after images, outcome claims or testimonials and must have appropriate processes for informed consent and complication management. Checking these criteria before booking is a meaningful way to assess the clinical quality of any clinic you are considering.

The 7-Day Cooling Off Period for Under-18 Clients

The September 2025 guidelines introduced a mandatory seven day cooling off period between a first cosmetic injectable consultation and any procedure for clients under 18 years of age. No procedure can be performed within seven days of the initial consultation for under-18 clients regardless of assessed suitability.

Read the full explanation of these changes in our article on the September 2025 AHPRA cosmetic guidelines and about patient safety at Core Aesthetics.

Related: Read more about Core Aesthetics Oakleigh and book a consultation at Core Aesthetics, Oakleigh.

General Information Only. This article is general in nature and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health practitioner. Treatment outcomes, suitability and risks vary by individual. Any medical or prescription treatment options can only be discussed and provided where clinically appropriate following an individual assessment.