Jess JohnsonAustralia's health practitioner public register changed permanently on 10 April 2026, when the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) began publishing proven findings of sexual misconduct directly against practitioners' names — a reform that gives every patient new power before they book an appointment.
The change, part of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, means that from this week, Australians can search AHPRA's register and see, for the first time, whether a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or other registered health professional has had a tribunal finding of sexual misconduct upheld against them. More than 107 practitioners had information added to the public registers in the first week of the reform, with 86 appearing on the cancelled practitioners register.
What Has Changed on the AHPRA Register
Previously, disciplinary findings could be removed from the public record once sanctions expired — meaning a practitioner who completed a suspension could effectively have their misconduct history wiped clean. Under the new rules, sexual misconduct findings remain permanently visible, including retrospectively for all tribunal decisions made since 1 July 2010.
According to AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner, "Publishing sexual misconduct findings on the public register empowers patients to make informed choices about their care and reinforces that breaches of trust will not be hidden."
The reform covers a broad definition of sexual misconduct: professional boundary violations, sexual harassment, and criminal offences occurring both inside and outside the practice setting.
A separate protection that came into force in December 2025 made it a criminal offence for practitioners to enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with patients that prevent those patients from making a formal complaint to AHPRA. NDAs may still be used for other purposes, but must clearly state in writing that they do not prevent a notification to AHPRA from being made.
Why This Matters for Patients
For the roughly 800,000 Australians who interact with a registered health practitioner every week, this reform introduces a meaningful new layer of informed consent. Before scheduling a procedure or ongoing treatment, patients can now conduct a two-minute search on AHPRA's website and check their practitioner's registration status, any current conditions on their practice, and — from 10 April 2026 — any published findings of sexual misconduct.
Health advocacy groups have described the reform as long overdue. Survivors of practitioner misconduct had campaigned for years for permanent public disclosure, arguing that the previous system allowed a pattern of behaviour to continue largely undetected by new patients.
The retrospective reach of the reform is particularly significant. Findings dating back to 1 July 2010 are being reviewed across the estimated 5,000 professional misconduct cases in AHPRA's archives. This means a practitioner who was sanctioned in 2012, completed their sanction, and resumed practice has their misconduct history visible on the public register today, even if they are no longer registered.
How to Check a Practitioner on the Register
Checking is straightforward: visit the AHPRA national register website, search by name, and look for any notations. If a sexual misconduct finding exists, the entry will state clearly that a tribunal decision involved sexual misconduct. The register also shows current registration status, any conditions or undertakings on practice, and any reprimands or cautions.
If you are unsure how to interpret what you find on the register — for instance, whether a condition listed on a practitioner's registration is relevant to your situation, or whether a past finding affects the treatment you are seeking — a legal expert can help you understand your rights as a patient.
There is no obligation to see a practitioner you feel uncomfortable about. Under Australian law, patients retain the right to seek a second opinion, switch providers, and in relevant circumstances, make a formal complaint to AHPRA at any time.
What Practitioners and Employers Should Know
The reforms also affect health organisations and employers. Practitioners with historic misconduct findings now have that information visible to potential employers who check the register. For health services conducting due diligence before hiring, the register has become a more complete compliance tool.
Practitioners seeking re-registration after a cancellation face new requirements under the reforms, with National Boards now required to consider the nature and severity of past misconduct findings before reinstating registration.
For practitioners who believe information has been incorrectly added to their register entry, AHPRA has established a review process. Legal advice specific to registration law is strongly recommended for any practitioner navigating a contested entry — the process involves tribunal records, statutory interpretation, and tight timeframes for response.
When to Seek Legal or Professional Advice
The new register is a public tool, but understanding its implications fully — whether you are a patient, a practitioner, or a health employer — often requires professional guidance.
As a patient: If you have experienced misconduct by a health practitioner and are considering making a notification to AHPRA, or if you have previously signed an NDA with a practitioner or health service, a legal expert can advise on whether that NDA is now void under the December 2025 reforms and what options you have.
As a practitioner: If a finding has been added to your register entry — including historic entries you believed were resolved — seeking timely legal advice is essential. Practitioners have limited windows to raise objections through the tribunal review process.
As a health employer: If a staff member's register entry now carries a visible misconduct notation, your organisation's legal and HR obligations may have changed. Expert legal advice can help you navigate safe workplace obligations alongside your duty-of-care responsibilities to patients.
According to data from the AHPRA annual report, AHPRA receives more than 9,000 notifications about health practitioners every year. With permanent misconduct recording now in place, the register is expected to become a more commonly used tool in both patient decision-making and employment screening across Australia's healthcare sector.
Disclaimer: This article contains general information about AHPRA reforms and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified legal practitioner registered in your state or territory.
If you want to understand your rights as a patient, verify a practitioner's history, or navigate an AHPRA notification, ExpertZoom connects you with qualified Australian legal experts who specialise in health regulation and patient rights.
