AHPRA Reports Health Practitioner Trends for 2025-26

Australia records a 12-year high in misconduct referrals despite a drop in total notifications.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of medical scales, evoking the regulatory balance of health practitioner oversight in Australia. — AHPRA reports a 12-year high in misconduct referrals for 2025-26, despite a 4.7% overall decline in total health practitioner notifications. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In the 2025-26 reporting period, AHPRA received 12,698 notifications regarding health practitioners, representing a 4.7% decrease from the previous year. Despite this decline in total volume, professional misconduct referrals rose to 295, marking a 12-year peak.

Why it matters

The regulator is working to maintain a trusted National Scheme, though concerns persist regarding the retention of medical trainees as one in ten considers leaving the field. Clinical care issues continue to drive a significant portion of the notifications raised by the public.

AHPRA processed 13,171 notifications during 2025-26, with 64% closed within six months and only 1.2% resulting in a loss of registration. Total registered practitioners in Australia grew by 4.1% to reach 999,105.

The players

AHPRA

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is the primary organisation responsible for regulating health practitioners across the nation.

The details

Clinical care issues accounted for 36.3% of all concerns raised, while 71.7% of reports originated directly from patients, families, or the public. Regulators utilised an early determination process for 46% of these cases to improve efficiency.

2013-14 marked the previous peak year for professional misconduct referrals.
2025-26 served as the primary reporting period for AHPRA annual data.

Market Landscape

The data reflects a complex shift within the National Scheme as the volume of practitioners grows alongside a 12-year high in severe misconduct referrals. This trend positions the regulator between the need for faster case resolution and the rising demand for public accountability in clinical care.

Patients and families can expect a more streamlined regulatory process as 64% of cases are now closed within six months. While total notifications decreased, the increase in tribunal referrals indicates a more rigorous focus on addressing serious professional misconduct.

The takeaway

Patients who experience clinical care issues should remain informed about their right to lodge formal notifications with the regulator. Professionals within the healthcare sector may find the 12-year high in misconduct referrals a sign of increasingly strict disciplinary oversight.