How we interact with Ahpra

The relationship between the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) and the National Boards (and consequently between the HCC and AHPRA) is governed both by the National Law (external link) and by the Health Complaints Act 1995 (external link).  

If the complaint relates to a registered practitioner’s conduct, performance or health, we must notify the National Board of this (through Ahpra) as soon as practicable, and must give the Board a copy of the complaint, and other information.

Consultation then takes place between the National Board/Ahpra and the HCC to see if agreement can be reached as to whether the notification or complaint should be dealt with by the Board or by the HCC.

What is Ahpra?

Ahpra is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (external link).

You can complain to either Ahpra or the Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner about a registered practitioner.

When we receive a complaint about a registered health practitioner we are required to notify Ahpra of the complaint.

Registered practitioners are those practitioners who are registered by a relevant Board so they can practise their profession in Australia.

There are currently 15 National Boards (external link)

The primary role of the relevant Board is to protect the public. The Boards are also responsible for registering practitioners and students, as well as other functions, for their professions.

Sometimes when we notify Ahpra of the complaint, it may decide to manage part of the complaint or all of the complaint.

The Board will act to protect the public if:

• a practitioner’s behaviour is placing the public at risk
• a practitioner is practising their profession in an unsafe way
• a practitioner’s ability to make safe judgments about their patients might be impaired because of their health

We will keep you advised of the notification to Ahpra and what decision has been made.