Management of professional misconduct
7 February 2024
Consultation - Management of professional misconduct and protections for notifiers
In February 2023, health ministers agreed to take actions to address concerns that the management of professional misconduct by registered health practitioners relating to sexual misconduct and sexual boundary violations needs to better meet community expectations.
Health ministers are also proposing to introduce nationally consistent requirements for practitioners who seek re-registration following cancellation or disqualification, and stronger protections for people who make complaints to regulators, in good faith, about a health practitioner.
On 22 February 2024, consultation opened on three proposed reforms to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, including:
- Expanding the information available on the national public register where health practitioners have engaged in sexual misconduct, sexual boundary violations and/or criminal sexual offences
- Establishing nationally consistent requirements for practitioners to obtain reinstatement orders prior to applying for re-registration, following cancellation or disqualification
- Strengthening protections for notifiers and prospective notifiers who make complaints about health practitioners, in good faith, from detriment and reprisal.
Stakeholders across Australia can access the public consultation via Engage Victoria (external site).
Consultation on the proposed reforms will close at 11:59 pm on 19 February 2024.