Semi Solomon

This page exists for Semi Solomon, a member of the Me Clinic team.

We are not publishing a role or qualifications here, because we do not hold verified current details for this page. Our practitioners and their AHPRA registration numbers are on meet the team; phone 1300 852 050 to ask who would look after you.

In its place, the single most useful thing to understand when comparing cosmetic clinics.

What "specialist" actually means

In Australia, specialist is a legal category, not a description. A doctor has specialist registration only after completing a training programme accredited by a recognised college and being awarded its fellowship. It appears on the AHPRA register as Specialist registration with the specialty and field named.

For cosmetic surgical procedures the relevant one is Specialist registration - Surgery - Plastic Surgery, which requires fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). That is typically five or more years of supervised surgical training after general medical registration, with examinations.

There is no specialty of cosmetic surgery

This is the part that surprises most people. "Cosmetic surgery" is not an AHPRA-recognised specialty. No college fellowship confers specialist registration in it, because the category does not exist.

Since 1 July 2023, the title "cosmetic surgeon" has been restricted, and a medical practitioner must hold an approved endorsement to use it. A doctor without specialist surgical registration may still perform some cosmetic procedures - what they may not do is present themselves in a way that implies specialist surgical training they do not have.

Protected and unprotected titles

Protected - these mean something specific

• Specialist Plastic Surgeon (and "surgeon" generally)
• Medical practitioner, doctor (in a medical sense)
• Registered nurse, nurse practitioner
• Dermatologist, anaesthetist, and other recognised specialties

Not protected - anyone may use these

• Cosmetic physician, aesthetic physician, aesthetic doctor
• Phlebologist
• Dermal clinician, dermal therapist, aesthetician, skin specialist
• "Expert in", "leading", "pioneer of", "award-winning"

The unprotected ones are not necessarily dishonest - many describe genuine skill and training. They simply do not tell you what a protected title tells you, and they should not be read as if they did.

Letters after a name

Not all post-nominals are equivalent. FRACS is a specialist surgical fellowship. Some other fellowships are awarded by private colleges or academies after much shorter programmes. Both may appear as "F..." followed by capitals, and they look similar in a footer.

The reliable check is not the letters. It is the AHPRA register: if it does not say "Specialist registration", they do not hold one.

How to check, in a minute

Go to ahpra.gov.au, search the register by registration number, and read the entry. It shows registration type, specialty, qualifications, endorsements, and any conditions or reprimands. Every practitioner must give you their registration number if you ask.

What this does not tell you

Specialist registration tells you about training, not about a particular surgeon's experience with your procedure, their complication rate, or whether they will listen to you. Ask about those separately - see questions worth asking any clinic.

Me Clinic, 4 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145. Phone 1300 852 050 or (03) 9569 3511.

Related: meet the team, choosing the right practitioner.

Individual results may vary. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.