Choosing a cosmetic doctor in Sydney should be a structured decision, not a rushed one. AHPRA's public guidance is useful here because it shifts the focus away from advertising language and back toward registration, qualifications, informed consent, and safety.
The most useful first question is not "who seems impressive online?". It is "what can I verify, what questions should I ask, and do I feel I have enough information to decide safely?".
Start with the AHPRA Register
Before anything else, check that the doctor is registered to practise in Australia. AHPRA provides a public online register of practitioners. Search the doctor's name or registration number and review the registration details shown there.
AHPRA's public cosmetic surgery guidance also says that if you cannot find the doctor on the register, ask for their registration number. This is a basic safety step and should happen before you book further care.
Understand the Referral Rules Before Consultation
AHPRA's public guidance says that anyone considering cosmetic surgery must first obtain a referral from their GP before the first consultation with the doctor who may perform the procedure. That referral helps communicate important medical background information and acts as an extra safety measure.
If a clinic suggests the referral is unnecessary for cosmetic surgery consultation, that should make you pause and check the current rules for yourself.
Ask About Training, Qualifications, and Procedure Experience
AHPRA's public information makes another important point: finding a doctor on the register is not enough to tell you whether they are the right person for your procedure. You still need to ask about their qualifications, training, experience with the procedure you are considering, and their rates of complication or revision surgery.
Good consultation questions include:
- What qualifications do you hold?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- What are the main risks in my case?
- What alternatives are there to surgery?
- How often do you see patients back after the procedure?
- How do you handle complications or an unexpected recovery issue?
Make Sure the Consent Discussion Is Detailed
A proper consultation should cover the risks and possible complications, the likely recovery, the fees, what alternatives exist, and what happens if you choose not to proceed. AHPRA's public guidance also says patients should be given the opportunity to ask questions and seek more information before surgery.
If the conversation feels rushed, vague, or overly sales-focused, that is a warning sign. Cosmetic surgery should be discussed as a medical decision with risks and limits, not as a guaranteed consumer outcome.
Check Where the Procedure Takes Place
Ask where the procedure will be performed, what type of facility is used, what anaesthesia is recommended, and who will provide it. This matters because the setting affects monitoring, staff support, and the overall safety plan.
It is also worth asking who you contact after hours if you are worried during recovery and where you would be reviewed if healing is not going to plan.
Cooling-Off Period and Second Opinions
AHPRA's public guidance states that there must be a cooling-off period of at least seven days after consent and before the surgery can be booked or paid for. That time is there for a reason. Use it to review the written information, revisit the risks, and decide whether you want a second opinion.
Seeking a second opinion is reasonable, particularly if the procedure is significant, the fee is substantial, or you are unsure whether surgery is the best option.
Red Flags to Notice Early
Some patterns should prompt extra caution:
- Pressure to book quickly or pay immediately
- Reluctance to discuss risks in detail
- Unclear qualifications or vague answers about training
- No clear explanation of aftercare arrangements
- Fees that are not clearly itemised
- Difficulty verifying the doctor on AHPRA
How This Applies at Dr Konrat's Practice
If you are specifically comparing Dr Georgina Konrat with other cosmetic doctors, you can review her registration and background on the Why Dr Georgina Konrat? page or on the Meet Our Team page. Procedure pages on this site also place the risks section near the top and provide procedure-specific risk detail because informed consent should not be an afterthought.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check whether a cosmetic doctor is registered in Australia?
Use the AHPRA online register and search the practitioner's name or registration number. Check that they are currently registered and review the registration details shown.
Do I need a GP referral before cosmetic surgery consultation?
Yes. AHPRA's public guidance says patients considering cosmetic surgery need a GP referral before the first consultation with the doctor who may perform the procedure.
What questions should I ask during consultation?
Ask about qualifications, experience with the specific procedure, risks, alternatives, likely recovery, fee inclusions, where the procedure is performed, and who provides aftercare.