Statement of Responsibilities - President

HPCA

Policy

For health practitioners

Published on 9 Oct 2026

Overview

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).

Primary purpose of the role

The President of a Health Professional Council (Council) is responsible for leading the Council and ensuring members work 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 President is responsible for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders such as the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA), co-regulatory partners and the Ministry of Health.

Key responsibilities

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

Collaborate with the Executive Officer to deliver Council objectives and exercise regulatory functions, seeking advice and guidance as required.
Lead and provide direction to members regarding the Council's operational, strategic and regulatory focus and responsibilities. Guide the Council in its handling of complaints and monitoring of practitioners, ensuring that decisions are in line with the Council’s legislative remit, policies and procedures.
Understand and reinforce the importance of the code of conduct, privacy and confidentiality requirements and managing conflicts of interest. Address instances of non-compliance.
Foster a culturally safe and diverse environment and address behaviour that does not align with culturally safe and inclusive practice.
Share relevant information with members, the HPCA Executive and other organisations.
Lead and action key priorities of the Joint HPCA and Councils strategic plan in partnership with the Council and the HPCA.
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.
Chair and manage Council or delegated Committee meetings effectively and efficiently. Facilitate robust discussion and engage members to contribute and participate meaningfully in Council business and regulatory decision making.
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.
Support member orientation and induction and the development, maturation and succession planning of Council members. Engage members in assessing and improving the Council’s performance and address the performance of ineffective members proactively.
Represent the Council at the Presidents Forum, external meetings and stakeholder events.
Proactively develop and maintain collaborative relationships with co-regulators, National Boards and Ministry of Health. Seek opportunities to partner with other Councils, co-regulators and National Boards on shared issues and risks. Coordinate the Council’s response to consultation papers from a range of stakeholders.
Understand the Council’s financial position and discharge financial governance and reporting obligations in a timely manner.

Key relationships

Internal

Who	Why
Director HPCA	Work collaboratively to deliver on joint objectives, strategies and business plans and priorities.
Executive Officer and HPCA staff supporting the Council	Receive guidance and professional support, provide advice and exchange information.
HPCA Business Units incl. corporate governance, finance & corporate services, information technology & communications, legal, and quality & improvement	Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders across multiple business units. Work in partnership to ensure the successful delivery of contractual benefits, collaborate to ensure benefits are fully leveraged and maximised to exceed strategic outcomes.
Council members	Monitor and review performance, provide leadership and guidance, foster ongoing professional development.

External

Who	Why
Key external stakeholders including Health Care Complaints Commission, Ministry of Health, Ahpra and the National Boards, education providers, consumer groups, and registered health practitioners	Develop and maintain effective relationships and open channels of communication to ensure the effective regulation of health professionals and successful delivery of initiatives. Support the development and management of strong working relationships with relevant government departments and external stakeholders. Utilise robust processes for community engagement, public consultation, and participant involvement to encourage stakeholder understanding of National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

Who

Why

Key external stakeholders including Health Care Complaints Commission, Ministry of Health, Ahpra and the National Boards, education providers, consumer groups, and registered health practitioners

Develop and maintain effective relationships and open channels of communication to ensure the effective regulation of health professionals and successful delivery of initiatives.
Support the development and management of strong working relationships with relevant government departments and external stakeholders.
Utilise robust processes for community engagement, public consultation, and participant involvement to encourage stakeholder understanding of National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

Attributes for the role

Attribute	Behavioural Indicators
Displays integrity is ethical, committed, diligent, prepared, organised, professional, principles-based and respectful, values diversity, and shows courage and independence.	Model the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour and reinforce their use Foster a culturally safe and diverse environment, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, engage with and integrate the views of others Understand and help others to recognise their obligations to comply with legislation, policies, guidelines and codes of conduct Recognise and report misconduct and illegal and inappropriate behaviour Report and manage apparent conflicts of interest and encourage others to do so Act promptly to prevent and respond to unethical behaviour
Thinks critically and applies expertise is objective and impartial, uses logical and analytical processes, distils the core of complex issues, weighs up options and actively applies relevant knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to decision-making.	Understand the legislative functions of the Council and processes undertaken to effect Council decisions in the management of complaints Undertake objective, critical analysis to draw accurate conclusions that recognise and manage contextual issues Work through issues, weigh up alternatives and identify the most effective solutions in collaboration with others Take account of the wider business context when considering options to resolve issues
Communicates effectively is articulate, persuasive and diplomatic, is self-aware and reflects on personal impact and effectiveness, listens and responds constructively and respectfully to contributions from others.	Focus on key points and speak in plain English Clearly explain and present ideas and arguments Listen to others to gain an understanding and ask appropriate, respectful questions Promote the use of inclusive language and assist others to adjust where necessary Monitor own and others’ non-verbal cues and adapt where necessary Write and prepare material that is well structured and easy to follow Communicate routine technical information clearly Consistently use a range of strategies to remain composed and act as a stabilising influence
Works collaboratively is a team player, flexible and cooperative, creates partnerships within and between Councils, HPCA and co-regulators.	Work as a supportive and cooperative team member, sharing information and acknowledging others’ efforts Respond to others who need clarification or guidance Step in to help others when workloads are high Use appropriate approaches, including digital technologies, to share information and collaborate with others
Focuses strategically takes a broad perspective, can see the big picture, and considers long term impacts.	Engage in strategic planning that effectively uses organisational resources to achieve business goals Take account of the wider business context when considering options to resolve issues

Refences

This document should be read in conjunction with the following:

External documents available on the HPCA website

Legislation

Related resources

Statement of Responsibilities - Deputy President
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Statement of Responsibilities - Member
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