Red light therapy in Brisbane and Queensland: what to know

What should Brisbane and Queensland readers know before trying red light therapy?

If you’ve been looking into red light therapy in Brisbane, or red light or LED light therapy anywhere in Queensland, from north Brisbane to the regions, this page is a practical guide to who to ask and where to go. It covers Queensland health and consumer contacts, the one Queensland licensing rule that relates to light devices, plug-in safety in storm season, and why sun protection is a separate topic.

Before starting red light therapy, especially if you have a health condition, take medicines, are pregnant or have concerns about your eyes or skin, talk with your GP or another registered health professional.

Most of the rules that apply to red light therapy in Australia are national, so they’re the same in Queensland as everywhere else. For the national buying checks, including the ARTG, device specifications, electrical safety marks and your consumer rights, see buying a device in Australia. If you’re new to the topic, start with the library hub.

This is general information, not medical, legal or electrical advice.

Who can you talk to about your health in Queensland?

healthdirect. Its Service Finder describes itself as “Australia’s most comprehensive directory of healthcare professionals and services”. healthdirect also offers 24-hour health advice on 1800 022 222.[1]
13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). This is a confidential Queensland Government phone service where you can talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It says it isn’t a diagnostic service and shouldn’t replace a medical consultation. In an emergency, always dial 000.[2]
Ahpra’s register of practitioners. If you want to check a health practitioner, Ahpra says: “When a health practitioner’s name appears on the list, you know that they are allowed to practise.”[3]

Your GP is a good first contact for questions about whether red light therapy suits you. For general safety information, see is red light therapy safe?

Are there Queensland rules for light-based devices?

The Queensland-specific rule relates to cosmetic lasers, not to every light device. The Queensland Government says there are currently no Australia-wide requirements on who may deliver a light-based cosmetic service using laser or IPL devices. In Queensland, the only people required to undergo training and get a licence are those who use “class 4” laser devices.[4] Queensland Health puts it this way: “Any person who uses Class 4 laser apparatus must hold an appropriate use licence.”[5]

That licensing rule is about Class 4 lasers. It isn’t a set of rules for LED red light devices.

Household plug-in equipment is covered by the national system. WorkSafe Queensland says household, personal and similar-use equipment “is regulated under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) in Queensland.”[6] For what the RCM mark means, see buying a device in Australia.

Therapeutic goods are regulated nationally by the TGA. For the basics, see TGA and ARTG explained.

Where can Queenslanders go with a consumer or product-safety question?

If something goes wrong with a device you’ve bought, it’s usually worth talking to the business first. If that doesn’t work, Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) handles complaints about businesses.[4]

General complaints: phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email Brisbane.OFT@justice.qld.gov.au.[7]
Unsafe products: you can report an unsafe product to the OFT’s Consumer Product Safety team at safety@justice.qld.gov.au.[7]
Who can complain: this includes people who live in Queensland and buy goods or services from another state or territory.[8]
What to expect: the OFT says, “We aim to resolve most complaints within 30 days.” It also says it can’t provide compensation.[8]

Complaints about a medical clinic or practitioner go to the Office of the Health Ombudsman, not the OFT.[4] Ahpra also says complaints about a service or fee go to “the relevant healthcare complaints organisation in your state or territory.”[3]

Your consumer rights are explained on buying a device in Australia.

How can you keep a plug-in device safe through storm and wet season?

Queensland storms can bring water into homes. Energex says: “Water can also damage the wiring inside your property or electrical appliances, making them dangerous to use, even after they are dry.” Energex also says you’ll need a licensed electrical contractor to inspect them before you reconnect to power.[9]

Some general habits for any plug-in device:

Check the device, cord and plug for damage, overheating marks or moisture before each use.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including how to store and use the device.
Unplug devices during storms.
If a device has been wet, don’t use it until it has been checked.

For general device safety, see is red light therapy safe?, and for electrical safety marks, see buying a device in Australia.

