How to raise a concern about a health practitioner

If you have questions about your healthcare, it is ok to ask questions and seek explanations. You can do this while you are receiving care, or after you’ve stopped. Sometimes talking to the practitioner or health service to understand what happened can resolve your concerns.

A practitioner is the person who treated you such as a doctor, nurse or dentist. A health service is the hospital or clinic where you had your appointment.

If you don’t get the answers you are seeking or things go wrong then you can make a complaint directly to the practitioner or health service.

This is often the quickest and easiest way to have your concern resolved.

However, we know that there are situations when you can't talk to the practitioner or health service, or don't feel comfortable. For example, if your concern is about unprofessional behaviour (see examples below) you may wish to speak to us first. If your concern is a crime such as sexual assault, it should also be reported to the police.

Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia 

For concerns about registered practitioners or students in these states, you can report your concern to Ahpra. 

New South Wales or Queensland

There are different arrangements for students and health practitioners practising in Queensland and New South Wales. To find out more about healthcare complaints in these states, contact:

• the NSW Health Professional Councils Authority  
• the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
• Queensland’s Office of the Health Ombudsman. 

There is more than one way to raise a concern with us. Choose the way that you feel most comfortable with. If you are unsure about raising your concerns, you can contact us and ask general questions about Ahpra or the process.