2026 Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine
52900WA Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine
Australia’s first nationally accredited postgraduate qualification in cosmetic medicine — designed for doctors, by doctors.
Course at a Glance
Course Start:
Now accepting applications for enrolment
Course Mode:
Flexible / per unit
Study Mode:
Online / blended
“[The Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine] is the first nationally accredited qualification designed specifically for doctors seeking formal education in cosmetic medicine.”
Full Course Information
The Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine (GCCM) is the first Australian nationally accredited qualification in cosmetic medicine. This comprehensive training provides medical professionals with the knowledge and skills to fulfil the role of a Cosmetic Physician — achieving best-practice standards for cosmetic treatments and meeting all requirements stipulated by Ahpra. Lecture and assessment content focus on the delivery and promotion of cosmetic services, scope of practice, patient communication and assessment, cosmetic dermatology, facial aesthetics and anatomy, and in-depth knowledge and skills in cosmetic injectables. The course is tailored for both new and practising cosmetic doctors across Australia.
Click the headings below to find out more.
Curriculum
This course is suited to doctors currently practising cosmetic medicine who want to formalise their expertise, GPs looking to expand into cosmetic procedures, and doctors seeking a nationally accredited pathway into the field.
Click a unit code below to find out more.
GCMPCM01 – Analyse the principles of cosmetic medicine
This unit provides the underpinning knowledge to prepare doctors for practice as a cosmetic physician. It focuses on multi-disciplinary practice, examining the scope of practice for each cosmetic professional, including the allied health workers who support cosmetic patients. Lectures cover the governance surrounding cosmetic practice, with attention to appropriate marketing strategies, medical indemnity, and the cosmetic physician’s role in a supervisory capacity. This unit is applied by medical doctors within a cosmetic medical context.
GCMRPA01 – Review patient consultation and assessment strategies
This unit covers the foundation skills needed to ensure thorough, effective consultation strategies in aesthetic practice. Lectures provide a step-by-step guide to assessment as part of a holistic consultation – including referral, informed consent, and written and photographic documentation – to support positive patient outcomes. They also explore the patient management systems currently used in aesthetics and how these tie together every aspect of patient assessment and consultation to ensure best practice. This unit is applied by medical doctors within a cosmetic medical context.
GCMAPD01 – Apply principles of dermatology to cosmetic medicine
This unit evaluates the principles of dermatology and their application to cosmetic practice. Lectures explore both cosmetic and dermatological skin conditions, with a focus on developing a holistic treatment plan built on a multi-modality approach that includes dermal therapies and prescription topical and systemic medications. Doctors gain a sound understanding of the cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, differential diagnosis of skin disorders, over-the-counter dispensing, prescription skin care, non-ionising cosmetic devices and epidermal resurfacing techniques. This unit is applied by medical doctors within a cosmetic medical context.
HLTINF005 – Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments
This unit ensures doctors hold the essential knowledge and skills to maintain infection prevention across all areas of cosmetic medical practice. Lectures focus on current hygiene standards and regulations and the principles of infection prevention in a cosmetic medical context. The unit is divided into theory and practical components, with the practical competencies demonstrated and assessed during hands-on training.
GCMPAI01 – Prepare for and administer cosmetic injectable medications
This unit provides doctors with the underpinning theoretical knowledge and practical skills for prescribing and administering basic cosmetic injectable procedures. Learning covers the standard best-practice protocols for cosmetic neurotoxins and a range of dermal fillers, and develops knowledge of facial anatomy, rheology, pharmacology, and absolute and relative contraindications. Clinical skills are developed through supervised case studies covering consultation, informed consent, facial analysis, product selection, dosage and patient aftercare advice, ensuring a complete and effective cosmetic medical service. This unit is applied by medical doctors within a cosmetic medical context.
Study mode
The course is developed by the CPCA and delivered by AACDS as the exclusive Registered Training Organisation. The CPCA has a formal partnership with AACDS and has worked collaboratively with them since 2019 to develop and accredit the course. It is the first nationally accredited qualification designed specifically for doctors seeking formal education in cosmetic medicine.
Graduates complete five Units of Competency in sequence, building a deep theoretical grounding in the principles of cosmetic medicine. All theory is conducted online, with all learning materials written by the CPCA. Medical practitioners are required to submit assessments for each unit before progressing to the next.
A key aspect of the course is the intensive practical. Following completion of the theory units, medical doctors complete the final unit, “Prepare for and administer cosmetic injectable medications.” This practical involves three in-clinic training days, delivered at one of AACDS’s fully operational Aspire Training Clinics in Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast or Melbourne.
The practical is overseen by two highly experienced cosmetic doctors (CPCA Fellows) who are endorsed as trainers by the CPCA, with a maximum of four students per two trainers to ensure the highest level of learning. The in-clinic training days are followed by two full days of structured mentorship with an approved CPCA mentor (CPCA Fellow).
Course duration and study load
The course is self-paced and is typically completed part-time over 18–24 months. You are required to successfully fulfil the requirements of each unit of competency, in sequence, before progressing to the next – ensuring a deep theoretical grounding in the principles of cosmetic medicine before undertaking practical training.
The study load varies by unit, ranging from approximately 8 to 16 weeks, with a typical commitment of around 6 hours per week. This timeframe is deliberately paced so the qualification remains manageable alongside a demanding clinical practice and other professional obligations.
While studying the online theory components, candidates are supported across all units by highly experienced cosmetic doctors. This support is always doctor-led and coordinated by AACDS’s Education Manager, Medical Aesthetics, who is also a Fellow of the CPCA and the CPCA’s Education Officer.
