AHPRA Apologises After Email Privacy Error Affects Healthcare Workers
06 Aug 2026
The issue occurred on 29 July when AHPRA sent invitations to a Zoom webinar titled Addiction and Recovery: Process, Support and Experiencing a Health Notification. The webinar was designed for healthcare professionals to learn about addiction, recovery and the health notification process.
Although participants were told they could join anonymously to protect their identity, the invitation email accidentally revealed recipients' private email addresses to other invitees.
AHPRA confirmed the error and said it acted immediately after discovering the mistake. The regulator contacted those affected, apologised directly, asked recipients to delete the email, and provided information on how to make a formal complaint to AHPRA or the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman. It also notified the Ombudsman about the incident.
According to the ABC, not everyone who received the invitation had a notification related to addiction or impairment.
The invitation had reassured participants that their names would not be visible during the webinar and that questions could be submitted anonymously, with cameras and microphones turned off.
The incident prompted concern from some invitees, with several expressing frustration and saying the privacy breach had undermined confidence in the process.
The webinar is scheduled for 26 August as part of AHPRA’s ongoing education program for registered health practitioners. It will include a presentation from a healthcare professional sharing their experience with addiction and the health notification process.
AHPRA said it remains committed to engaging with healthcare professionals and the wider community through educational webinars featuring experts and people with lived experience.
AHPRA Apologises After Email Privacy Error Affects Healthcare Workers
Source: newsGP, ABC News