There are many cosmetic injecting courses for nurses in Australia. Many practitioners start with training through a pharmaceutical company. Unfortunately this can be biased. The best cosmetic injecting courses in Australia are Anatomy, Technique and Product based (the ATP approach). This means that your patient safety, results and scientific evidence is paramount to your pathway in becoming a cosmetic injector.

Although our head trainer and director is a KOL (Key Opinion Leader) for Teoxane, Dr Giulia prides herself on Anatomy and technique first, as these two steps set you up to be the best cosmetic injector who can undertake cosmetic injecting for your patients.

Dermal Distinction Training Academy works with medical doctors trained in cosmetic injecting, such that we can provide you with scripting services. We provide cosmetic injecting training for registered nurses only as the guidelines are quite clear. Both dermal filler and Botox require a script by a doctor. Registered nurses can easily obtain scripting services from a doctor through our cosmetic medicine referral services.

We can provide the dermal filler and Botox products for you when you sign up to a product account, and have a Health Services Permit in place. You can obtain a HSP from your local Health Department. You will need to train with us to take advantage of this service as our training is rigorous and robust.

We see cosmetic nurses focusing on cosmetic injecting working in independent cosmetic clinics, medical spas, doctor-supervised clinics and cosmetic dental offices. We do recommend that you have a Health Services Permit for each location, and have insurance for each location.

This depends on the type of cosmetic procedures you are performing. Most dermal therapy procedures do not require medical supervision unless scheduled medications (such as an S4 topical anesthetic) are required. In this case, the medical doctor must consult and prescribe the scheduled medication.

Cosmetic injectables are also scheduled medications. The medical doctor must firstly consult with the patient, establish a treatment plan and prescribe the injectable product. The Cosmetic Nurse administers the injectable product based on the Doctors prescription(s). Consecutive treatments over the next 12 months do not require additional consultation with the Doctor, unless the Cosmetic Nurse alters the initial treatment plan and prescription(s).

Having the appropriate level of skill is very important when you are training to be a cosmetic nurse. We recommend that you start with our Level one course, Complete Lip artistry as you learn the most common Botox treatments as well as lip enhancement. The most common dermal filler treatment in the world is lip filler, and our course will teach you how to be a lip filler expert and cosmetic nurse injector that is skilled in multiple techniques. Aside from that, you will also learn how to do dental block injections as part of your cosmetic nurse injector training.
Once you complete this course, you can then undertake the Level 2: Cheek Structure master course and the Level 3: Chin and Jawline course to complete the pathway of cosmetic nursing courses. Once you gain some industry experience, you can return and undertake an Advanced Private training course with us at Dermal Distinction Academy to master more complex areas such as the nasolabial folds and more.

The Nursing and Midwifery board released new regulations in 2022. Here is what the new regulations mean for the different nursing divisions:

Enrolled Nurses

While enrolled nurses’ training does not prepare them for the risk and complexities of cosmetic medical procedures (including the administration of cosmetic injections), they can still work in the industry with strict guidelines.

ENs already working in cosmetic nursing:
+ Must have direct supervision from an RN for at least 75 hours while administering cosmetic injectables, or until competence is achieved.
+ Can’t administer injectables to high-risk areas (e.g. forehead, nose, or glabella area).
+ Must continue professional development and skills training through cosmetic courses for nurses.

ENs planning on working in cosmetic nursing

In addition to the requirements listed above, ENs intending to work in cosmetic medicine must complete the following:
+ One-year study after initial registration to consolidate the foundational skills and knowledge of being an EN.
+ Two years’ experience in a related area of practice (e.g. dermatology or general surgery) before working in cosmetic medical procedures.
+ Formal education in the relevant practice areas of cosmetic medical procedures.

Registered nurses

Any RNs working in or planning to work in cosmetic medicine must ensure that they have the required education, skills, and experience to practise safely. RNs are unlikely to be endorsed as NPs while working solely in cosmetic medical procedures. The NMBA considers the practice of performing or assisting in cosmetic medical procedures, such as cosmetic injectables, as below the advanced practice level required to become a NP.

Nurse Practitioners

NPs have sufficient education and experience to prescribe and administer scheduled medicines, and their advanced practice level allows them to work in the area of cosmetic medicine. However, they must declare that they have completed the required practice requirements of the Registration standard: Recency of practice and NMBA Nurse practitioner standards for practice. Cosmetic injecting can no longer be considered a specialised area of practice.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery strongly support safe cosmetic treatment and procedures being offered to patients of these services. In Australia, there is increasing demand
for a large variety of cosmetic services.1 Nurses perform a variety of tasks through the provision of skin care advice and referral, , including but not limited to: skin cancer checks, management of common skin disorders, acne management, scarring, rosacea, anti-ageing, pigmentation, leg and facial capillaries, skin tightening, and administration of dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxants.

Our courses help you navigate the path to success, whilst also staying within the National law. See the ACN position statement for nurses HERE.