Queensland Nurse Banned for Two Years Over Unauthorised Cosmetic Injections
07 Jan 2026
A Queensland nurse has been banned from nursing for two years after unlawfully administering botulinum toxin to a patient without a doctor’s consultation or prescription.
Investigations by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) found that Thia Sullivan not only provided cosmetic injectables without proper authorization but also created false records about the treatments and gave misleading information to investigators on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020.
Despite having her registration suspended in February 2020 due to concerns about non-compliance, Ms Sullivan continued to practice as a nurse and administered cosmetic injectables in 2020 and 2021. She was also reported to have attempted to discourage patients from cooperating with Queensland Police investigations into her conduct.
In 2022, Ms Sullivan pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates’ Court to one charge of possessing a restricted drug without endorsement and three counts of administering a restricted drug to another person.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal found all six allegations against Ms Sullivan proven, ruling her actions as professional misconduct. The Tribunal emphasised the importance of deterrence and public protection, stating that ignoring a suspension and attempting to evade investigation are serious breaches of professional standards.
Ms Sullivan has been formally reprimanded, had her registration cancelled, and is prohibited from reapplying until 29 September 2027. She cannot provide any health services, including cosmetic injectables, until she is re-registered.
Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said the decision highlights the importance of recent stricter guidelines in the cosmetic injectables sector, aiming to protect patients and prevent unauthorised procedures.
Nursing and Midwifery Board Chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM reminded the public to check practitioner registrations before undergoing treatments to ensure safety and compliance.
'Safety of the public is paramount. and this Tribunal decision shows we will leave no stone unturned to take action against practitioners who do the wrong thing.’ – Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner
News Source: AHPRA