Is red light therapy related to Queensland’s sun and UV?

Sun protection is its own everyday topic in Queensland. Queensland Health says: “Sun protection is required when the UV Index is 3 or above. In Queensland the UV index is 3 or above all year round, even in winter.”[10]

Cancer Council Queensland describes UV as “a form of invisible energy that can also come from artificial sources like solariums”.[11] Red light is visible light, not UV, and a red light device isn’t sun protection. Using one doesn’t change the need to protect your skin from the sun.

Cancer Council Australia’s Five SunSmart steps set out how to protect your skin. It says: “Sunscreen is not a suit of armour and should be used with the other four sun protection measures.”[12]

For how red light compares with sunlight, see comparisons. For terms like UV, wavelength and nanometres, see the glossary.

What questions could you take to your GP?

Is red light therapy suitable for me, given my health and any medicines I take?
Is there anything about my skin or eyes you’d want to check first?
If I’m thinking about a laser or IPL cosmetic service rather than a home device, what should I ask? (For these services, the Queensland Government says it’s “very important to have a medical practitioner check the area of the skin that is going to be targeted” first.[4])
How would I know if I should stop?
Is any cost covered by Medicare or my health fund?

For how red light is thought to work, see how red light works. For what device specifications mean, see how to choose a device.

FAQ

Are there special rules for red light therapy in Queensland? The Queensland-specific licensing rule is for people who use Class 4 laser devices.[4][5] Most other rules are national. See buying a device in Australia.

Is red light therapy in QLD covered by Medicare or health funds? Ask your GP or your health fund.

Who do I contact about an unsafe device in Queensland? You can report an unsafe product to the Office of Fair Trading’s Consumer Product Safety team at safety@justice.qld.gov.au.[7]

Does red light therapy replace sunscreen? No. Red light isn’t UV and isn’t sun protection. Follow the SunSmart steps whenever the UV index is 3 or above, which in Queensland is all year round.[10][12]

Where can I get health advice at any hour in Queensland? Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to talk with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day.[2]

For advice about your own health, please talk with your GP. In Queensland you can also call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to speak with a registered nurse, and in an emergency always dial 000.

Sources

healthdirect. Service Finder. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services
Queensland Government. 13 HEALTH: Health advice over the phone (last updated 7 January 2020). https://www.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/advice/13health
Ahpra. Register of practitioners. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx
Queensland Government. Understand the risks of light-based cosmetic services (last updated 1 January 2025). https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/all/prevention/beauty-therapy/light-based-cosmetic-services/risks
Queensland Health. Laser licensing (last updated 18 August 2026). https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/industry-environment/personal-appearance/laser-licensing
WorkSafe Queensland. Selling electrical equipment (last updated 12 September 2019). https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/hazards/electricity/electrical-products-and-equipment/selling-electrical-equipment
Queensland Government, Office of Fair Trading. Complaints and investigations (last updated 19 August 2026). https://www.qld.gov.au/community/fair-trading/fair-trading-services-programs-and-resources/fair-trading-services-and-contact-information/contact-us/complaints-and-investigations
Queensland Government, Office of Fair Trading. Understand the complaint process (last updated 1 April 2026). https://www.qld.gov.au/community/fair-trading/consumer-rights-complaints-and-scams/make-a-consumer-complaint/understand-the-complaint-process
Energex. Keeping safe in severe weather. https://www.energex.com.au/outages/storms-and-disasters/keeping-safe-in-severe-weather
Queensland Health. Sun safety in outdoor settings (last updated 28 August 2025). https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/industry-environment/environment-land-water/sun-safety-in-outdoor-settings
Cancer Council Queensland. Protecting your skin. https://cancerqld.org.au/understanding-cancer/prevention/protecting-your-skin/
Cancer Council Australia. Five SunSmart steps. https://www.cancer.org.au/save-your-skin/five-sunsmart-steps