AMA Queensland welcomes Ahpra registration fee changes
AMA Queensland has welcomed news that doctors on parental or carer’s leave will be given a break on their medical registration fees.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has announced a 30% rebate for medical practitioners who take protected leave for at least six continuous months.
Doctors said it was unfair–particularly on women–that they still be required to pay the full fee amount of $1,027 in most cases, despite not practicing and therefore not subject to regulator scrutiny.
The fee relief policy now means doctors can apply for rebates of up to $308 on their annual registration.
AMA Victoria Immediate Past President Dr Jill Tomlinson spearheaded advocacy for change with a petition, which AMA Queensland and other health bodies supported and shared throughout 2024.
Our President Dr Nick Yim and CEO Dr Brett Dale wrote to the Queensland Government in August 2024 to urge the issue be placed on the next Health Ministers’ meeting.
In its statement announcing the policy change, Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said a wider review of fee policies is ongoing.
“We have listened to concerns and understand the cost-of-living pressures that practitioners who are parents, are pregnant, or have disability or carer responsibilities can face,” he said.
“Today is an important step in our ongoing process of making registration fee arrangements fairer and more flexible.”
