Ahpra Completes Record 13,171 Notifications as Australia’s Health Workforce Nears One Million
29 Oct 2026
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has reported a record number of completed notifications in its 2025–26 annual report, released alongside updates on workforce growth and regulatory reforms.
By the end of June 2026, Australia had 999,105 registered health practitioners. During the financial year, Ahpra received 12,698 notifications about registered practitioners and completed 13,171, the highest annual total since the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme began in 2010.
Around 64% of notifications were closed within six months of being received. The number of cases that remained open for 12 months or longer also fell by 21.2%.
In more serious cases, 295 practitioners were referred to tribunals over concerns about professional conduct, clinical performance and other issues. This was a 53.6% increase on the previous year and the highest number since 2013–14.
Ahpra said the results reflected its focus on identifying risks, improving transparency and protecting the public. Its National Scheme Strategy 2031, launched in March, also places emphasis on preventing harm.
Changes during the year included publishing findings of professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct on the public register of practitioners. The agency also strengthened protections for people who raise concerns.
Ahpra Chief Executive Officer Justin Untersteiner said the agency had focused on keeping the regulatory system effective and trustworthy as healthcare delivery continued to change.
He said completing more notifications while reducing long-running cases meant patients and practitioners could receive outcomes sooner. He added that regulation needed to focus more on prevention, transparency and identifying risks before harm occurred.
Ahpra also worked with government and regulatory partners to address emerging risks, including medicinal cannabis prescribing and the compassionate release of superannuation for healthcare.
Health workforce continues to grow
The number of registered health practitioners increased by 4.1% to 999,105 in 2025–26.
During the year, 70,832 people registered for the first time, including more than 23,000 internationally qualified practitioners. More than 185,000 students were also studying to become health practitioners.
Almost 900,000 practitioners used Ahpra’s secure online portal to renew their registration. The agency continued improving the portal, which launched in March 2025, and introduced faster registration pathways for internationally qualified practitioners in several professions.
Mr Untersteiner said Ahpra would continue improving its registration processes as the workforce approached one million practitioners, while supporting a safe and sustainable healthcare system.
Greater focus on cultural safety
Ahpra continued working to improve cultural safety and address racism affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the healthcare system.
A dedicated team supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants, registered practitioners and other stakeholders navigating the agency’s processes. Work also continued on a Special Issues Committee to manage concerns related to racism.
The number of registered practitioners identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander increased by 7.3% to 12,892.
Targeted recruitment campaigns also increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on Ahpra boards and committees, with the number of members rising by six to 52.
Mr Untersteiner thanked the National Boards, committees and healthcare professions for their continued work to protect the public as patient needs and healthcare delivery evolve.
He said maintaining public confidence required regulation that was effective, fair and transparent, with action focused on serious risks and earlier prevention of harm.
Ahpra Completes Record 13,171 Notifications as Australia’s Health Workforce Nears One Million
Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), 2025–26 Annual Report.