COVID-19 response

We are available to assist with complaints about the regulation of Australia’s registered health practitioners in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic

How we can help

We continue to assist with complaints about the regulation of Australia’s 16 registered health professions by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), the National Boards and accreditation organisations, including specialist medical colleges.

We welcome calls to our complaint line on 1300 795 265 or emails to complaints@nhpo.gov.au.

Common complaints

We have received numerous complaints about the position statements that have been issued by Ahpra, including the:

  • Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) joint position statement regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations dated 9 March 2021
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) joint position statement regarding the promotion of COVID-19 vaccinations dated 17 June 2021
  • National Boards, the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) joint statement on receiving COVID-19 vaccination advice dated 30 August 2021.

Our assessment of complaints related to these statements so far has been that these statements are consistent with the Boards’ role in determining what is expected of registered health practitioners, as set out in the relevant profession’s codes of conduct.

Our office acknowledges that the statements clearly outline that:

  • vaccination is a crucial part of the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • any promotion of anti-vaccination statements or health advice which contradicts the best available scientific evidence or seeks to actively undermine the national immunisation campaign is not supported by the Boards
  • health practitioners have a professional obligation to only share information that is evidence-based and is consistent with the best available health advice.

Concerns we cannot assist with

Our office can only assist with complaints that relate to entities that we oversee in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme). This means that we cannot assist with concerns about:

  • public health orders, including those related to the COVID-19 immunisation campaign
  • mandatory vaccinations, including mandatory vaccination requirements in the health sector
  • exemptions from COVID rules.

Information about COVID-19

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit the Department of Health’s website.

For more information about Ahpra and the Board’s response to COVID-19 visit: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/COVID-19.aspx

Support services

For more information about mental health and COVID-19 visit Head to Health.

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Call Beyond blue on 1300 22 4636

 

Finding the best organisation to address your concerns

Please feel free to contact us so that we can help assist you to find the best organisation to contact regarding your concerns.

COVID-19 vaccination roll-out

The Commonwealth, state and territory governments are responsible for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. You may wish to contact the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080, make an enquiry online or email covidvaccineenquiries@health.gov.au.

More information about the vaccination roll-out is available on the COVID-19 vaccines website. Alternatively, you may wish to contact your state or territory’s department of health for further advice.

Workplace rights and obligations

The Fair Work Ombudsman can assist with concerns and questions related to COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace. Please visit their website for further information about workplace rights and obligations and resolving workplace issues related to COVID-19 vaccinations.

Privacy rights

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner provides information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and privacy rights for employees and employers. Please visit their website for further information about privacy and COVID-19.

Photo of a mask on a laptop keyboard

Responding to COVID-19

We will share updates about our response to COVID–19 on this page as we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and community.

We would also like to acknowledge that the pandemic continues to cause significant stress for some in our community. The Department of Health’s website provides information about support that is available during this difficult time.

For more information about COVID-19, please also visit the Department of Health’s website: https://www.health.gov.au/.

Frequently asked questions

Our office has received enquiries about a broad range of issues related to COVID-19.

We are not best placed to answer questions that relate directly to health advice about COVID-19 or public health orders.

We have instead provided recommendations below for alternative organisations to contact about frequently asked questions.

Information related to health practitioner registration and accreditation

Ahpra has provided information about the FAQs it has received related to health practitioner registration during COVID-19 on its website: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/COVID-19/COVID-19-queries.aspx.

We encourage health practitioners and community members who have a query or concern to first contact Ahpra directly. Concerns can be raised with Ahpra via email at AHPRAfeedback@ahpra.gov.au or via phone on 1300 419 495.

We are here to help if there is an ongoing problem that has not been resolved, if you are not satisfied with Ahpra’s response, or do not receive a response in a reasonable time. Visit our make a complaint page or contact us page to share your queries or concerns.

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