Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria

Received a complaint or a notification?

Most health practitioners are distressed when a complaint or a notification is made about them. Find out how you can care for yourself during the process.

Are you worried about a complaint made against you or received a notification about you to the regulator?

The differences between a complaint or notification 

A complaint about your performance, health or conduct is generally managed by your employer. If a concern is raised about you with the regulator - AHPRA - it is called a notification. This is usually occurs when there is a concern that you may be putting yourself and/or public safety at risk. If a complaint has been made about you, this does not mean that you will automatically receive a notification, but sometimes your employer will make a notification to AHPRA relating to a complaint.

If AHPRA receives a notification about you, they are required to follow it up. It is important that you know that most notifications (87%) do not lead to any action against the practitioner concerned. In fact the probability of you receiving a notification is extremely small. 

In 2023 to 2024, AHPRA received a total of:

  • 3,243 notifications regarding registered nurses (0.5% of nurses registered in Australia)
  • 238 notifications about registered midwives (0.6% of midwives).

A notification to the regulator is one of the most stressful events for any nurse, midwife or student. You may be suspended from work while the process plays out. This can be distressing and disruptive, particularly if you are the only income earner in your household. It may lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, distress, anxiety and fear. Many fear that a notification will impact their professional reputation, personal life, and the lives of their family members. 

You can minimise the impacts of a notification and come through the process with less stress if you understand your professional responsibilities. We can help - call us on (03) 9415 7551.

Stay registered

You need to be registered to practice as a nurse or midwife in Australia...but do you know how to meet the requirements of registration? 

Registration is linked to our professional codes of conduct. The codes spell out the legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for all nurses and midwives, in all settings in Australia. They help to keep everyone safe, and ensure that we work to specific standards in our practice. 

Stay healthy

Our codes of conduct require that we stay well so that we perform safely and effectively at work. Staying healthy is a requirement of maintaining your registration. 

Declare any health conditions to the regulator

Make sure you declare any health condition to AHPRA that may affect your ability to practice safe care when you re-register each year. 

A ‘concern or condition’ includes any physical or mental impairment, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence) that could have a detrimental effect on your capacity to practice the profession. AHPRA will want to know how you are managing that condition so it can decide if it is safe for you to continue practicing.

If you don’t declare a health concern and someone makes a notification because they believe it is impacting on your ability to provide safe clinical care, AHPRA will review the information to decide if the concern relates to your health, performance, or conduct. They may ask you for more details or request reports from treating practitioner(s).

If you are not sure if you have a notifiable health concern, contact the regulator. Call AHPRA on 1300 419 495 Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm (AEDT). Or you can discuss your obligations with us – call  (03) 9415 7551.

Ask for help during the notification process

Being notified to the regulator is very stressful. The process can be confusing and lengthy, and impact your health.

A notification about your health usually indicates there are concerns about your ability to practice and suggests that your health will need to be managed adequately. 

Stay in touch

Help yourself during the notification process – stay in touch with your personal (your family and friends) and professional (your work colleagues) networks. They can make you feel safe and understood and help you to manage your distress. 

Get advice

Talk to your union, insurer or legal advisor when you become aware of the notification. Make contact with the person who is handling your complaint at AHPRA to find out more about the details of the notification and anything you need to do to respond to it. Talk to the union for advice.

We’re here to support you

You are not alone—we’re here with you every step of the way. We offer a safe, confidential space where you can talk through what you’re feeling with someone who understands. If you’d like support, and to speak with an experienced nurse or midwife.

References

  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2025). Annual report 2023/24. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2018, March). Code of conduct for midwives. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2018, March). Code of conduct for nurses. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2016, January). Enrolled nurse standards for practice. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2016, June). Registered nurse standards for practice. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2018, October). Midwife standards for practice. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2021, March). Nurse practitioner standards for practice. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.