No reprisals against notifiers or people who assist the regulator
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law s 237A, 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 237A
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 uses threats or intimidation to dissuade someone from making a good-faith notification or giving information, documents or assistance under the Law, or dismisses, refuses to employ, or subjects someone to any other detriment or reprisal because they did or intend to do so. Maximum penalty $60,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a body corporate. In force from 10 April 2026 (2025 amendments).
- Policy prohibiting reprisal against staff who notify Ahpra, the Health Ombudsman or a health complaints entity, or who assist an investigation
- Manager training record on the reprisal offence
- Review record for any adverse employment action taken against a known notifier, showing the independent reason
- Rostering, promotion or contract renewal decisions affecting a known notifier made without independent review
- Informal pressure on staff to route concerns internally instead of notifying the regulator
| Ref | Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable) | Where it is kept | Owner | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s 237A |
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 196AComply with tribunal prohibition orders and disclose them before providing services
- s 237BNon-disclosure agreements must preserve the right to notify and assist the regulator
- s 159OComply with interim prohibition orders and disclose them before providing services
- s 149A and Schedule 5Co-operate with Board information requirements and investigators
- s 142Employers notify notifiable conduct of registered practitioners they engage
- s 141BTreating practitioners notify substantial risk of harm to the public
- s 141ATreating practitioners notify sexual misconduct
- s 141Mandatory notification by practitioners of another practitioner's notifiable conduct or a student's impairment
- Every page of this instrument
The same topic in other instruments (abuse and safeguarding)
- NDIS Practice Standards Core 7.1, Core 7.2, Core 7.3Core module: Freedom from abuse
- Provider Registration Rules ss 73ZBA and 73ZCProtect disclosers: keep identity confidential and prohibit victimisation
- NDIS Code of Conduct s 6(1)(f)Prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse
- NDIS Code of Conduct s 6(1)(g)Prevent and respond to sexual misconduct
See every requirement for your practiceSee the specimen practice