NEW COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR ELIGIBLE SPECIALIST PLASTIC SURGEONS New Board aims to address lack of consumer trust and confidence choosing qualified surgeons
With
Dr Scott Ingram, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Taringa, Queensland &
Past-President and Current Board Member,
The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastics Surgeons (ASAPS)
Australian Health Journal segment
Filmed in Brisbane | March 2025
The newly established Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery (ANZBCPS) has highlighted a concerning lack of confidence among cosmetic surgery patients in selecting qualified surgeons based on available online information. A January 2025 survey showed that 58% of respondents faced difficulties in finding the right surgeon, with 44% expressing mistrust in online resources. Furthermore, 27% were unsure about who is legally permitted to perform cosmetic surgery in Australia.
In response to these challenges, the ANZBCPS has introduced the Board Certified Program to ensure patients have access to trustworthy information about qualified surgeons. Participating surgeons may use the title “ANZBCPS Board Certified,” indicating they meet stringent quality and safety standards, and adhere to the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements set by AHPRA.
Eligibility criteria for ANZBCPS Board Certified surgeon:
- Successfully awarded the FRACS (Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) following accredited plastic surgery training
- Registered as a specialist in the recognised speciality of plastic surgery by the
- AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) Regulation or the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
- Membership of good standing on ASAPS or ASPS or NZAPS.
- Involved in the practice of cosmetic surgery
- Complete the CPD of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
- Nominate RACS as CPD home.
- Complete cosmetic surgery specific CPD as specified by the board
The program aims to help the public easily identify qualified cosmetic plastic surgeons committed to ethical practices and continuous training. Patients can search for certified surgeons through the official ANZBCPS website, ensuring that selected professionals are registered specialists with the necessary qualifications.
The ANZBCPS certification process ensures that surgeons maintain active practices in cosmetic surgery while complying with regulations, thereby fostering ongoing education and improvement. This initiative provides patients with confidence and peace of mind when choosing a cosmetic plastic surgeon, ultimately aiming to improve standards and trust within the field of cosmetic surgery.
Source: Adapted from media release (supplied)
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Representing the profession that impacts individual lives and communities
Michelle Oliver is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with nearly two decades of leadership and clinical expertise across the mental health, homelessness, and disability sectors. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia and is a registered practitioner with AHPRA.
