Describe qualifications, experience and memberships accurately
Ahpra advertising guidelines Qualifications, stated plainly and cited to the edition held, with the evidence an auditor or the regulator asks for, the common gaps, and a free worksheet to fill in.
Advertising guidelines Qualifications
Ahpra and the National Boards
Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service, December 2020 edition, effective 14 December 2020
6 October 2026, Ahpra advertising guidelines page read 6 October 2026: still the current edition
Anyone advertising a regulated health service, including a practice owner who is not registered, for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology services.
The printed edition predates the higher penalties for advertising offences: up to 60,000 dollars for an individual and 120,000 dollars for a body corporate, in every jurisdiction from 1 July 2024. The guidelines will be updated when next reviewed.
Further or postgraduate qualifications, specific experience and completed courses may be advertised if stated accurately and factually, and the issuing body may be named. Where a Board acknowledges further education from a professional college, the advertising names the specific educational award, and post-nominals or memberships must not suggest more qualifications, skill or experience than the practitioner has.
- Verified copies of each qualification and membership certificate claimed in advertising
- Approved wording for post-nominals and college awards
- Membership of a body shown as though it were a qualification
- Award shown without its name or the college that issued it
| Ref | Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable) | Where it is kept | Owner | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications |
Completing this worksheet records what your practice holds and where. It does not make a practice compliant or ready for audit, and it is not legal advice.
Related requirements
Ahpra advertising guidelines
- Position titlesUse employment position titles only within their employment context
- Checking advertisingCheck all advertising regularly and read it for overall impression
- MisleadingDo not publish false, misleading or deceptive advertising
- Review functionsControl review functions you run and know where responsibility sits
- Gifts and discountsState the terms and conditions of any gift, discount or inducement
- Specialist titlesUse specialist and endorsement titles only when held
- ImagesUse images and before-and-after photographs that are genuine and comparable
- Specialist wordingAvoid 'specialist' wording without specialist registration and do not overstate a specialty
- Every page of this instrument
The same topic in other instruments (advertising)
- National Law s 113Protected titles only for persons registered in the profession
- National Law s 115Specialist titles only for specialist registrants
- National Law s 116No claims to be a registered health practitioner by unregistered persons
- National Law s 117No claims of registration in a profession or division not held
- Ahpra shared Code of conduct 8.5Advertising
- Psychology Board Code of conduct 8.7Advertising
See every requirement for your practiceSee the specimen practice