How we’re doing this work
We’re working to be more proactive in addressing risk in this rapidly changing environment. We’re doing this by:
- working with others in the health system to identify areas of unsafe practice that involve registered health practitioners, and
- looking at a range of sources, including information shared by other regulators, to identify areas of concern.
We want to help practitioners meet their professional obligations in new environments and continue to practise safely, professionally, ethically and in line with their Code of conduct. We also want to help the public better identify practice that may be unsafe and to know what to do and who to contact if they have a complaint about the care they’ve received. Learn more about our approach here.
Some areas we’re focusing on
Access to medicines
We’ve seen a rise in health services offering access to specific medicines such as medicinal cannabis and weight-loss medicines. A lot of these services operate virtually (either online or via telehealth). Guidance has been developed to help practitioners, patients and employers working in and accessing virtual care.
- Joint statement on professional responsibilities for prescribing and dispensing medicines
- Guidance on medicinal cannabis prescribing
- The Pharmacy Board of Australia - Medicinal cannabis supply - Meeting your professional responsibilities
- Telehealth guidance – meeting your professional obligations
- Telehealth case studies
- Medical Board of Australia's Telehealth consultations with patients guidelines
- Information for people about virtual care
- Information for practice managers and employers about virtual care
Cosmetic procedures
We’re committed to making cosmetic procedures and surgery safer. Visit the Cosmetic surgery hub for information for practitioners and tools for the public to make safer choices.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare
We support the safe use of AI in healthcare and recognise the significant potential to improve health outcomes and create a more person-centred health system.
Compassionate release of super
We’re concerned about inappropriate practices by some practitioners that seek to use a patient’s superannuation to pay for overly expensive or unnecessary treatments.
Other areas we’re monitoring – profit over patient care
We’re also keeping an eye on other areas where patients and consumers may be at higher risk of unsafe or unethical practice where practitioners may be prioritising profits over patient care. These include areas of potential overservicing, services related to government funding schemes, and medical treatments and therapies that lack sufficient evidence of efficacy and safety which are often marketed directly to consumers as well as providers who use misleading titles that imply qualifications as a registered health practitioner.
Rapid Regulatory Response Oversight Group
Ahpra created an independently chaired Rapid Regulatory Response Oversight Group to oversee this work. The group gives independent and objective review, advice and assurance, and makes sure Ahpra and National Boards are effectively and proactively identifying and responding to emerging and disruptive regulatory challenges.
Read the meeting communique
Tell us about unsafe practice
You can help us identify practitioners that might not be practising safely. If you're using a new type of health service and are not sure the care you received was safe and appropriate, contact us or submit a concern online.
Contact Ahpra Submit a concern online
Some types of healthcare complaints are handled by different organisations, for example complaints about clinics or hospitals, or fees and charges. Visit How to raise a concern about a health practitioner to find out who to raise your complaint with.