Fake Nurse Sentenced After Unauthorised Cosmetic Injections in Victoria
19 Oct 2026
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) investigated Betty Sonia Bieniek after she advertised cosmetic injectable services on social media while falsely presenting herself as a registered nurse.
The Frankston Magistrates’ Court heard that Ms Bieniek operated a cosmetic injection business and used the initials “RN” in her Facebook advertising to suggest she held nursing registration.
In September 2024, she visited a client’s home to provide under-eye cosmetic injections. She introduced herself as a nurse and claimed to have completed nursing training in Western Australia.
The client, who was also a qualified nurse, became concerned that the treatment did not follow standard clinical procedures. She experienced significant bruising afterwards and reported the incident to Ahpra the following day.
An investigation found that Ms Bieniek had used the identity of another registered practitioner without their knowledge or involvement. When contacted by an Ahpra investigator in October 2024, she continued to claim she was registered despite never having held nursing registration.
Ms Bieniek pleaded guilty at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 17 September 2026 to four offences involving falsely claiming nursing qualifications, using the title “RN” and presenting herself as a registered nurse.
She was sentenced on 16 October 2026 and ordered to complete 150 hours of community work under a Community Corrections Order. She was also directed to pay Ahpra $7,192.30 in legal costs.
Magistrate Louise Wildberger said the registration system plays an important role in protecting the public. She noted that people should be able to trust the qualifications and registration status of practitioners providing health services.
The magistrate said Ms Bieniek’s actions had undermined the integrity of the system and highlighted the deliberate nature of the offences. She also determined that a fine alone would not adequately reflect their seriousness.
Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner cautioned that pretending to be a registered health professional can endanger patients, particularly when services are provided without proper qualifications or regulatory supervision.
He described using another practitioner’s identity to administer facial injections without the required qualifications as reckless behaviour and said the case demonstrated that such conduct carries serious consequences.
Ahpra has also strengthened requirements for practitioners performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures to improve patient safety across the industry.
Anyone concerned about whether a practitioner is genuinely registered or qualified can contact Ahpra to raise their concerns.
Fake Nurse Sentenced After Unauthorised Cosmetic Injections in Victoria
Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)