Who is a health service provider? This includes doctors, dentists,
specialists, hospitals (public and private), physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, social workers in a health setting, nursing homes, hostels,
supported residential services, nurses, acupuncturists, ambulance
services, community health centres, occupational therapists,
optometrists, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatric
services, speech therapists.
Why might you complain?
If the health service provider has -
- failed to provide a service or provided a service that was unnecessary
- denied you dignity or privacy
- failed to give you adequate information
- denied you access to information about your health care
- failed to exercise due skill
- failed to treat you in a professional manner
Who can complain?
- the user of a health service
- a person appointed by the user, acting as power of attorney or authorised by law
- a parent or guardian of a child under 14
- another health service provider
- approved/prescribed persons
It supports 10 National Boards that are responsible for regulating the 10 health professions. The primary role of the Boards is to protect the public and they set standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet.
AHPRA works with the Health Complaints Commissions in each State and Territory to make sure the appropriate organisation investigates community concerns about individual, registered health practitioners
Members of the public may make a notification to AHPRA about the conduct, health or performance of a practitioner.
AHPRA Website
3. You may also be able to complain to your state/territory branch
of the health practitioner's professional association, e.g. about a breach of professional ethics .
Note that these associations take complaints about their members only.
Australian Medical Association
Contacts for all states and territories
Australian Dental Association
National office
Chiropractors' Association of Australia
Contacts for all states
