Terms of Reference

The administration of registration and notifications by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and related entities under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, with particularly reference to:

(a) the current standards for registration of health practitioners by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Boards under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law);

(b) the role of AHPRA, the National Boards, and other relevant organisations, in addressing concerns about the practice and conduct of registered health practitioners;

(c) the adequacy and suitability of arrangements for health practitioners subject to supervised practice as part of the registration process or due to a notification;

(d) the application of additional requirements for overseas-qualified health practitioners seeking to become registered in their profession in Australia;

(e) the role of universities and other education providers in the registration of students undertaking an approved program of study or clinical training in a health profession;

(f) access, availability and adequacy of supports available to health practitioners subject to AHPRA notifications or other related professional investigations;

(g) the timeliness of AHPRA’s investigation of notifications, including any delays in handling, assessment and decision-making, and responsiveness to notifiers;

(h) management of conflict of interest and professional differences between AHPRA, National Boards and health practitioners in the investigation and outcomes of notifications;

(i) the role of independent decision-makers, including state and territory tribunals and courts, in determining the outcomes of certain notifications under the National Law;

(j) mechanisms of appeal available to health practitioners where regulatory decisions are made about their practice as a result of a notification;

(k) how the recommendations of previous Senate inquiries into the administration of notifications under the National Law have been addressed by the relevant parties; and

(l) any other related matters.

 


Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3515
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

Past Public Hearings

22 Sep 2021: Canberra
09 Jul 2021: Canberra
08 Jul 2021: Canberra

more...

Inquiry Status

Submissions closed

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to can participate in the Committee’s inquiry. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact the Committee Secretariat.

Further information regarding accessibility can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Help/Accessibility