Beauty industry flooded with unregistered practitioners and illegal chemicals

A cosmetic injector who specialises in fixing dodgy Botox jobs has revealed the price that should raise red flags about whether you are getting a safe, legal product injected.

Thousands of Australians have sounded the alarm over botched beauty treatment to the nation’s health watchdogs as border security stopped almost 100 attempts to import illegal cosmetic injections.

A spate of confronting figures uncovered by The Sunday Telegraph paint a concerning picture of Australia’s growing beauty industry, after three women were treated for botulism following anti-wrinkle injections from an allegedly unregistered injector.

Since September, patients have made more than 1400 calls to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s cosmetic complaints hotline, with the agency investigating 283 non-surgical cosmetic notifications, with 18 resulting in regulatory action.

Separately, 99 referrals were made by border security officials to the Therapeutic Goods Administration in the 2023-2024 financial year, flagging attempts to import unregulated injectables.

The health watchdog is separately investigating 1900 reports of noncompliance including anti-wrinkle injections and other popular health and wellness treatments.

Ellie Roberts from Freshen Up Freshwater specialises in rectifying botched cosmetic injection work. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Additional figures from the Healthcare Complaints Commission have revealed 95 complaints about cosmetic treatments provided by registered health practitioners in the previous financial year.

Twenty-one complaints were made about specific cosmetic therapists – almost double that of the previous year.

Former intensive care nurse and now cosmetic injector Ellie Roberts – who is not the subject of complaints to the HCCC – said she often takes on clients who are looking to rectify dodgy procedures.

She said the potential consequences of going to underqualified practitioners were dire.

“There is a massive risk that things can go wrong if someone isn’t trained,” Ms Roberts said.

“The face is filled with muscles and large blood supply, so it is super important that the injectors are trained in facial anatomy, as over-relaxing some areas can have side effects like droopy eyelids, Bell’s palsy and facial drooping.”

Based on the recommended retail price for approved products in Australia, Ms Roberts said any injection treatments under $300 per area should raise a red flag for consumers.

“Consumers really need to take their safety in their own hands,” she said.

The HCCC issued a public health warning and an interim prohibition order for Norsafiza Binti Zakaria, banning her from performing procedures after she allegedly injected the trio of women at a Guildford home.

Norsafiza (Natasha) Binti Zakaria, subject to a prohibition order against providing cosmetic treatments after three Sydney women contracted botulism in January 2025. Picture: Supplied

On Friday, Health Minister Mark Butler said authorities were “alive to the unregulated market that operates in these areas and making sure that Australians are kept safe”.

“There is a real risk that Australians do themselves harm by receiving products or receiving procedures from practitioners who don’t have the right qualifications,” he said.

“Regulators at state territory and federal level will continue to do everything we can to keep Australians safe.”

Dr Joseph Hkeik. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Respected Saint Clinic Group founder Joseph Hkeik said the trio of botulism cases had caused significant concern among professionals and patients alike.

“These procedures are medical in nature, and it is imperative that practitioners understand both the art and science behind them — something that comes with years of training and experience,” Dr Hkeik said.

“While it’s understandable that individuals are looking to make affordable choices, it’s critical to recognise that when it comes to medical procedures, cost should never be the primary deciding factor.”