The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has just released new guidelines for all health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including dentists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. These guidelines will come into effect on the 2nd September 2025, and advance copies have been released so practitioners can make the necessary preparations. They involve similar changes to the guidelines brought in for medical practitioners performing surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures back which came into effect in July 2023.
Performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures must now prioritise evidence-based, holistic patient assessments – including mental health screening and mandatory checks for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
At ReadyMind, we support cosmetic clinics by offering independent psychological assessments, screening tools and training to help ensure safe, ethical treatment decisions and compliance with AHPRA’s new standards.
What’s Changed in the AHPRA Guidelines?
The updated 2025 AHPRA guidelines apply to all registered health practitioners – including dentists, nurses, and nurse practitioners – who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as cosmetic injectables, skin resurfacing, fat-dissolving injections, and laser treatments. Cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers, are also included.
Key updates include:
Mandatory “holistic, evidence-based patient assessment” before proceeding with treatment
Evidence-based assessment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and other mental health concerns
Required referral to an appropriate, independent health professional, such as a psychologist if mental health concerns are identified
A more comprehensive informed consent process, including exploration of motivations and expectations and discussion of how these may impact patient results and decision-making
A 7-day cooling-off period and recommended independent evaluation for patients under 18 years
Prohibition on asynchronous prescribing (e.g., no text or email prescriptions for injectables)
Stricter advertising rules, banning filtered before/after images, testimonials, and emotionally charged language which may affect vulnerable people
- Required training for non-surgical cosmetic practitioners in:
- relevant anatomy and physiology
- assessment of a person for suitability of the procedure
- theoretical and hands on training in the specific procedure being offered, including complication and side effect management.
What is a Holistic Evidence-Based Assessment?
Cosmetic procedures can offer confidence and empowerment – but for some individuals, concerns about their appearance may be part of a deeper psychological struggle, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder or a response to stressful or traumatic life events.
AHPRA defines a holistic assessment as a “patient centered approach by considering the person’s history, including relevant psychological, social, and cultural aspects.”
Relevant psychological factors to consider:
- Mental health history, any current mental health supports or medications
- Assessment for body dysmorphic disorder. While very common in aesthetic patients, it is also often underdiagnosed and patients may have limited insight, therefore screening tools can assist with evidence-based detection of BDD.
- History of trauma or stressful life events which may be impacting their motivations or expectations for cosmetic treatment
- Availability of coping strategies or a support network in the event the patient experiences an undesirable result or complication
Relevant social factors to consider:
- Pressure from a partner, friends or family to undertake a procedure
- Disagreement from a partner, friends or family to undertake a procedure. While this may reflect different views on cosmetic procedures, it may also be an indicator that their support network has concerns regarding whether the procedure is in their best interests.
- The role of social media in influencing expectations and motivations
- Expectations for change in social, romantic and professional domains after a procedure, and how realistic these expectations may be
Relevant cultural factors to consider:
- Cultural ideals of attractiveness and normalisation or stigma around cosmetic procedures.
- Ethnic identity – is the patient seeking to preserve culturally specific features, or assimilate into another culture?
- Mental health stigma – in some cultures, psychological concerns (such as anxiety, BDD, or depression) may be minimised, misunderstood, or stigmatised. Patients may present somatic or aesthetic concerns as a socially acceptable way to express deeper distress.
- Role of culture in expectations – cultural expectations around marriage, gender roles, or status may drive appearance-based decisions (e.g., “looking younger” to stay employable or attractive).
Do I need to use psychological screening tools in my assessment?
AHPRA has responded to this question with:
“The level of assessment undertaken should be proportionate to the individual risk of the procedure for that person. A formal psychological assessment [by an independent health professional] is not required unless a practitioner, after assessing a person, considers it necessary.
The Code of Conduct requires registered health practitioners to take a patient centered approach by considering the person’s history, including relevant psychological, social, and cultural aspects.
Similarly, the guidelines require a holistic assessment of suitability based on the individual risk for each person. This includes not only an assessment for underlying psychological conditions, such as BDD, but should include an assessment of physical health, skin integrity, Fitzpatrick skin type (where relevant) or any other condition which may mean the cosmetic procedure is not appropriate for that person.
Literature and research show that psychological disorders, such as BDD, are more prevalent in the group that seeks cosmetic procedures when compared to the general population. An assessment of an individual seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures should therefore consider whether an underlying psychological disorder, including BDD, makes the person an unsuitable candidate for the cosmetic procedure.”
The guidelines also require an evidence-based assessment. The benefit of screening tools is that they are:
- Validated by research to support their efficacy in detecting a psychological concern (such as BDD) i.e, evidence-based
- Standardised for every single patient
- Documented, in case of any complaints, concerns or dissatisfaction
- Useful for patients with limited insight or who are unaware of a diagnosis
- Provide a clear basis to discuss the need for onward referral
Screening for psychological risk factors protects both the patient and the practitioner by reducing the chance of:
Unsuitable or harmful treatments
Dissatisfaction with outcomes
Increased emotional distress or regret
Psychological screening is not about denying treatment – it’s about ensuring that patients are making well-informed, supported decisions in the context of their mental health.
What These Changes Mean for Dentists, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
Whether you’re a cosmetic dentist offering veneers, a nurse administering dermal fillers, or a nurse practitioner supervising aesthetic treatments, you are now responsible for:
Performing a holistic patient assessment that includes psychological readiness
Being able to identify signs of BDD or psychological distress
Referring patients to an independent health professional, such as a psychologist where needed
Ensuring patients provide informed consent, including a discussion of motivations, risks, and alternatives
How ReadyMind Can Help
ReadyMind offers expert support to help your practice stay compliant and deliver best-practice care through:
Independent psychological evaluations (‘Cosmetic Readiness Assessments’) if there are indicators that they may be an unsuitable candidate fore treatment.
Automated screening tools and reports to support clinical decisions and documentation
Training for nurses, dentists and injectors on identifying psychological risks and having supportive consent conversations
Consultation services to help ensure your processes align with the latest AHPRA regulations
The new AHPRA guidelines represent a cultural shift toward ethics, safety, and mental health awareness in cosmetic settings. Incorporating psychological screening and recognising the signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder is now a key part of delivering safe and compliant care.
