$10K fine for former nurse who forged registration certificates

Following an investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), a former nurse who forged two registration certificates to conceal that she was unregistered while continuing to work at a Bundaberg medical centre has been fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $1750 in legal costs.

The Queensland woman had previously been registered as a nurse, but her registration lapsed in September 2022. Despite receiving a reminder from Ahpra to renew her registration, and contacting Ahpra about re-applying for registration, instead of renewing her registration, she took steps to hide her registration status, Ahpra said.

The woman applied for a registered nurse position at a Bundaberg medical centre in November 2022, was hired and provided two fake registration certificates in the 18 months she worked at the centre. The woman was charged with one count of holding herself out as a registered health practitioner and, on 24 March 2026, pleaded guilty in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court. She remains unregistered.

“Working while unregistered is not only unacceptable, it’s illegal,” Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said. “This case demonstrates the serious penalties that can apply to anyone who seeks to circumvent the law and mislead the public.”

In sentencing, Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said the woman’s offending struck at the public’s confidence in those providing healthcare services, noting that the woman resigned once her “ruse was busted”.

“Registration isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It’s an important annual check that a practitioner is safe to practise and has completed all the necessary training and education,” Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM said.

“With the renewal period opening next month, I remind all Australia’s nurses and midwives that you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board and meet our registration standards to practice in Australia.”

The registration status of a practitioner can be checked using the online Register of practitioners. The register also shows any conditions that may be current on a practitioners’ registration, or other restrictions such as undertakings or suspensions. Anyone with concerns over the registration status of a practitioner should contact Ahpra.

For nurses and midwives, registration renewal opens in early April and ends on 31 May. Nurses and midwives will receive a message from Ahpra when renewals open.

Image credit: iStock.com/Wavebreakmedia