Unregistered NSW man fined after presenting himself as a medical practitioner
19 Aug 2026
Linh Tuan Phan pleaded guilty to one charge of falsely holding himself out as a registered medical practitioner under section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2010.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) brought the case, which was heard at Penrith Local Court on 17 August.
Phan was first registered as a medical practitioner in 1998. His registration was suspended by the Medical Council of NSW in 2021. Although the suspension was later lifted, he was subject to a condition that prevented him from practising medicine.
He did not renew his registration in 2023 and has not been registered since 1 November 2023.
Between November and December 2023, Phan continued operating a clinic offering ozone therapy and presented himself as a registered medical practitioner. The clinic was promoted as a medical centre, while its website described medical ozone treatment as safe when performed by an expert medical practitioner.
In November 2023, Phan diagnosed a patient with Lyme disease and recommended ozone therapy. He reportedly told the patient that the treatment had no risks or side effects and was completely safe.
The patient received three treatments, including ozonated saline infusion and ultraviolet light irradiation. During the third session, the patient developed stomach cramps, back spasms, shooting pains and nausea.
Phan reportedly told the patient the reaction was normal and would settle within half an hour.
The patient later developed further symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and was admitted to hospital for treatment before being discharged several days later.
During sentencing, Judge Brian Van Zuylen described the offending as very serious. The court also noted that the patient may not have agreed to the procedure if they had known Phan was not a registered GP.
Along with the $3,000 fine and Community Corrections Order, Phan was ordered to pay $24,444.55 in legal costs.
Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said practising medicine without registration was unacceptable and that patient safety remained a key priority.
Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr Susan O’Dwyer also encouraged patients to check the practitioner register to confirm that their doctor is qualified and currently registered.
Unregistered NSW man fined after presenting himself as a medical practitioner
Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).