AHPRA will assess all notifications/complaints to determine whether a Board must consider taking immediate action to protect public health or safety.
This may result in changing the registration status of a student or practitioner. If immediate action is not required, AHPRA will asses the notification thoroughly to enable the relevant Board to make an informed decision about it. Each investigation is tailored to the complaint received, and complex matters take more time. AHPRA aims to complete most investigations within six months.
Stages of the Notification/Complaint Process
All notifications/complaints pass through stages 1-2, and depending on the outcome of the preliminary assessment may pass through any of the following stages, 3-5.
Stage 1: Receipt of Notification/Complaint
AHPRA receives notification/complaint either by online form, hardcopy form (available to download on the AHPRA website) letter or telephone.
Stage 2: Preliminary Assessment
A preliminary assessment determines if the matter will be handled by AHPRA or referred to another health complaints entity.
Preliminary Assessment Outcome
The outcome of the preliminary assessment may be for the Board to:
Stage 3: Investigation
An investigation may need to be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action, which may be to:
A decision may be made to:
Where an undertaking or condition applies, the registrant will be subject to monitoring to ensure compliance.
Stage 4: Panel Hearing
A panel hearing will be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action, which may be to:
A decision may be made to:
Where an undertaking or condition applies, the registrant will be subject to monitoring to ensure compliance.
Panel hearing outcomes are published.
Stage 5: Tribunal Hearing
A tribunal hearing will be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action, which may be to:
Where an undertaking or condition applies, the registrant will be subject to monitoring to ensure compliance.
Tribunal hearing outcomes are made available to the public.
Telephone 1300 419 495 8am to 6pm (EST), Monday to Friday