Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Victorian man prosecuted for producing fake registration certificate
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Victorian man prosecuted for producing fake registration certificate

30 Jan 2025

Key points

  • A former nurse has been fined $5,000 for holding himself out as a registered nurse when applying for employment in the nursing profession.
  • The man has previously surrendered his registration but went on to hold himself out as being registered as a nurse when applying for employment.
  • He provided a certificate of registration that was not genuine in support of his application for employment.
  • On 24 January 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charge laid by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has successfully prosecuted a Victorian man for holding himself out as a registered nurse in breach of section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 (National Law).

The man was previously registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a registered nurse, but he surrendered his registration in June 2021. In April 2022 he applied for employment and claimed to be a registered nurse.  He provided the prospective employer with a certificate of registration which was not genuine. 

The prospective employer sought to confirm his registration status by searching his name on the register of practitioners. His name did not appear and the employer reported the matter to Ahpra.

The matter was previously listed for sentencing on 14 April 2023 however the man failed to attend, and an arrest warrant was issued.  

Today, he attended at the Magistrates Court of Victoria at Moorabbin and pleaded guilty to one charge of holding himself out as a registered nurse. He was convicted and fined $5,000. He was also ordered to pay Ahpra’s legal costs of $21,420.56.  

Magistrate Angela Bolger noted that ‘the production of a false document was a particularly aggravating feature…. The charges before the Court are remarkably serious…. The National Scheme is designed to offer ongoing protection against those who hold themselves out as registered’. 

Acting Ahpra CEO, Kym Ayscough, spoke to the importance of the registration process in keeping the public safe.

‘Ahpra and the National Boards ensure prospective practitioners are safe and suitable to practise. This means we make sure an applicant not only has the necessary skills and qualifications, but they uphold the values of the profession and don’t put the public at risk,’ said Ms Ayscough.

‘This process should not be bypassed to get to work sooner.’

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Chair, Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM, said the outcome reinforces the importance of having safeguards in place to protect the public.

‘Trust is vital to the nursing profession and the public’s confidence in our work, which is why action must be taken when that trust is breached,’ said Professor Casey.

Anyone with concerns about whether an individual is registered can check the online Register of practitioners maintained by Ahpra or call 1300 419 495.

Contact us

  • Media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200 or media@ahpra.gov.au
  • For registration enquiries, please phone 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9125 3010 (overseas callers).
 
 
Page reviewed 30/01/2025