New protections for people making complaints against health practitioners came into effect on 1 December 2025, strengthening consumer safeguards under the National Law.

The changes, introduced by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and National Boards, make it an offence to threaten, intimidate or retaliate against anyone who makes a complaint in good faith against a registered practitioner. Maximum penalties apply: AU$60,000 for individuals and $120,000 for body corporate entities.

The amendments also introduced new requirements for non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). NDAs with patients are now prohibited unless they explicitly state in writing that they do not limit a person’s ability to make a notification to regulators or provide assistance to the Ahpra and National Boards. Any NDAs seeking to restrict complaints are invalid.

The consumer protection measures form part of a series of National Law amendments being implemented progressively. Full details and implementation guidance for practitioners are available at: ahpra.gov.au/AboutAhpra/Ministerial-Directives-and-Communiques/NationalLaw-amendments.aspx.