Ahpra Focuses on Safer Healthcare and Stronger Public Confidence
06 Jul 2026
Over the past 18 months, Ahpra has focused on listening to health professionals, governments and the community before making changes. The organisation has introduced a new National Scheme Strategy built around three priorities: preventing harm, improving cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and creating a sustainable health workforce.
Mr Untersteiner said Ahpra has already made progress by reducing unsafe prescribing of medicinal cannabis, improving the way complaints are managed, investing in better technology to identify risks earlier, and developing new resources to help health practitioners respond to family, domestic and sexual violence.
He also said cultural safety remains a key priority. Ahpra is continuing its work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders to reduce racism and discrimination across Australia's healthcare system and create safer workplaces for both patients and health professionals.
The CEO highlighted concerns about workplace culture in medicine, pointing to survey results showing that many medical trainees experience bullying, harassment, discrimination or racism. He said healthcare organisations must create environments where staff feel safe to speak up without fear.
Mr Untersteiner also discussed the need for medical regulation to keep pace with a changing healthcare system. He said regulators must identify risks earlier, work more closely with governments and communities, and use data to make better decisions that protect patients.
He said recent government reviews have encouraged Ahpra and the National Scheme to improve the way they respond to new issues, simplify processes and plan for future healthcare needs. According to Mr Untersteiner, the organisation will continue to modernise while keeping public safety at the centre of every decision.
He concluded by saying that building a trusted, transparent and future-ready regulatory system will require strong partnerships between Ahpra, health boards and the wider healthcare sector.
Ahpra Focuses on Safer Healthcare and Stronger Public Confidence
Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) – CEO keynote speech at the Medical Board of Australia National Conference, Brisbane (2 July 2026).