Muscle/wrinkle relaxants and most dermal fillers are Schedule 4 medications that require a prescription by a Registered Medical Practitioner (Doctor).

Registered nurses can inject these products but only under the supervision of a Medical Doctor and once they have completed the appropriate training course.

Enrolled or Division 2 Nurses can complete additional training in medications, ie; hold a Schedule 4/8 Endorsement (if trained prior to 2009).

Legally, this means ENs can administer cosmetic injections under direct medical supervision, however ENs are not readily employed purely as injectors in Australian cosmetic medical practices because of the limitations under scope of practice requiring supervision.

Ahpra has published a Position Statement (2022) on Nurses and Cosmetic Procedures:

ENs currently working in the area of cosmetic medical procedures 

• Must be directly supervised and assessed by an RN for a minimum period of 75 hours for cosmetic injections, until competence is demonstrated and documented
• Cannot undertake the administration of high-risk dermal filler injectables to high and very high-risk areas; this includes temples, nasolabial folds, tear troughs, peri-orbital, medial cheek, glabella, nose and forehead
• Only performs laser skin resurfacing with direct supervision of an RN to check the laser settings before use
• Engages in continuing professional and skills development relevant to this context of practice.

ENs planning to practise in area of cosmetic medical procedures in the future 

ENs intending to practise in the area of cosmetic medical procedures in the future, in addition to the expectations above, are required to demonstrate the following experience and education requirements:

• Practise for a minimum of one-year full-time equivalent post initial registration to consolidate the foundational skills and knowledge of an EN, plus 
• Two years’ full-time equivalent experience in a related area of practice (for example dermatology, general surgery) prior to practising in the area of cosmetic medical procedures, and
• Completed formal education that is relevant to the practice in the area of cosmetic medical procedures practice.

AACDS will not prevent EENs or ENs from enrolling in the 52852WA Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables, but we do advise that it is more suitable for ENs who have an arrangement in place to work under medical supervision. There are NO restrictions for ENs to perform Dermal Therapies.

No. We do not offer a stand-alone cosmetic injectables course, it is only offered as part of the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables.

A safe and effective cosmetic nurse injector must have a broad knowledge of both surgical and non-surgical treatment procedures /consultation in order to properly select the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Not all patients will be suited to cosmetic injections and most require a multi-treatment approach to effectively address cosmetic concerns.

You also need to learn the associated theory, including;

• patient assessment
• facial anatomy
• pharmacology/ dilutions
• nerve blocks
• contraindications and the management of complications

The modern cosmetic medical practice requires the cosmetic nurse to be skilled and knowledgeable in a number of areas, not just injectables. This role will often encompass the following;

• dermal therapies
• theatre assisting
• providing consultations and handling enquiries
• pre and post-operative care plus some aspects of practice management/administration

For further information, you can visit https://cosmeticnursing.com.au

In Australia, only Medical Doctors, Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses (with a medications endorsement) are able to perform cosmetic injections and there are no plans to change this criteria or regulations in the near future.

Cosmetic injections are Schedule 4 medications and can only be purchased and prescribed by a Medical Doctor. There are NO exceptions to this law. Your best pathway to becoming a Cosmetic Nurse is as follows:

• Complete a nursing degree at university (3-4 years full time)
• Gain registration with AHPRAl
• Gain experience as a nurse (this can be done whilst completing your postgraduate studies)
• Complete the 52852WA Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables
• For further information, you can visit https://cosmeticnursing.com.au

There has been a recent change in Nurse Practitioners being able to prescribe medications – however there is a strict application and assessment process to complete. Nurses are not able to open/hold accounts to purchase muscle relaxers and dermal fillers.

*please check all relevant legislation, licensing and supervision requirements plus Workplace Health and Safety Regulations prior to any work being completed. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Publications/Cosmetic-surgery-and-procedures/Information-for-practitioners.aspx

AACDS does not currently offer specific cosmetic injecting courses for dentists. For dentists interested in expanding their practice to include dermal therapies, the 52854WA Graduate Diploma of Dermal Science is the recommended course.

You MUST complete your prerequisite qualification and gain registration with AHPRA before enrolling in the 52852WA Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables. However, you can initially enrol in the 52850WA Advanced Diploma of Cosmetic Dermal Science and then transfer to the Graduate Diploma upon completion of your prerequisite qualification and/or registration with AHPRA.

At AACDS, we don’t offer the cosmetic injectables training as a single unit. You must complete the 52852WA Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables course to start performing cosmetic injectables. The Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing can be completed in as little as 10 months on a full-time study load.

Yes. Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Cosmetic Nursing and Injectables will be able to evaluate and perform cosmetic injectables. Full time students will start in semester two and part time students will start in semester three or four. The theory component will need to be completed before students can start performing cosmetic injectables.