Ahpra welcomes consultation on surgeon title

13 Dec 2021

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) welcomes the announcement by Health Ministers to review the use of the title ‘surgeon’.

Currently, any registered health practitioner can use the title ‘surgeon’ as it is not protected under the National Law ¹.

Health ministers, as part of a collaborative nationwide consultation, are seeking feedback from the public about whether the current framework should be changed or if other options should be considered to help the public better understand medical practitioner qualifications.

‘Ahpra and the National Boards welcome this important review, and we look forward to having the opportunity to provide input during the consultation phase,’ Ahpra CEO Martin Fletcher said.

Public consultation material, including FAQs, are available on the Engage Victoria website. The consultation opens soon and submissions will be accepted until April 2022.

Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia’s recently announced independent review into cosmetic surgery may help inform a submission to Health Ministers’ consultation.

¹The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

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