Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill

Overview

This bill reforms how health practitioners can regain their registration after being struck off, increases transparency about practitioners found guilty of sexual misconduct, and strengthens protections for people who report concerns about health practitioners. It amends the national health practitioner law that applies across all Australian states and territories, with Queensland-specific modifications for the co-regulatory role of the Health Ombudsman.

Who it affects

Patients gain better access to information about practitioners with sexual misconduct findings and stronger protections when reporting concerns. Health practitioners who have been struck off face a tougher pathway back to practice, now requiring a tribunal order before they can even apply for re-registration.

Key changes

• Practitioners whose registration has been cancelled or who have been disqualified must now obtain a reinstatement order from a tribunal before they can apply to be re-registered — they can no longer go straight to a National Board
• When a tribunal finds a practitioner engaged in professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct, this information must be permanently recorded on the public register, including a link to the tribunal decision
• It is now an offence to threaten, intimidate, dismiss, or take reprisals against someone who reports a health practitioner or assists an investigation, with penalties up to $60,000 for individuals and $120,000 for corporations
• Non-disclosure agreements cannot prevent anyone from reporting concerns about a health practitioner to regulators — any such clauses are void, including in agreements signed before this law commenced
• Employers and health service providers must ensure NDAs clearly state the person's right to report, or face penalties of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations