Surgeon & clinic credentials
Confirm who will operate and their qualifications, plus where surgery is performed.
- Registration and AHPRA endorsements
- FRACS (Plast) or recognised training
- Accredited hospital or day surgery facility
Check registration
Australia-specific consultation preparation
Questions to ask a cosmetic surgeon in Australia — your consultation checklist
Arrive prepared and confident. Use this practical checklist to ask the right questions about surgeon credentials, safety, risks, costs, recovery, informed consent, GP referral and red flags—aligned with Australian rules and standards.
Australia
Guidance aligned with AHPRA and local hospital standards
Consult-ready
Clear, specific questions you can ask in the room
Decision support
Know costs, risks, recovery and consent before you book
Safety first
Check registration, endorsements, facility accreditation and anaesthesia.
Costs clarified
Confirm itemised fees, aftercare, revision policy and payment options.
Recovery mapped
Understand downtime, time off work, follow-ups and scar care.
Next steps
GP referral, two consults, cooling-off and informed consent in Australia.
Question categories to cover at your consultation
Use these categories to guide your conversation. Each links to detailed Australian resources to help you verify information and compare options confidently.
Check registration
Risks, outcomes & alternatives
Discuss risks for your anatomy, realistic limits and non-surgical options.
- Complication rates and risk mitigation
- What results are realistic for me?
- Alternatives and staged approaches
Get a second opinion
Costs, Medicare & finance
Get a written, itemised quote and ask what’s included in aftercare.
- Surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees
- Payment plans and finance options
- Medicare/private health eligibility
Finance options
Medicare & private health
Recovery & aftercare
Plan for time off work, follow-ups, scar care and revision pathways.
- Downtime and activity restrictions
- Included follow-up schedule
- What happens if revision is needed?
Time off work guide
Scars: what to expect
Ask specific questions for clearer answers
Replace vague questions with precise ones. You’ll get safer, more practical answers you can verify. Use these during both pre-operative consultations.
Clear question
Vague version
Why it matters
Where to verify
Who exactly will perform my surgery and what are their qualifications (FRACS Plastics or AHPRA endorsement)?
Are you experienced?
Confirms operator identity and recognised training.
Which accredited hospital/day surgery and anaesthetist will be used?
Where is it done?
Accreditation and specialist anaesthesia reduce risk.
What are the main risks for someone with my anatomy and health? How are they minimised and managed?
Is it safe?
Personalised risk clarity and escalation plan.
Can I have an itemised written quote covering surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees, plus aftercare and revision policy?
How much is it?
Prevents surprise costs; clarifies inclusions.
What downtime should I plan for work, caregiving and exercise? What follow-ups are included?
What’s recovery like?
Aligns recovery with life and work commitments.
Your Australian consultation pathway
Cosmetic surgery in Australia involves GP referral, two pre-operative consultations, informed consent and a cooling-off period of at least seven days before booking or deposit.
1
GP referral
Obtain a referral from your GP or a non-cosmetic specialist. This supports safety screening and continuity of care.
2
First consultation
Discuss goals, anatomy, suitability and risks. Use this checklist to ask about credentials, facilities and alternatives.
3
Second consult + cooling-off
Have a second pre-op consultation. After informed consent, a minimum 7-day cooling-off period applies before booking.
4
Booking & aftercare
Proceed with an accredited facility, specialist anaesthesia, a written itemised quote and clear post-op follow-up plan.
Safety, consent and red-flag checks—tailored for Australia
This page focuses on what Australians need to know before they book: how to confirm who will operate, where it will occur, what it costs, how risks are managed and what to do if you’re unsure—without pressure.
Compliance
Checklist aligned with GP referral, informed consent and cooling-off rules
Verification
Direct links to AHPRA registration and credential guidance
Clarity
Itemised cost questions and aftercare inclusions to confirm
Support
Second opinion and complaints pathways if you need extra help
Costs and inclusions to confirm in writing
Itemised quote
Separate surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital/day surgery fees.
Costs
Aftercare inclusions
What reviews are included, dressings, garments and imaging.
Aftercare
Revision policy
How revision is assessed, fees involved and timeframes.
Policy
Cancellation terms
Reschedule windows, deposit rules and refund conditions.
Terms
Funding options
Eligibility for Medicare/private health and finance providers.
Finance
Consultation checklist: what to ask
Bring these grouped questions to both pre-operative consultations. They’re designed to spark detailed, verifiable answers you can cross-check.
Safety, credentials & setting
Confirm who operates, where, and how safety is assured.
- Who will perform my surgery and what recognised qualifications do they hold (e.g., FRACS Plastics or AHPRA cosmetic surgery endorsement)?
- Is the procedure performed in an accredited hospital/day surgery with a specialist anaesthetist?
- What is your complication and reoperation rate for this procedure?
- What screening is done to ensure I’m a good candidate?
- What are the main risks for me and how are they mitigated?
Procedure, outcomes & recovery
Understand realistic outcomes and your recovery timeline.
- What result is realistically achievable for my anatomy and goals?
- What technique will you use and why is it recommended for me?
- How long is downtime and when can I return to work/exercise?
- How many follow-ups are included and who will see me post‑op?
- If I’m unhappy or a complication occurs, how is it managed?
Costs, consent & next steps
Make sure costs and consent are clear and compliant.
- Can I have an itemised written quote and what’s included in aftercare?
- What is your revision policy and potential out‑of‑pocket costs?
- Am I eligible for Medicare/private health for any part of this?
- What documents will I receive for informed consent?
- What are the two consults and cooling‑off requirements for me?
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common Australian consultation questions. Follow the links for deeper guidance and verification steps.
Should I bring anything to my first consultation?
Bring your GP referral, a written list of questions, relevant medical history, medications and example photos of outcomes you like (for discussion of goals and limits). Read our broader consultation checklist.
How do I verify a surgeon’s credentials?
Check the AHPRA public register for registration, endorsements and any restrictions. If you want a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, confirm FRACS (Plast) via RACS. See: how to check a surgeon’s registration.
Can I compare procedures before I decide?
Yes—use our comparison hub to weigh recovery, risks and outcomes side-by-side: Cosmetic surgery comparisons. You can also read what to decide before you book.
What if I feel pressured to book?
Pressure to book or pay before cooling-off is a red flag. Review red flags and consider a second opinion before proceeding.
Where can I learn about recovery timelines?
Start with our national guides: Recovery and aftercare, Time off work, and procedure-specific pages (e.g., tummy tuck recovery, breast augmentation recovery).
How should I think about total cost?
Ask for an itemised quote (surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital), aftercare inclusions, likely extras and revision policy. Explore costs & finance and Medicare/private health.
Confidential consultation support
Get your question checklist and speak with our team
Request the full Australian consultation checklist or ask a confidential question about surgeon choice, safety, risks, costs, recovery, red flags or next steps. We’ll reply within one business day.
Australia-wide
Guidance for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Independent info
Links to registration checks, safety standards and consent rules.
Related pages to explore next
• Cosmetic Surgery Consultation Australia • Informed Consent • GP Referral • Clinic Red Flags • How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon • Check Registration • Risks & Complications • Costs & Finance • Recovery & Aftercare • Second Opinion