Use this practical, Australia‑specific checklist to get ready for cosmetic surgery. Confirm legal requirements, verify your surgeon, understand risks and recovery, and make sure your costs and timing are clear—before you commit.
GP referral, two consultations and mandatory cooling‑off period.
Registration, endorsements, hospital accreditation and red flags.
Know realistic outcomes, complications and downtime by procedure.
Itemised quotes, finance cautions, Medicare/private health eligibility.
Why you need a GP referral before consulting a cosmetic surgeon.
Understand two consults, consent and the 7‑day cooling‑off period.
Key questions to ask about risks, recovery, costs and revision.
Itemised quotes, payment options and finance risks to consider.
Work through these four areas before you put down a deposit. Each card links to a deeper guide to help you complete the item confidently.
Make sure you meet Australia’s mandatory steps before booking.
Verify credentials and facility standards before you commit.
Be clear on what surgery can and cannot achieve for you.
Know the full cost picture and your consumer protections.
Use this readiness grid to see if you can safely move toward booking. If any item is “not ready,” pause and get independent advice.
Follow these steps to align with Australian rules and make a confident, low‑risk decision.
Compare procedures, risks and recovery. See risks and recovery.
Obtain a referral and discuss goals, health and suitability. Learn the referral rules.
Attend at least two consults (one in person) and ask structured questions. Consultation questions.
Observe the 7‑day cooling‑off, confirm your itemised quote, timing and aftercare. Informed consent.
Pre‑booking diligence prevents most disputes and regret. Finalise these essentials in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.
Quick prompts to confirm you’re ready. If you answer “no” to any item, pause and get advice before you proceed.
Straight answers to common pre‑booking questions for people researching cosmetic surgery in Australia.
It’s a practical, Australia‑specific pre‑booking checklist that helps you meet legal requirements, verify your surgeon, understand risks and recovery, and confirm costs and policies before you pay a deposit.
Yes. The guidelines require at least two pre‑operative consultations and a 7‑day cooling‑off after informed consent. At least one consult must be in person with the practitioner who will perform your surgery.
Use AHPRA to check registration and endorsements, confirm relevant specialist training where applicable, and verify hospital accreditation. See our step‑by‑step guide on checking a surgeon’s credentials.
Start with Consultations & Safety, GP Referral, Informed Consent, Consultation Questions, Risks & Complications and Costs & Finance.
Yes. We help Australians clarify next steps, sense‑check quotes and plans, and navigate concerns about outcomes, complaints or revision. Ask us a question.
Ask us to review your plan, confirm what’s still missing, or direct you to the right Australian guide or surgeon‑choice resource. Independent information. Australia‑wide.
We’ll highlight gaps across legal steps, surgeon checks, risks and costs.
Help across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.