Criminal history

The criminal history registration standard is the same across all the regulated professions.

• Criminal history registration standard (249 KB,PDF), Word version (574 KB,DOCX) 

Ahpra must check an applicant’s criminal history during the registration process to ensure only those practitioners who are suitable and safe to practise are granted registration in Australia.

A new criminal history registration standard is in effect from 1 July 2015. It makes minor amendments to the old standard, which is expected to have minimal impact on practitioners.

When a practitioner first applies for registration, the National Board requires the applicant to declare their criminal history in all countries, including Australia. All registered health practitioners must inform their National Board if they are:

• charged with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more, or
• convicted or found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment in Australia and/or overseas.

When practitioners renew their registration they must disclose any changes to their criminal history.

You can read more about how criminal history checks are conducted on the criminal history checks page, and about what checks are required from countries other than Australia for some applicants and registrants on the international criminal history checks page.

• Letter from Ministerial Council (665 KB,PDF)