Health Law

If you are the subject of a complaint or have any issues with your registration, you need to feel confident that the lawyer representing you understands not just the intricacy of your profession, but also the real impact these complaints or registration processes can have on you personally.

There is a complex system of regulation of registered and unregistered health practitioners in Australia which exists to ensure public safety and that practitioners have appropriate qualifications, expertise and ethical standards. Whether it’s responding to complaints or disciplinary matters, helping you apply for or ensuring your registration allows you to practise – our team helps you understand your rights and obligations while protecting your reputation and career. 

Combining extensive legal insight with an empathetic, people-first approach, we provide clear counsel and reliable support, freeing you to focus on delivering quality care.

Facing Regulatory, Disciplinary, or Professional Conduct Complaints?

If you’re facing scrutiny from a regulator or board, the stakes are high. Your registration or ability to work may be at risk, ultimately affecting your income. For many professionals, this is one of the most stressful moments of their career. 

Hall Payne Lawyers provides specialist health law advice to individuals navigating regulatory investigations, complaints, disciplinary action, and professional conduct matters. When these issues arise, securing early legal advice can make a critical difference to the outcome.

Legal Guidance You Can Rely On

Protecting Your Practice

Your ability to work is directly tied to your income and professional future.

Our team can provide advice focused on protecting both, whether through early intervention, strategic negotiation or formal representation.

Genuine Care & Human Connection
Over 30 Years of Experience
Accessible, Fair & Transparent

FAQ

We believe informed health professionals are better protected professionals. Review these FAQs for essential information regarding investigations, indemnity insurance, and legal support.

When should I engage a lawyer if I've received a notification or complaint?

Early legal advice is critical, regardless of whether the issue seems minor or major. Regulatory bodies are not obligated to protect your interests, and so care should be taken in responding to any requests for information or submissions. Your initial response is very important should be well considered. 

Not all insurance policies provide coverage in relation to regulatory complaints depending on the conduct you have been alleged to engaged in. You may also want to obtain independent advice if your insurer has appointed a lawyer.

Coronial inquests can be highly stressful. We can assist you to prepare and present evidence, clearly define the scope of your involvement, and navigate the investigation and inquiry process. 

If you have been refused registration or there is a proposal to refuse registration, contact us for advice on what you can do to improve your prospects of your application being favourably considered or how to challenge a proposed refusal.

If you have conditions on your registration our team of lawyers can advise you on your current conditions and what steps you can take to seek their removal.

Yes, we have helped many clients over the years who work in regulated employment such as NDIS support work, childcare workers, social workers and aged care personal care workers who have faced allegations about their conduct and performance

Absolutely! All advice and representation provided by Hall Payne Lawyers is strictly confidential. We prioritise your privacy while offering expert guidance to protect your career and professional reputation.

Yes, we have experience in assisting specialist medical practitioners challenge removal from their training program and we can provide advice on the rules and processes your College must follow during the program.

Health Law

Who We Help

Our team stands in your corner, supporting all health practitioners. Every matter is unique, but our clients all have the goal of upholding professional standards, safeguarding their careers and protecting their ability to work in their profession. 

Health Practitioners

Doctors, Nurses and Midwives, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Podiatrists & Chiropractors and other registered practitioners.

We assist registered health practitioners facing complaints, notifications, audits and disciplinary proceedings involving bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), the Health Ombudsman, HCCC, and other professional boards. These matters are often complex, time-sensitive and career-defining. Our lawyers understand how regulators operate and how to present your position clearly and effectively. 

Unregulated Health Practitioners and Personal Care Workers

NDIS Support Workers, Disability Support Workers, Personal and Home Care Workers, Social Workers.

Unregulated health practitioners may be subject to complaints by, participants, consumers, clients, residents, co-workers and employers. We provide clear, plain-language advice and representation to help you understand your options, respond appropriately, and protect your ability to continue to work. 

International Medical Graduates

We assist overseas-trained medical professionals through the process required to obtain registration in Australia. Our team provides structured, practical guidance on meeting regulatory requirements and addressing challenges that may arise during the process.

Other Regulated Professionals

Legal Practitioners, Teachers, Vets, Accountants, Financial Services Workers, Blue Card Holders and Working with Children holders, disability worker permits.

We also act for professionals in other regulated industries where permits, licences or Blue Cards are essential to ongoing employment. These matters often involve complex compliance frameworks and serious consequences if mishandled. 

Our Health Law Services

When your professional standing is challenged, our team provides critical support and strategic advocacy to safeguard your professional reputation and future livelihood. Here’s how our services can help:

Health Professionals Facing Conduct Allegations

We advise and represent clients responding to Ahpra notifications, registration issues, audits, and disciplinary proceedings. Our experience allows us to anticipate what boards and regulators require of registrants, enabling us to give clients precise direction throughout the process.

Coronial Inquests

Coronial inquests can be confronting and stressful, particularly where your professional conduct or clinical decision-making is under scrutiny. We provide strategic advice and representation to help clients prepare evidence, respond to questions, and help you navigate the investigation and inquiry process.

Health Employment Cases

We act in employment-related matters affecting health professionals, including terminations, suspensions, contractual disputes, and workplace investigations that intersect with regulatory or professional obligations.

Self-notification

Health practitioners are required to notify their national board of certain events. We provide advice when to make a notification, the notification process and ongoing action that may arise from the notification.  

Start Your Journey With Total Peace Of Mind

Facing Disciplinary Action and need Advice

Facing regulatory or disciplinary issues can be daunting.

Our dedicated team of lawyers specialising in professional registration and conduct matters provide legal support to maintain your career and credibility.

Our People

Meet the Health Law Team

Luke is recognised as one of Australia’s leading employment lawyers, with 24 years’ experience advising executives, unions and employees across complex employment, industrial relations, defamation and professional conduct matters.
Elyane is a Principal Solicitor with 20 years’ experience specialising in industrial and employment law, enterprise bargaining and workers’ rights, with a strong focus on empowering clients and promoting social justice.
Juliana is a Principal Solicitor specialising in health and employment law, known for guiding health and other professionals through regulatory investigations with practical, compassionate support while protecting their careers and reputations.
Justine is a Special Counsel with over 20 years’ experience in Health Law, widely trusted by practitioners to navigate complex AHPRA, OHO and regulatory investigations with clarity and discretion.
Jennifer draws on experience across family, property and commercial litigation to guide workers through stressful employment disputes with clarity, calmness and practical problem solving.
Alexandra draws on experience as an Associate in the Federal Court to advocate for clients in employment, industrial relations and criminal matters across Queensland courts and the Fair Work Commission.
Shania brings strong litigation and advisory experience to workplace matters, helping clients understand their rights with clarity, compassion and clear guidance
Ignat combines his expertise as a registered nurse and lawyer to support health practitioners and other clients with employment, industrial and regulatory matters.

Blog Posts – Health Law

Our blog delivers practical articles and updates from our legal team on medical regulations, compliance, and professional safeguards—helping care providers protect their practice, career, and reputation.

How to deal with Ahpra complaints or notifications as a health professional
Complaints or notifications against health professionals are not uncommon and can have serious implications for a practitioner’s registration as well as their current and ...
What to do if you receive an AHPRA notification
AHPRA regulates all registered health pracitioners in Australia. When someone lodges a complaint or concern with AHPRA, it’s called a notification. This blog is ...
Health practitioners’ obligations when advertising professional services
If you are a health professional or run a business that advertises health services, you must not engage in deceptive and misleading conduct. In ...

Please select which state you are in?

Specific information will be displayed depending on your state.