What Australian dental practitioners need to know about the sexual misconduct reforms

In April 2026, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) started adding sexual misconduct findings made by tribunals to the public register of health practitioners. The change is part of landmark reforms designed to address sexual misconduct in healthcare. Any sexual misconduct findings made by a tribunal will apply retrospectively (from the start of regulation for each healthcare profession) in each state and territory, with some jurisdiction-specific arrangements in place.

Health ministers decided on this change to further improve public safety and ensure people can make an informed decision when choosing a health practitioner. The changes form part of Ahpra’s broader, ongoing action to prevent sexual misconduct and respond decisively when it occurs. For dental practitioners, it's important to understand the changes.

Sexual misconduct is a broad term that covers a wide range of behaviours, including professional boundary violations, sexual harassment and criminal offences. These can occur inside and outside of a practice setting. All sexual misconduct is serious and can be a serious risk to public safety and professional integrity.

Sexual misconduct may occur:

• even if other parties involved consent to the conduct,
• through telehealth or other forms of remote health care, and
• even if there is no criminal prosecution for the conduct.

The national sexual misconduct reforms require that when a tribunal finds a health practitioner engaged in professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct, this information is permanently published on the public register.

While most tribunal decisions are already published online, the information has not always been easy for the public to find. Under the reforms, the public register entry for an individual practitioner will now clearly state when the decision involved sexual misconduct. For dental practitioners, the changes are retrospective to July 2010 and will be permanent.

When will information be published on the register?

Information is published on the register in cases where a tribunal has made a finding of professional misconduct and a sexual misconduct was a basis for that finding. It does not need to be the main reason. National Boards will use the Guidance: Sexual Misconduct and the National Law to make these decisions through a fair, transparent process.

If published, the public register will show:

• a statement that the practitioner engaged in professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct,
• any sanctions imposed such as conditions, suspension or cancellation,
• and a link to the tribunal decision.

If the practitioner involved has had their registration cancelled, it may also include:

• whether the practitioner is disqualified from reapplying,
• the length of any disqualification period,
• and whether prohibitions apply to providing health services or using protected titles.

Ahpra and the National Boards will contact affected practitioners directly of the proposed decision and reasons, and practitioners will be given an opportunity to respond before any information is published.

Information is published on the register in cases where a tribunal has made a finding of professional misconduct and a sexual misconduct was a basis for that finding. It does not need to be the main reason. National Boards will use the Guidance: Sexual Misconduct and the National Law to make these decisions through a fair, transparent process.

If published, the public register will show:

• a statement that the practitioner engaged in professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct,
• any sanctions imposed such as conditions, suspension or cancellation,
• and a link to the tribunal decision.

If the practitioner involved has had their registration cancelled, it may also include:

• whether the practitioner is disqualified from reapplying,
• the length of any disqualification period,
• and whether prohibitions apply to providing health services or using protected titles.

Ahpra and the National Boards will contact affected practitioners directly of the proposed decision and reasons, and practitioners will be given an opportunity to respond before any information is published.

The introduction of these reforms can be a source of stress and anxiety for many dental practitioners. Recognising the potential impact on mental health, Dental Practitioner Support is a 24/7 national helpline offering support to all dental practitioners and students. Call 1800 377 700 to talk to a trained and qualified counsellor - anytime, anywhere.

More detailed information about the reforms, including legislative changes and implementation, is available on Ahpra’s National Law amendments page.