Ahpra Releases Early Copy of Updated Criminal History Standard

Ahpra Releases Early Copy of Updated Criminal History Standard

01 May 2026

The early release gives health practitioners, students and applicants time to understand the changes before they take effect.

The standard helps Boards decide how a person’s criminal history may affect their suitability to work as a registered health practitioner. The update aims to make the process clearer and more consistent, while reducing duplication and removing unnecessary details.

A new addition to the standard looks at how racism and systemic inequity can impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and how this may relate to a person’s criminal history.

The revised standard follows two public consultations held in 2023 and 2024. It is also part of a broader reform plan introduced in February 2023 to strengthen public safety in health regulation.

Practitioners and applicants are encouraged to review the updated standard before it begins in July 2026.