Queensland Tightens Cosmetic Injectables Regulations: What It Means for Clinics and Customers

Who Can Prescribe and Administer Injectables?

Only medical practitioners (doctors) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are authorised to prescribe Schedule 4 (S4) cosmetic injectables such as anti-wrinkle injections (e.g. Botox®, Dysport®) and dermal fillers.

Registered nurses (RNs) may administer these products, but only after the patient has been assessed in person by an authorised prescriber. Standing orders or telehealth-only prescribing are no longer accepted for cosmetic injectables in Queensland. This ensures that each customer receives a thorough face-to-face consultation to assess suitability and safety before treatment begins.

Changes to Purchasing and Storage

A major shift affects how S4 injectables are ordered and stored. RNs, enrolled nurses, administrative staff, or any unauthorised individual cannot purchase or store S4 medications, even with a doctor’s permission. Only doctors or NPs who physically practice at the clinic may purchase, store, and oversee the use of these medicines.

This change has been particularly challenging for nurse-led cosmetic clinics that do not have an on-site medical practitioner, leading many to restructure their practices or seek formal partnerships with prescribing doctors.

What This Means for Customers

For customers, these changes offer greater protection and peace of mind.

• Stronger safety standards: Every injectable treatment must now involve a direct assessment by a qualified prescriber, ensuring that the customer is medically suitable and fully informed of any risks.

• More regulated clinics: Customers are encouraged to verify that their chosen clinic complies with Queensland Health regulations and that an authorised prescriber is present on-site.

• Fewer “grey area” providers: Clinics operating without a doctor or NP can no longer legally offer these treatments, helping to reduce the risk of poorly supervised procedures.

• Delays possible at some clinics: Some nurse-led clinics may experience delays or reduced availability of services as they adapt to the new requirements.

  
  

While this may limit the number of providers offering cosmetic injectables, customers benefit from knowing that all legal providers must operate to high safety and ethical standards.

Focus on Patient Safety

Queensland Health’s updated guidance is designed to protect customers from unsafe or unsupervised treatments. By requiring every patient to have an individual consultation with a prescriber, the system aims to prevent complications and ensure treatments are appropriate for the person receiving them.

Moving Forward: The Importance of Informed Choice

For customers considering cosmetic injectables, it is now more important than ever to ask:

• Is there a doctor or NP on-site?

• Have I had a proper consultation and assessment?

• Is the clinic fully compliant with Queensland laws?

  
  

At Revive Dermal Clinic, we comply fully with Queensland Health’s guidelines. Our team works under the direct supervision of experienced prescribers, ensuring every injectable treatment is delivered safely, professionally, and ethically.