Ahpra: Review recommendations "in lock step" with reform agenda

Consultation Paper 2: Consultation Outcomes and Reform Directions in the Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (also known as the Dawson Review) was released on 12 May. In response, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) said it supports, in principle, the recommendations — describing many of them as “in lock step with Ahpra’s current reform agenda”. In a statement, Ahpra said the reforms centre around an evolution of national health regulation — including a national framework that ensures a risk-based approach is taken and that health professionals are regulated according to public safety needs; regulatory action and leadership — to minimise and prevent harm to the public, in response to emerging healthcare challenges especially; and strengthening notification processes and investment — to support better procedural fairness, timeliness and transparency.

“The National Scheme is facing challenges it has not previously encountered,” Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said. “The time is right to take the National Scheme forward to meet the evolving needs of contemporary regulation. I look forward to working with stakeholders to bring the recommendations of the review to life.” Ahpra said the heath system is rapidly changing, citing AI, direct-to-consumer healthcare and telehealth as evolving challenges that are significantly reshaping how the National Scheme works. Aphra said the establishment of foundational regulatory insights capability and the Rapid Regulatory Response Unit have been part of its response to the changing environment — to be more proactive in identifying and addressing risk and preventing harm. The next step, Aphra said, is to embed that approach throughout the entire organisation.

Among the recommendations of the review are improvements to Ahpra’s complaints handling process. “I understand how distressing it can be for practitioners to be subject to a regulatory process and acknowledge that sometimes these matters can take too long to resolve,” Untersteiner said on the subject. “Reforming our complaints handling process is a priority.” Ahpra said it has invested in initiatives to support improvements and is reviewing all notifications that are older than 12 months — ensuring there are clear completion strategies for each case. Investment has also been made in establishing a health complaints navigator service, Ahpra said — with the aim of engaging directly with people making complaints, to ensure their concerns are directed to the right agency.

“I want Ahpra to be a listening, learning and responsive regulator,” Untersteiner said. “I look forward to the independent reviewer finalising her recommendations to health ministers and their decision on priorities for implementation.” Untersteiner added: “Public safety will always be our number one priority, but we are making changes that will improve the experience of regulation for practitioners, consumers and all stakeholders.” Consultation Paper 2: Consultation Outcomes and Reform Directions is available to read at www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/consultation-paper-2-consultation-outcomes-and-reform-directions. The final Review report, from independent reviewer Sue Dawson, is due in July 2025.

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