Anyone can make a notification (complaint) about a registered health practitioner. This is the way to raise a concern about a practitioner’s professional conduct, performance or health. More detailed information about notifications is published on the Notifications & Outcomes page. If you have concerns about the conduct, health or performance of a registered health practitioner, please contact AHPRA on 1300 419 495.

Notifications may be investigated by National Boards. A National Board may decide to take action about the notification if: 

• the practitioner has been found to have engaged in unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct
• the practitioner has been found to have engaged in unsatisfactory professional performance, or 
• the practitioner’s health is impaired and their practice may place the public at risk.

The Boards are ‘notified’ of an issue. The word ‘notification’ is deliberate and reflects that the Boards are not complaint resolution agencies. Health practitioner regulation is a protective jurisdiction. The role of the National Boards is to protect the public by dealing with practitioners who may be putting the public at risk as a result of their conduct, professional performance or health.

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

Refers to a registered nurse, enrolled nurse or nurse practitioner. The term is reserved in Australia, under law, for a person who has completed the prescribed training, demonstrates competence to practise, and is registered as a nurse under the National Law. 

The International Council of Nurses defines a nurse as follows:

A nurse is a professional who is educated in the scientific knowledge, skills and philosophy of nursing, and regulated to practice nursing based on established standards of practice and ethical codes. Nurses enhance health literacy, promote health, prevent illness, protect patient safety, alleviate suffering, facilitate recovery and adaptation, and uphold dignity throughout life and at end of life. They work autonomously and collaboratively across settings to improve health, through advocacy, evidence informed decision-making, and culturally safe, therapeutic relationships. Nurses provide people-centred, compassionate clinical and social care, manage services, enhance health systems, advance public and population health, and foster safe and sustainable environments. Nurses lead, educate, research, advocate, innovate and shape policy to improve health outcomes.

A registered nurse endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practise within their scope under the legislatively protected title ‘nurse practitioner’. The NP practises at a clinical advanced level, meets and complies with the Nurse practitioner standards for practice, is able to practice independently and has direct clinical contact. NPs practice collaboratively in multi-professional environments. The NP practices within their scope under the legislatively protected title ‘nurse practitioner’ under the National Law.

Are the expectations of the NPs practice in all contexts. They inform the education accreditation standards for NPs, the regulation of NPs and the determination of NPs capability for practice. These standards guide consumers, employers and other stakeholders on what to reasonably expect from an NP regardless of their area of practice or their years of experience.

The International Council of Nurses defines nursing as follows:

Nursing is a profession dedicated to upholding everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, through a shared commitment to providing collaborative, culturally safe, people-centred care and services. Nursing acts and advocates for people’s equitable access to health and health care, and safe, sustainable environments. The practice of nursing embodies the philosophy and values of the profession in providing professional care in the most personal health-related aspects of people’s lives. Nursing promotes health, protects safety and continuity in care, and manages and leads health care organizations and systems. Nursing’s practice is underpinned by a unique combination of science-based disciplinary knowledge, technical capability, ethical standards, and therapeutic relationships. Nursing is committed to compassion, social justice and a better future for humanity.

The national body responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Australia.