Beauty and cosmetic services

Learn about the laws that provide the framework for the operation of the beauty and cosmetic industry and how they protect you. 

On this page

The beauty and cosmetic industry provides services and products designed to help us look and feel good. Australian Consumer Law and health legislation provides a legal framework for the operation of the industry to protect consumers and their rights.

Types of beauty and cosmetic services

Beauty and cosmetic services can be delivered at:

  • beauty, hair and nail salons
  • spas and hotels
  • a cosmetic surgery or clinic 
  • a home.

They include:

  • haircuts, dying and styling
  • makeup application
  • face and body spa treatments, including micro-needling, anti-ageing treatments, Botox, dermal fillers, non-surgical breast and hip enhancements, nose-bridge lifts, eyelid suturing
  • manicure and pedicures
  • hair removal, including threading, waxing and laser treatments
  • cosmetic tattooing
  • false eyelash application.

Services that require qualifications

Some treatments and procedures can include the administration of prescription-only medication, for example, Botox, dermal fillers and anaesthetics. This should be carried out by suitably qualified professionals in a hygienic environment.

Seek advice from a medical practitioner or your GP before you undergo a beauty procedure. They can advise you about potential health or infection risks.

You can ask to see the professional’s qualifications before the treatment and check their registration with the  Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) online.

Your consumer rights when purchasing cosmetic goods and services

Under Australian Consumer Law, most products or services bought in Australia after 1 January 2011 come with automatic consumer guarantees that the product or service you purchased will:

Products and services you purchase come with automatic consumer guarantees, including beauty and cosmetic products and services.

Proof of purchase and documentation

You have the right to receive proof of purchase. Businesses must give you a receipt for goods or services valued at $75 or more. You can ask for a receipt for a transaction under $75 and the business must give it to you within 7 days.

Some cosmetic and beauty procedures are supplied under a contract. If you are asked to sign a contract, you are entitled to receive a written copy (including its terms and conditions). Keep this for your records and in case you need to refer to the contract terms during a dispute. For more information, refer to our Contracts page.

If the service has a warranty, it will give you some extra protection against faults or defects. Warranties generally have terms and conditions attached and it’s your responsibility to be aware of these.

Advertising

Advertising can be a powerful means of persuasion, so it’s important it is truthful, accurate and easy to understand. Australian Consumer Law protects consumers from deceptive advertising claims and conduct.

Businesses are not allowed to make false or misleading representations about their products or services. This includes advertising for beauty and cosmetic services.

The remedy if something goes wrong with your beauty or cosmetic service

The remedy when things go wrong will depend on whether the problem is major or minor.

You are entitled to an appropriate remedy from the business when the product or service you purchased does not meet one or more of the consumer guarantees.

This might be:

  • a refund
  • cancellation
  •  replacement
  • further service to rectify the problem
  • reimbursement for damages and consequential loss in some cases.

The remedy will depend on whether the problem is:

You can find out more by visiting our repairs, replacements and refunds page.

Some advice if you are considering cosmetic procedures and treatments

Cosmetic procedures and treatments can be complicated and may pose significant risks to your health and wellbeing.

Choosing to have one is a significant decision that should not be made without thorough research into the:

  • procedure
  • facility
  • provider
  • health risks involved.

Things you should do before making a purchase

Before you make a purchase, find out:

  • whether there is a refund policy
  • how much the total service costs
  • how much notice you need to give in case you need to cancel a treatment
  • the preferred method of payment and if there is a hidden cost if you pay another way
  • whether there is a cooling-off period if you sign up for a deal
  • what happens if you change your mind.

Always carefully read the terms and conditions of any contract and check for hidden costs. Be wary of pre-payment or providing credit card details upfront in case you need to cancel or change your mind.

Do your research

Before committing to a cosmetic procedure, NSW Fair Trading and NSW Health recommend you undertake the following research as a minimum:

  • Seek advice from a health practitioner such as your GP about any health risks that may be involved before deciding to proceed.
  • Ask about the qualifications, training and experience of the person who will perform the procedure or treatment. If they claim to be a nurse or doctor, you should check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and confirm they are registered in Australia.
  • Check that the facility is clean and hygienic. Depending on the type of procedure being provided, the premises may need to be registered with the local council or licenced as a private health facility by NSW Health. Private health facilities must display a copy of their licence. Visit the NSW Health website.
  • Check that the provider is complying with any applicable codes of conduct:

Once you have quotes for the desired service, keep in mind that dramatically cheaper estimates could indicate that the products are counterfeit or non-registered Australian medicines.

Be careful of special offers, promotions and promises

Be aware of special offers, promotions and verbal promises when shopping for beauty and cosmetic products and treatments. Some deals may not be as good as they seem once you read the fine print.

Cheap prices may indicate:

  • that unqualified staff are performing the procedure or treatment
  • that products are counterfeit, or
  • the products are not approved for use in Australia.

Before buying a deal, carefully read the terms and conditions to avoid any hidden costs.

Do not let the offer of a great deal persuade you to pay for something that you might not have otherwise bought.

If you purchase a gift card or voucher from a cosmetic and beauty service provider, check if there are any special conditions. Most gift cards and vouchers sold in NSW should come with a minimum expiry period of three years.

Look out for sales pitches and the hard sell

Be aware that offers for ‘free’ consultations and makeovers can lead to pressure to purchase products you might not want. While extreme salespeople are in the minority, the use of high-pressure, bullying sales tactics may be more common and include:

  • implying your appearance or health will suffer without their products or services
  • asking you a series of questions where the answers are obviously ‘yes’ thereby making you feel you need the product
  • praising a product for its amazing yet unrealistic benefits
  • trying to get your sympathy by claiming that they are one sale short of winning a prize, or will lose their job if they do not meet their quota
  • claiming you have wasted their time and money if you listened to their spiel but then said you didn’t want the product
  • offering a discount if you sign the contract or buy the product on the day.

Ask about the qualifications, training and experience of the person who will perform the procedure or treatment. If they claim to be a nurse or doctor, you should check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and confirm they are registered in Australia.

Check that the facility is clean and hygienic. Depending on the type of procedure being provided, the premises may need to be registered with the local council or licenced as a private health facility by NSW Health. Private health facilities must display a copy of their licence. 

Check that the provider is complying with any applicable codes of conduct.

Unregistered health practitioners providing cosmetic health services must comply with the NSW Health code of conduct for unregistered health professionals.

Registered health practitioners may need to comply with a professional code of conduct, which is regulated by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC). Find more information on the code of conduct on the website.

Once you have quotes for the desired service, keep in mind that dramatically cheaper estimates could indicate that the products are counterfeit or non-registered Australian medicines.

Making a complaint

View cosmetics recalls in Australia.

If you experience any medical complications after a cosmetic procedure, seek medical advice straight away.

If you believe you have purchased a counterfeit product, you may also wish to seek professional medical advice.

If you want to complain about the conduct of a registered health practitioner or the standard of clinical care you received, contact the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

Contact the business in the first instance and explain the problem. If the matter is complicated and not urgent, you could write an email or letter. We have tips and sample letters to help you.

If you’re unable to resolve the matter with the business, you can lodge a complaint: 

Online

If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.

Make a complaint

By mail

Post your complaint form and documentation to: 

NSW Fair Trading

PO Box 972 

Parramatta NSW 2124 

Ask a question 

If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry. 

Make an enquiry
 

Download as PDF Print this page
Top of page