Practical
The practical component of this course comprises of:
- Four in-clinic training days of hands-on training, with a maximum of four students per two trainers (CPCA Fellows).
- Two full days of structured mentorship with an approved mentor (CPCA Fellow).
Course outcomes
Candidates are required to successfully fulfil the requirements of each unit before proceeding to the next. This ensures a sound theoretical and practical grounding in how to operate within the cosmetic medical profession and to recognise and manage general medical and dermatological concerns that may arise during consultations for cosmetic procedures.
The GCCM is recognised on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) at Level 8, meaning it is a postgraduate-level qualification. Graduates achieving this postgraduate qualification can use the postnominal GradCertCosmeticMed.
The course is recognised under the CPCA’s Continuing Professional Development framework in the Knowledge & Skills category. Each unit of the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine constitutes medical education in the cosmetic field and, as such, may be recognised for CPD by some organisations. Currently, the CPCA will credit each unit providing 50 to 100 hours (depending on the unit). This can be logged in Q4 / subcategory 3d in the College’s CPD Wizard.
Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine graduates who have also completed a minimum number of logged hours working in the aesthetic treatment areas covered by the course are encouraged to apply to the CPCA Membership Review Committee for an upgrade to Full Membership of the College, if they do not already hold it.
Pathway to CPCA Fellowship
The Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine will be a prerequisite for the upcoming Graduate Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine (GDCM). Obtaining the GDCM, along with a minimum number of logged hours, allows a CPCA Full Member to apply to the Membership Review Committee for an upgrade to Fellow. Until the GDCM is available, the usual pathways to Fellowship of the CPCA remain in place.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is available to eligible candidates. AACDS recognises the breadth of experience individual medical practitioners bring, and has streamlined the RPL process. To apply for RPL, please apply here and select RPL in the application form.
Medical practitioners who have completed the CPCA’s Preliminary Essentials of Cosmetic Medicine will receive a discount and RPL for aspects of the unit “GCMPCM01 – Analyse the principles of cosmetic medicine.”
Admission requirements
This course is suited to doctors currently practising cosmetic medicine who want to formalise their expertise, GPs looking to expand into cosmetic procedures, and doctors seeking a nationally accredited pathway into the field. Entry requirements are:
- Current Australian registration through Ahpra as a Medical Doctor (or the equivalent in country of practice).
- A minimum of two years’ postgraduate experience in medicine.
Fees
Fees for this course are $20, 940 total (GST exempt) and are paid per unit at the commencement of each study period, so the full amount is not required upfront. Payment plans are available.
Unit Code
GCMPCM01
GCMRPA01
GCMAPD01
HLTINF005
GCMPAI01
Unit Name
Analyse the principles of cosmetic medicine
Review patient consultation and assessment strategies
Apply principles of dermatology to cosmetic medicine
Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments
Prepare for and administer cosmetic injectable medications
Total course fee (GST exempt):
Fees
$3500
$3500
$3500
$440
$3500 (Theory)
$6500 (Practical)
$20,940
Ongoing professional development
Candidates undertaking the course are encouraged to become a member of the CPCA if they are not already. This qualification, in association with ongoing CPCA membership, provides further education opportunities. Members gain entry into the CPCA’s registrar program and access to the annual conference, medical aesthetic workshops, journal club meetings and an active peer discussion group, along with mentoring and employment opportunities. Together, the qualification and CPCA membership give practitioners the clinical credibility and professional network needed to build a sustainable career in cosmetic medicine.
Policies and procedures
Upon enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Medicine, all AACDS policies will apply. You will receive a copy of the student handbook at enrolment, and can access the privacy policy via this link.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the practical structured?
The practical combines four in-clinic training days at an Aspire Training Clinic with two full days of one-on-one mentoring from an approved CPCA cosmetic physician, giving you supervised, hands-on experience before you’re signed off. Timing varies by student. - Is the course clinically relevant?
Yes. The course is written by the CPCA and covers current clinical practice. It is also recognised under the CPCA’s Continuing Professional Development framework in the Knowledge & Skills category, with each unit providing 50 to 100 CPD hours (depending on the unit). - Who should do the course?
This course is suited to doctors currently practising cosmetic medicine who want to formalise their expertise, GPs looking to expand into cosmetic procedures, and doctors seeking a nationally accredited pathway into the field. - Do I have to be a member of the CPCA?
No, but membership is highly recommended. As a member, you gain access to the CPCA’s registrar program, the annual conference, medical aesthetic workshops, journal club meetings and an active peer discussion group, along with mentoring and employment opportunities. - Who are the trainers?
The trainers are cosmetic physicians who have been assessed by AACDS as competent across every procedure they teach. All hold a medical degree, along with fellowship qualifications in cosmetic medicine. - What are the postnominals?
Graduates use the postnominal GradCertCosmeticMed.
If you have any other questions, please submit them using the query form available here. Your enquiry will be directed to AACDS where you can provide your details to their team of experienced course advisors. If you have any detailed questions of a medical nature the team will escalate and seek guidance from the CPCA.
Apply Now
To apply for the Graduate Certificate of Cosmetic Medicine please click on this link and complete the custom form via the AACDS website. The AACDS team will then be in touch to facilitate your enrolment.
This course is developed by the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia (CPCA) and delivered by the Australasian Acadamy of Cosmetic Dermal Science (AACDS), as the exclusive Registered Training Organisation.The CPCA has a formal partnership with AACDS and has worked collaboratively with them since 2019 to develop and accredit this course.