Statement of Responsibilities - Member

The Health Professional Councils are statutory bodies established to protect the public under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW).

The primary responsibility of the Councils is to protect the public by managing complaints about the health, performance and conduct of registered health professionals and students (if applicable) in NSW. Councils also monitor compliance with conditions or other orders imposed on a practitioner’s or student’s registration. Complaints are managed through co-regulatory arrangements with the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

Council members of a Health Professional Council (council) are responsible for actively engaging in council activities and working together as a cohesive team to deliver strategic goals and manage complaints about the health, performance, and conduct of registered practitioners and students in NSW.

The following sets out the key responsibilities of members but is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities. Please refer to the documents in the resources section at the end for further information.

• Support the President, Deputy President and Executive Officer to deliver Council objectives and exercise regulatory functions.
• Understand the Council’s operational, strategic and regulatory focus and responsibilities. When requested, provide meaningful contributions to discussions regarding policy matters and the Council’s strategic direction, and contribute to the progression of key priorities of the Joint HPCA and Councils strategic plan.
• Attend meetings, regulatory interviews and hearings as far as possible. Adequately prepare by reading and understanding the papers provided and seeking advice or guidance prior to the meeting as required.
• Actively participate in regulatory decision making regarding complaints and monitoring of practitioners by expressing independent views, considering the views of others and ensuring decisions are in line with the Council’s legislative remit, policies and procedures.
• Participate in regulatory interviews and hearings where required, be prepared to take a lead role as required, and lead or contribute to writing reasons for decisions.
• Respond to out of session correspondence, surveys and requests for feedback promptly.
• Use the approved NSW Health email address for all email correspondence.
• Demonstrate behaviours that are in line with the code of conduct, abide by privacy and confidentiality requirements, and declare and manage conflicts of interest appropriately.
• Foster a culturally safe and diverse environment and address behaviour that does not align with culturally safe and inclusive practice.
• Participate in member orientation, induction and professional development opportunities as they arise.
• Participate in activities to assess and improve the Council’s performance.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with co-regulators, National Boards and Ministry of Health. Participate in working groups or committees with other Councils, co-regulators and National Boards on shared issues and risks, as opportunities arise.
• Understand the Council’s financial position and discharge financial governance and reporting obligations in a timely manner.

Internal

This document should be read in conjunction with the following:

External documents available on the HPCA website

• NSW Health Professional Councils and HPCA Joint Strategydownload
• Code of Conduct for members

Legislation

• The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW)open_in_new
• Health Practitioner Regulation (New South Wales) Regulation 2025open_in_new