Health Regulator Closes Record Number of Complaints as Misconduct Referrals Hit 12-Year High

Published 2026-10-29

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) closed more notifications than ever before in the 2025–26 financial year, according to a report published by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The agency handles complaints and concerns about doctors, nurses, and other health professionals across Australia. This year, almost two-thirds of these matters were resolved within six months.

At the same time, the number of referrals about possible professional misconduct has risen to its highest level in 12 years. A notification is a formal report made to AHPRA about a health practitioner's conduct, performance, or health. Not every notification leads to disciplinary action. Many are assessed and closed after an initial review, while others are investigated more closely. The increase in serious misconduct referrals means that the agency is dealing with more cases that require detailed examination.

The report also focuses on general practitioners, who are often the first point of contact for patients in the health system. GPs make up a large share of the practitioners who receive notifications each year. The figures suggest that the regulator is working to resolve complaints more quickly, while also responding to a growing number of serious concerns. Patients and health workers who want to make a notification can do so through the AHPRA website.

The findings show that the health regulator is processing a higher volume of cases than in previous years. Although the number of complaints being closed has reached a record level, the rise in misconduct referrals shows that more serious matters are being brought to the agency's attention. Further updates on the regulator's work are expected in future reports.

Sources: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

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