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From 5 September 2022 to 12 February 2023, the Cosmetic Surgery Oversight Group launched the Cosmetic Surgery Hotline, aiming to provide a safe space for patients and practitioners to report unsafe practices. During this period, the hotline received an impressive 111 calls — nearly two per day. Additionally, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) recorded 72 cosmetic surgery-related notifications from various sources.
In light of these concerning complaints, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) introduced the new National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards (NSQCSS) on 14 December 2023. These standards aim to elevate the safety and quality of cosmetic surgery services across Australia, ensuring the highest level of care for all patients.
With accreditation set to begin in early 2025, all cosmetic surgery providers must grasp and implement these new standards. But what exactly are these standards, and why do they matter? And perhaps the most pressing question of all — how do you start implementing them?
This blog breaks down the NSQCSS, highlights the key updates and changes, and clarifies who needs to comply with these new regulations.
The NSQCSS applies to all services performing cosmetic surgery across Australia. These standards ensure that procedures are performed in licensed facilities accredited to national safety and quality benchmarks.
State and territory regulators will collaborate with the ACSQHC to ensure compliance. This partnership guarantees that the public can feel safe and confident, knowing their cosmetic surgery services meet the highest safety and quality requirements.
Cosmetic surgery and procedures are designed to enhance the appearance of body features by altering their look, colour, texture, structure or position. However, a surge in calls to the Cosmetic Surgery Hotline highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the current standards among both the public and practitioners. Recognising the need for change, ACSQHC took action.
To protect patients undergoing cosmetic surgery in Australia, the NSQCSS were developed. These standards apply to any cosmetic procedure involving incisions beneath the skin, including:
However, these standards do not cover non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as:
Standards for non-surgical cosmetic procedures are currently being developed and are expected to align with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) and the NSQCSS.
Three pivotal documents form the foundation of accreditation for cosmetic surgery practices:
These essential documents ensure that clinics uphold the highest standards of safety and quality in their services. They also play a crucial role in helping the Medical Board of Australia protect the public.
The Cosmetic Surgery Standards are designed to ensure patient safety and high-quality care in licensed facilities, based on national safety and quality benchmarks. These guidelines, established by the Board under section 39 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, are crucial legal policies for medical practitioners. According to Ahpra, these standards are enforced across all states and territories, ensuring that practitioners uphold the highest standards.
But why is it essential to understand these documents? Simply put, your clinic must comply with the updated Cosmetic Surgery Standards and the Cosmetic Surgery Module to obtain a license. Even if your clinic already meets basic standards, it must also satisfy 20 additional requirements specific to cosmetic surgery. Clinics accredited under NSQHS will be assessed against both NSQHS and these additional standards.
While the assessment modules are still being developed, the accreditation process is evolving towards these new standards, paving the way for a new national licensing system.
The ACSQHC has released a Cosmetic Surgery Module to streamline compliance, enabling clinics to meet both the NSQHS and Cosmetic Surgery Standards through a single assessment. While these standards are largely similar, the Cosmetic Surgery Module introduces 20 new requirements — 11 of which are completely new, and 9 that closely align with existing NSQHS standards. To compare the NSQCSS with the NSQHS standards, visit the Map of the Cosmetic Surgery Standards.
The Cosmetic Surgery Module, or simply ‘the Module’, outlines 20 specific actions required for cosmetic procedures. Clinicians should refer to the Map of the Cosmetic Surgery Standards as a guide to identify areas needing compliance or improvement. It is important to carefully review each standard to ensure comprehensive coverage. If your clinic’s intake protocols and procedures do not align with the Cosmetic Surgery Standards or the Module, a review and update are necessary.
For example, the Module requires that the medical practitioner performing the surgery assess the patient for any psychological conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, using a validated psychological screening tool. The assessment and its results should then be recorded in the patient’s file.
Additionally, the Module requires medical practitioners to provide patients with clear, understandable information — both verbally and in writing. This includes details about the surgery, possible outcomes and risks, anesthesia, the location of the procedure and recovery expectations. Always refer to the Module alongside the guidelines for medical practitioners to ensure compliance with the new standards.
Doctors and surgeons should also explain their qualifications and any associated costs, making it clear that Medicare won’t cover cosmetic surgery. This transparency helps patients make informed decisions about their treatment.
These examples highlight just some of the criteria that will be evaluated for a facility to become licensed.
The new NSQCSS is a significant step towards improving patient safety within the cosmetic surgery industry. By understanding and implementing these standards, your clinic can ensure it provides the highest level of care. Be sure to read the full document before implementing these revised standards into your practice.
If you need help with the next steps, Purifas is available to offer expert advice and guidance.
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