Advertising of regulated health services
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law s 133, 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.
National Law s 133
Ahpra and the National Boards
The National Law as the Schedule to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (Qld), Act No 45 of 2009, Queensland in-force version current as at 10 April 2026 (the host jurisdiction's text, which the other states and territories apply by their own Acts; New South Wales applies its own version with its own complaints scheme)
6 October 2026, our build record of the held copy: no later reprint listed on 30 September 2026
Anyone, registered or not, including a practice owner who is not a practitioner; for registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists and the practices that employ them.
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law on the standards library
No person (practitioner, business or anyone else) advertises a regulated health service, or a business providing one, in a way that: is false, misleading or deceptive or likely to be; offers a gift, discount or other inducement without stating its terms and conditions; uses testimonials or purported testimonials about the service or business; creates an unreasonable expectation of beneficial treatment; or directly or indirectly encourages indiscriminate or unnecessary use of regulated health services. A regulated health service is one provided, or usually provided, by a health practitioner. Publishers and printers acting for another are not liable merely for publishing. Courts may have regard to the National Boards' advertising guidelines. Maximum penalty $60,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a body corporate (raised by the 2022 amendments).
- Advertising review log checking every website page, social media post, video and paid advertisement against the five prohibitions and the Boards' advertising guidelines
- Written terms and conditions attached to every offer, discount or gift in advertising
- Procedure and record of removing or hiding patient reviews and testimonials on channels the business controls
- Evidence file supporting each therapeutic claim made in advertising
- Patient reviews about clinical care displayed or reposted on the clinic's own website or social media
- Before and after images or claims implying guaranteed results
- Discounts advertised without terms and conditions
- Influencer or affiliate content paid for by the business treated as outside its responsibility
| Ref | Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable) | Where it is kept | Owner | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s 133 |
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
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
- s 132Give the Board practice information when asked
- s 134Provide evidence of identity when the Board requires it
- ss 131A and 131BPractise and advertise only under the registered name, a notified alternative name or a business name
- s 136No directing or inciting practitioners to unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct
- s 131Notify changes of principal place of practice, address or name within 30 days
- s 141Mandatory notification by practitioners of another practitioner's notifiable conduct or a student's impairment
- s 130Tell the Board of relevant events within 7 days
- s 141ATreating practitioners notify sexual misconduct
- Every page of this instrument
The same topic in other instruments (advertising)
- Ahpra shared Code of conduct 8.5Advertising
- Psychology Board Code of conduct 8.7Advertising
- Advertising guidelines Who advertisesIdentify who controls the advertising and take responsibility for it
- Advertising guidelines ComparisonsKeep comparative claims clear, accurate and supported
See every requirement for your practiceSee the specimen practice