What Can Nurses Post? A Social Media Yes/No Guide

04 August 2026·2 min read

Quick answer: Nurses are AHPRA-registered, so their marketing is governed by section 133 of the National Law and AHPRA's advertising guidelines. Educational content, your qualifications, and how you help are all fine to post. Patient testimonials, before-and-after photos that create unrealistic expectations, guaranteed-results claims, and identifying patients are not. This is especially strict for cosmetic and aesthetic nursing. Here's a quick Yes/No guide by content type. 🤍

Wondering whether a post is compliant? Here's a scannable Yes/No guide for nurses — including cosmetic and aesthetic nurses, where the rules are strictest. 💖

Can you post it? A quick guide

Type of content	Post it?	Why
Educational tips & how-tos	✅ Yes	Safe, and the best trust-builder
Your qualifications & registration	✅ Yes	Factual info about you is fine
Meet the team / behind the scenes	✅ Yes	Great — with consent, no patient info
Answering common questions (FAQs)	✅ Yes	Educational and low-risk
General health-awareness content	✅ Yes	Keep it evidence-based
Skin & health education	✅ Yes	Evidence-based education is fine
Cosmetic/aesthetic before-and-afters	🚫 No	Strict rules — testimonial + unrealistic-expectation risk
A patient testimonial or success story	🚫 No	Prohibited under s.133 of the National Law
Re-sharing a 5-star Google review	🚫 No	Reposting a testimonial in your own advertising counts
Before-and-after photos	🚫 Risky	Can create unrealistic expectations
“Guaranteed results” claims	🚫 No	Misleading and sets false expectations
A discount or free offer	⚠️ Only with clear terms	Inducements must state the conditions
Naming or identifying a patient	🚫 No	Confidentiality — always get consent, and avoid testimonials

💡 Cosmetic nursing is under extra scrutiny. AHPRA has tightened the rules on cosmetic procedure advertising — before-and-afters, testimonials and glamorising content carry real risk. When in doubt, lead with education.

The safest play

When you're unsure, default to educational content — tips, myth-busting, and how your service helps. It's compliant every time, and it's also the most effective way for nurses to build trust and attract the right patients.

Please note: This is general information to help you market compliantly — it isn't legal advice. Advertising rules change (and cosmetic-procedure rules are especially strict), so always check the current guidance from AHPRA and the NMBA before you publish.

Frequently asked questions

Can nurses use patient testimonials?

No — as AHPRA-registered practitioners, using testimonials about clinical care in advertising is prohibited under section 133 of the National Law. That includes reviews you repost yourself.

Can cosmetic nurses post before-and-after photos?

It's high-risk. AHPRA has tightened advertising rules for cosmetic procedures, and before-and-afters can create unrealistic expectations and act as testimonials. Lead with education instead, and check the current cosmetic-procedure guidance.

What can nurses post on social media?

Educational, evidence-based content, your qualifications, behind-the-scenes (with consent), FAQs, and general health awareness. Avoid testimonials, guaranteed outcomes, misleading claims, and identifying patients.