The regulation of plastic and cosmetic surgery in Australia involves a multifaceted framework designed to safeguard patient safety, uphold ethical standards, and ensure professional accountability. Federal oversight is provided by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Medical Board of Australia, which set national standards for practitioner registration and conduct. These include mandatory mental health screening, informed consent, cooling-off periods, and compliance with anaesthesia safety guidelines for high-risk procedures. State-level regulations complement these frameworks, with laws governing facility licensing and healthcare complaint mechanisms. Despite these measures, significant gaps persist in cosmetic surgery regulation. Unlike fully accredited plastic surgeons certified by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), general practitioners can legally perform minimally invasive cosmetic procedures without specialist training. This disparity raises concerns about patient safety and care standardisation. Emerging challenges include the rise of minimally invasive procedures conducted by unregulated providers and the popularity of medical tourism, further complicating regulatory enforcement. Additionally, misleading advertising and aggressive marketing strategies continue to undermine ethical standards. Recent inquiries have highlighted the need for reforms, including stricter accreditation requirements, public practitioner registers, and enhanced patient rights. Strengthened regulatory frameworks are essential to addressing these gaps, ensuring safety and quality in Australia’s plastic and cosmetic surgery sector.