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17 Mar 2026
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is committing to further protecting the public and improving access to, and trust in, health practitioners with the launch of a new five-year strategy for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Launching the National Scheme Strategy 2031 today, Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said the regulator’s commitment to safety and quality was paramount in a rapidly evolving health system.
To keep pace with increasing demand for health services and ever-changing delivery models, the Strategy outlines ambitious and ongoing reform to ensure the continued protection of the public and support for health practitioners. It centres on three strategic themes:
‘These priorities will drive our reform agenda. They will guide every decision and investment we make to ensure Ahpra can continue its vital work of protecting the public for years to come,’ Mr Untersteiner said.
Under the Strategy, effective harm prevention will remain a top priority in the face of continued workforce pressures, changes in society and advancements in technology.
Mr Untersteiner said that, as stewards of the National Scheme, Ahpra and the National Boards played a crucial role in ensuring Australians could continue to have faith in their health system.
‘We have a proven ability to effectively register and regulate health practitioners in Australia. This is our core business and our commitment to public protection has never been in doubt,’ he said.
'But we know we can’t stand still. We have to take stock and make sure we’re in step with what’s next – for health consumers, health workers and the health of the system.’
Under the Strategy, the National Scheme will elevate community voices to ensure people of all backgrounds, faiths, cultures, ages and identities can access safe healthcare, with all interactions to be timely, transparent, straightforward and empathetic.
Robust governance and collaborative leadership will underpin the Strategy and enable Ahpra and other stakeholders to remain agile and vigilant to emerging issues.
Ahpra Board Chair Gill Callister PSM said the importance of collaboration and partnership in healthcare regulation could not be overstated.
‘Our ability to protect the public and support a safe, skilled health workforce depends on National Scheme partners working together in a coordinated and constructive way,’ Ms Callister said.
Mr Untersteiner thanked the many hundreds of stakeholders who had played a role in the development of the Strategy.
‘We have a promise and a plan, and I’m looking forward to delivering on both of those with all of you as we enter our next chapter,’ he said.
‘We know we can’t stand still. We have to take stock and make sure we’re in step with what’s next – for health consumers, health workers and the health of the system,’ – Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner.
