01Regulatory update · State health regulators
Cosmetic injectables —
are medicines.
Cosmetic injectables — botulinum toxin (sold under brand names such as Botox and Dysport) and dermal fillers (collagen, hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid) — are regulated as prescription medicines in Australia. State health regulators have published detailed guidance on how they may be prescribed, supplied, stored and advertised.
02Why this matters
Considered care —
begins with the medicine.
We welcome these regulations. They are consistent with the way RevAesthetic has always approached cosmetic injectables — every patient receives a detailed medical and cosmetic assessment with a medical practitioner before any treatment, and standing orders are not used.
What this means in practice is straightforward. The doctor sees you. The doctor explains the medicine, including its action, its inherent risks and complications, and what to do if anything feels unusual afterwards. The doctor administers the treatment, or supervises closely if a registered nurse is involved. The medicine, the dose and the batch are documented. None of these steps are optional.
More on the potential risks of cosmetic procedures is available on our risks page.
— Dr Kishen Nara, RevAesthetic Melbourne.
03What the regulations cover
Eight areas —
worth knowing about.
The state health regulator guidance covers a series of practical points about how cosmetic injectables are handled within a clinic. From a patient's perspective, the questions worth asking before treatment are simpler — but it is reasonable to know the framework that sits behind them.
Areas covered by the guidance
- Authorisation to prescribe and administer S4 (prescription-only) cosmetic injectables.
- Restrictions on standing orders — these cannot be used to administer cosmetic injectables.
- Rules for buying, supplying and storing S4 cosmetic injectables.
- Advertising rules for S4 cosmetic injectables, including who can promote them and how.
- Buying and administering S2 (pharmacy-only) and S3 (pharmacist-only) medicines.
- Infection control requirements within the clinical setting.
What patients should expect
- An assessment by a medical practitioner — not delegated to a beautician or unqualified staff.
- A discussion of the medicine being used, what it does, and what its inherent risks are.
- Time to ask questions and to consider the option, with no pressure to decide on the day.
- Documentation of consent, the dose, the batch and any aftercare instructions.
04The assessment
Why the assessment —
comes first.
A regulation that prohibits standing orders for cosmetic injectables is a meaningful one, because standing orders allow a treatment to be given without an individual prescription written for that specific patient. For a procedure that involves a prescription medicine, there should always be an individual assessment, an individual prescription, and an individual conversation about consent.
That is the whole point of a careful clinic. Each consultation is conducted by the medical practitioner who will administer or supervise the treatment, in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines. If anything in your medical history suggests further investigation is needed before treatment, that conversation happens before — not after — the medicine is drawn up.
For an overview of our non-surgical service, the non-surgical procedures page covers what to expect.
05About the practitioner
Dr Kishen
Nara.
Dr Kishen Nara is a registered medical practitioner. He sees patients across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. The team at RevAesthetic includes practice manager Cate, Patient Liaison Jenny, and registered nurses, all involved in supporting your enquiry.
All assessments are conducted in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines. A second medical opinion is encouraged at any stage.
- MBBSBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — Monash University
- FACCSM(Surg)Surgical Fellow, Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine
- AHPRARegistered medical practitioner — General Registration MED0001201549
06Enquire
Begin a
conversation.
Consultations are conducted personally by Dr Nara across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. We respond within one business day. There is a written reflection period before any decision, and a second medical opinion is encouraged at any stage.
07Continue reading
More from
the journal.
- 2025 Medical Board: Higher-Risk Cosmetic Guidelines
What the Medical Board of Australia's advanced guidelines for higher-risk non-surgical procedures mean for patients. - 2025 NSW Health: Suspected Unregulated Anti-Wrinkles
NSW Health update on suspected botulism cases linked to unregulated anti-wrinkle injections. - 2024 TGA Update on Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatments
TGA findings on energy-based devices for vaginal rejuvenation.
Disclaimer: This article is a plain-language summary of regulatory guidance. State health regulators and the Therapeutic Goods Administration remain the authoritative sources. All cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks and complications. We encourage you to seek a second opinion from a qualified medical professional before any procedure.