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Free introduction

Ahpra Notifications in 15 Minutes

What a Notification Is, What Happens Next and Your First Steps

  • 15 minutesEstimated learning time
  • 5-question assessmentPass mark 80%
  • Online, self-pacedStart any time
  • CertificateFor your CPD records

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About this course

An email from Ahpra about a concern can make any practitioner's heart sink. In those first hours it is easy to assume the worst, to fire off a defensive reply, to call the patient, or to start rewriting notes. Each of those reactions is understandable, and each can turn a manageable concern into a serious one.

This free mini course gives you an accurate picture in about 15 minutes. It explains what a notification is and where notifications come from, who manages and decides them (including the different systems in New South Wales and Queensland), what usually happens and how long it takes, and what Ahpra's own information says about outcomes: most notifications do not lead to regulatory action. It finishes with a clear list of first steps to take and mistakes to avoid, and where to find support.

It is an introduction, ideal for any registered practitioner who wants to be prepared, and a calm starting point if a concern has just been raised about you. It does not replace advice from your indemnity provider, medical defence organisation or lawyer.

Who this course is for

  • Any registered health practitioner in Australia who wants to understand notifications
  • Practitioners who have just received a notification and need a calm overview
  • Early-career practitioners, interns and graduates new to registration
  • Practice managers and team leaders who support staff through concerns
  • Supervisors and educators who want a quick teaching resource
  • Overseas-qualified practitioners new to the Australian system

What you’ll learn

  • Understand the system

    Know what a notification is, who can make one and who decides it in each state and territory.

  • Keep it in perspective

    Use Ahpra's published figures on timeframes and outcomes to replace fear with facts.

  • Act well from day one

    Follow a short list of first steps, and avoid the reactions that make matters worse.

Learning objectives

  • Explain what a notification is and who can make one.
  • Identify who manages and decides notifications, including in NSW and Queensland.
  • Describe the usual stages, timeframes and outcomes of a notification.
  • Take the right first steps and avoid actions that make matters worse.
  • Use support services and respond in a factual, reflective way.
  • Prepare in advance so that a future notification is easier to manage.

Scenarios covered

Practice situations you reason through, step by step, in the course.

  • The unexpected email

    A physiotherapist receives an email about a complaint that she was dismissive. You will see what happens next and how her response shaped the outcome.

  • "I have reported you"

    A relative tells a nurse she has gone to Ahpra. You will learn what that really means and why it is not a finding.

  • The urge to call the patient

    A GP wants to phone the patient to sort it out. You will learn why contact about the notification should go through the proper process.

  • The thin record

    A pharmacist realises his note is brief. You will learn why records must stay exactly as they are.

  • Different states, different bodies

    A dentist in Brisbane and a doctor in Sydney both receive complaints. You will learn which body manages each.

Course contents

3 sections, 6 lessons, then the final assessment.

  1. Section 1: What a Notification Is2 lessons
    • 1.1 Notifications in Plain Terms
    • 1.2 Who Decides
  2. Section 2: What Happens Next2 lessons
    • 2.1 The Usual Stages
    • 2.2 Outcomes in Perspective
  3. Section 3: Your First Steps2 lessons
    • 3.1 The First 48 Hours
    • 3.2 Responding Well and Looking After Yourself
  4. Final assessment5 questions

Assessment and certificate

  1. Work through the course

    Study each section at your own pace, including the case illustrations and apply-it questions.

  2. Pass the assessment

    5 scenario-based questions. You need 4 correct (80%) to pass.

  3. Download your certificate

    Shows your name, the course, the date and 15 minutes of learning. Anyone can check it on our verification page.

What you keep for your CPD records

  • A certificate of completion recording about 15 minutes of learning (record your actual time)
  • A short reflective account for your CPD record
  • A one-page "if a notification arrives" checklist

How certificates and CPD records workVerify a certificate

Primary sources

The course is built on these official documents. Check them for the current version.

Questions about this course

Is this course recognised by Ahpra or a National Board?

No. This is an independent, free educational mini course. It is not accredited, not approved and not endorsed by Ahpra, any National Board or any professional body. You can record the time you actually spend against your own CPD plan if it is relevant to you.

Does a notification mean I have done something wrong?

No. A notification means someone has raised a concern that the regulator must consider. Ahpra says the majority of notifications, around 85 to 90 per cent, do not require regulatory action.

How long does an Ahpra notification take?

Ahpra says around 40 per cent of notifications close within one month, it tries to finish assessment within 60 days in most cases, and most notifications close within nine months. The most serious matters can take much longer.

Should I contact the patient who complained?

Not about the notification. Contact can be seen as pressure or retaliation, and the National Law protects people who raise concerns. Speak to your indemnity provider first.

Who should I call first?

Your professional indemnity insurer or medical defence organisation. Many policies require early notice, and they can advise you on your response.

Is the process different in NSW and Queensland?

Yes. In NSW, complaints are managed jointly by the Health Care Complaints Commission and the relevant health professional council. In Queensland, the Office of the Health Ombudsman receives all complaints and may refer some to Ahpra.

Is this mini course enough to prepare my response?

No. It is a short introduction. If a concern has been raised about you, get advice from your indemnity provider or lawyer, and consider a full course on responding to a notification.