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How we can help

Our office has three main roles. We accept:

  • complaints to the Ombudsman

  • complaints to the Commissioner

  • applications for FOI review

Make a complaint

Ombudsman complaints

In general, the Ombudsman accepts and (where appropriate) investigates complaints about how the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the National Boards handled a notification or registration matter. Complainants commonly raise concerns about Ahpra’s communication, delay and what information was considered by a National Board when it made a decision.

The Ombudsman can also assist with complaints about how an accreditation organisation (including a specialist medical college) has handled a matter. This may be about, for example, the assessment of overseas qualified practitioners or the accreditation of an education provider, program of study or training site.

The Ombudsman can consider complaints about how a matter was handled, not whether Ahpra, a National Board or an accreditation organisation’s decision about a matter was right or wrong.

Commissioner complaints

The Commissioner accepts and (where appropriate) investigates complaints about how Ahpra, a National Board or an accreditation organisation has used personal information, including alleged breaches of privacy.

The Commissioner can decide what should be done, and if compensation should be awarded, if a breach of privacy by Ahpra, a National Board or an accreditation organisation is found to have occurred.

Freedom of Information (FOI) review services

The Commissioner also receives applications for a review of a decision made by Ahpra under federal FOI legislation.

The Commissioner can decide whether Ahpra’s decision should be:

  • affirmed
  • varied, or
  • set aside and a fresh decision made.
Make a complaint

Make a complaint to the Ombudsman and Commissioner or learn more about how to lodge a complaint.

Apply for FOI review

Find out more about how to apply for review of Ahpra's FOI decision.

  • Ombudsman complaints

    Our office provides a free and independent complaint handling service for the public and health practitioners.

  • Commissioner complaints

    Our office provides a free and independent complaint handling service for the public and health practitioners.

  • FOI review

    Find out more about our FOI review powers.

We strive for fair and positive change in the regulation of registered health practitioners for the Australian community
Learn more about us
Our complaint handling work in 2022–23
1,884
approaches received
633
complaints received
1,183
enquiries received
9
privacy complaints received

Find out more

  • Ombudsman complaints

    The Ombudsman can assist with complaints about how Ahpra and the National Boards have handled notification or registration matters, personal information and FOI requests. We also can also assist with concerns about how accreditation organisations (such as specialist medical colleges) have handled some matters, including the accreditation of an education provider, program of study or training site or the assessment of overseas qualified practitioners.

    Read more

  • Commissioner complaints

    The Commissioner can assist with complaints about how Ahpra, the National Boards or accreditation organisations, including specialist medical colleges, have collected, used or disclosed personal information.

    Read more

  • FOI review

    We can conduct a review of a 'Freedom Of Information' decision made by Ahpra.

    Read 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

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