/sites/default/files/styles/featured_extra_small_high_resolution/public/2020-08/nhpopc_291_1.png?itok=BrPl1Tqn
/sites/default/files/styles/featured_extra_small_portrait_high_resolution/public/2020-08/Portrait%20about%20us.png?itok=oc-UtFwp

About us

We strive for fair and positive change in the regulation of registered health practitioners for the Australian community

How we can help

 

Our role

Our role

We champion fairness through investigating complaints, facilitating resolutions and making recommendations to improve the regulation of Australia’s registered health practitioners.

Our primary role is to provide oversight of bodies in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (National Scheme), including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), the 15 National Boards and accreditation organisations, including specialist medical colleges.

How we provide oversight

Our role is important because of the significant work Ahpra, the National Boards and accreditation organisations do to regulate the health professions in Australia. 

Diagram of the NHPO's role in the National Scheme

Our values

We are independent

We make decisions and recommendations based on evidence and without taking sides.

We are fair

We are open and follow impartial processes to make sure everyone is treated equally.

We are courageous

We do what is in the public interest even if it is challenging.

We are respectful

We listen to and seek to understand the unique perspectives of everyone we engage with.

We are collaborative

We work with others to resolve issues and identify opportunities to improve.

Read more about our values

Photo of a health practitioner with mask at work

Understanding the National Scheme

Find out more about why the National Scheme was created and the role of Ahpra, the National Boards and accreditation organisations.

Learn more about the National Scheme

Find out more about Ahpra and the National Boards

Find out more about accreditation organisations

Photo of Richelle McCausland

Meet the Ombudsman and Commissioner

Richelle McCausland is currently serving her second term as Ombudsman and Commissioner

Find out more about Richelle

A man scrolls on his tablet

Reports and Publications

We publish information about our work, and the complaints we receive, as part of our commitment to transparency and accountability. We most commonly share this information in our annual reports and monthly complaint reports.

See our reports and publications

Find out more

  • What we do

    We champion fairness in the regulation of Australia’s registered health professions through our work in three key areas.

    Read more about what we do

  • Creating systemic change

    Learn more about how we make positive change in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).

    Read more

  • Independence

    Learn more about how we provide independent and impartial oversight of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).

    Read more

  • Strategic direction

    Read more about our strategic areas of focus.

    Read more

  • Meet the Ombudsman and Commissioner

    Meet Richelle McCausland, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman and National Health Practitioner Privacy Commissioner.

    Meet Ms McCausland

  • Meet our team

    The Ombudsman and Commissioner is supported by a small team of highly skilled professionals across three units: complaints, policy and communications and business services.

    Read more

  • Policy

    Find out more about how our office operates.

    Read more

  • Work with us

    Check out opportunities to join our team.

    Read more

  • Legislation

    Learn more about the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the National Law) and other laws that govern our work.

    Learn more

  • Own motion investigations

    Find out more about how we investigate issues of interest to strive for positive change in the regulation of Australia's registered health practitioners.

    Read more

  • The National Scheme

    The National Scheme protects the public by providing a regulation framework for 16 health professions in Australia.

    Read more

  • Ahpra and the Boards

    Learn more about the important roles of Ahpra and the National Boards in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).

    Read more

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call on 1300 795 265