Mandatory notifications
Some people have a legal obligation to act if they reasonably believe a practitioner may be putting the public at risk. They are:
- employers
- education providers
- all registered health practitioners (whether they treat the practitioner they’re concerned about or not).
It’s mandatory for these groups to notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) if they observe what’s called ‘notifiable conduct’.
Notifiable conduct includes:
- having an impairment that puts the public at risk
- practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
- significantly departing from accepted professional standards
- sexual misconduct.
Mandatory notifications are only made in specific circumstances. The thresholds are high because Ahpra encourages health practitioners and students to look after their own health and support others, without worrying it will automatically lead to a mandatory notification.
There is a difference between mandatory and voluntary notifications. Anyone can make a voluntary notification about a registered practitioner at any time.
Ahpra resources on mandatory notifications
Ahpra has a range of resources to explain what mandatory notifications are and when you need to make one. These resources give general information and examples to help you understand your responsibilities.
Employers and treating practitioners can also access Ahpra’s Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered health practitioners. These guidelines explain the detailed rules, legal requirements, and specific situations where you must make a mandatory notification.
Aphra only requires mandatory notifications about registered students when a student has an impairment that places the public at significant risk of harm. There are some exceptions, which Ahpra’s Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered students explains in more detail.
You can submit a mandatory notification on the Ahpra website.
Your responsibility to self-report
All practitioners and students have legal obligations to notify Ahpra about certain key events. Read about what you need to do to self-notify.