The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law) came into operation in each state and territory in 2010. Before this, each state and territory individually regulated health practitioners, including managing complaints through their own statutory schemes. There were over 85 boards for health professions nationwide.

This guide has been prepared by Ahpra in consultation with the National Boards (the Boards). It is intended to provide a decision-making framework for:

• Decision-makers under the National Law;

• health practitioners subject to a regulatory process, and their legal representatives;

• notifiers and third parties that may become involved in the regulatory process (because they are a witness, or hold relevant information); and

• the general public.

This guide does not constitute a code or guideline within the meaning of section 39 of the National Law and is intended to provide general information only. It does not constitute legal advice.

Purpose and aims

The purpose of this guide is to set out how the Boards manage notifications about the health, performance and conduct of practitioners under Part 8 of the National Law. It aims to:

• clearly and transparently convey how the health, performance and conduct schemes are administered by Ahpra and the Boards; and

• provide general regulatory information to relevant tribunals and other decision-makers (such as panel members).