The professional conduct of health practitioners and students is guided by the ‘Codes and Guidelines’ and ‘Registration Standards’ of their relevant health profession.
Any person can notify AHPRA with concerns relating to the conduct of a registered health practitioner or student.
When a conduct-related notification is received by AHPRA, the health practitioner or student may be investigated by a relevant National Board, to ensure appropriate action is taken, if required, to protect the public.
Unprofessional Conduct
Unprofessional conduct includes:
- breach of the National Law
- breach of a registration condition or undertaking
- conviction for an offence that may affect suitability to continue practice
- providing health services that are excessive, unnecessary or not reasonably required
- influencing, or attempting to influence, the conduct of another registered health practitioner that may compromise patient care
- accepting a benefit as inducement, consideration or reward, for referrals or recommendations to use a health service provider
- offering or giving a person a benefit, consideration or reward, in return for providing referrals or recommendations to use a health service provider
- referring a person to, or recommending another health service provider, health service or health product, if there is a financial interest, unless the interest is disclosed
Professional Misconduct
Professional misconduct includes:
- conduct that is substantially below the standard reasonably expected of a registered health practitioner of an equivalent level of training or experience
- more than one instance of unprofessional conduct
- conduct that is not consistent with being a fit and proper person to hold registration in the profession
Notifiable Conduct
Practitioners, employers and education providers are all mandated by law to report certain notifiable conduct relating to a practitioner or student. Registered practitioners who fail to report notifiable conduct may face disciplinary action by their National Board.
Such conduct includes:
- intoxication by alcohol or drugs while practising or training in the profession
- engagement in sexual misconduct in connection with the practice or training of the profession
- an impairment that places the public at risk of substantial harm
- a significant departure from accepted professional standards that places the public at risk of harm