Commissioner complaints

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

Make a complaint

Complaints to the Commissioner

Our office accepts complaints about how the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), the National Boards, accreditation authorities and specialist medical colleges, use or share personal information.

The Commissioner can decide:

  • what action should be taken to resolve a complaint
  • whether compensation should be awarded for any loss or damage suffered due to a breach of privacy
  • that the handling of personal information was reasonable and take no further action.

Make a complaint to the Commissioner

Your privacy rights

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth) promotes and protects the privacy of individuals by regulating the way personal information (information that identifies someone) is handled by agencies including Ahpra, the National Boards, accreditation authorities and specialist medical colleges.

Complaints about breaches of privacy may relate to the inappropriate sharing or use of personal information.

For example, Ahpra and the National Boards keep several files that may contain personal information, including:

  • registration files
  • notification files
  • investigation files
  • public register information, including previous registration and disciplinary information
  • legal files
  • employment files
  • general administration files and documents.

 

Make a complaint to the Ombudsman and Commissioner and find out how to lodge a complaint

Apply for review of Ahpra's FOI decision or find out more about how to make an application

 

Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme

Ahpra, the National Boards, accreditation authorities and specialist medical colleges must notify us about data breaches involving personal information that are likely to result in serious harm to a person. A data breach of this nature is called a ‘notifiable data breach’.

Find out more about Notifiable Data Breaches

Find out more

  • Make a complaint to the Commissioner

    Make a complaint to the Commissioner

    Are you ready to make a complaint about how Ahpra, a National Board, an accreditation authority or a specialist medical college used or shared personal information?

  • Use of personal information

    Use of personal information

    We strive to improve how your personal information is protected by Ahpra, the National Health Practitioner Boards, accreditation authorities and specialist medical colleges.

  • Privacy determinations

    Privacy determinations

    Access the Commissioner’s determinations on privacy complaints.

  • Ombudsman complaints

    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 accreditation authorities and specialist medical colleges.

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