Mandatory Reporting

In Australia, doctors are subject to several mandatory reporting requirements. These are designed to ensure patient safety and uphold the standards of the medical profession. Here’s a summary of the key mandatory reporting requirements:

1. Professional Misconduct or Impairment: Doctors are legally required to make a report to AHPRA about a fellow health practitioner or a student if they have a reasonable belief that the practitioner or student is:
   • Practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.
   • Placing the public at risk of substantial harm because of an impairment (physical or mental health issue).
   • Practising in a way that constitutes a significant departure from accepted professional standards.
   • Engaging in sexual misconduct in connection with their practice.
2. Child Abuse and Neglect: In many Australian states and territories, doctors must report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of minors.
3. Notifiable Diseases: Doctors must report cases of 66 different infectious diseases to public health authorities. This is crucial for tracking, managing, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. A copy of this list is reproduced below.
4. Medical Errors or Adverse Events: In certain circumstances, doctors may be required to report significant medical errors or adverse events, particularly those that result in serious harm to patients.
5. Criminal Offenses: Depending on the nature of the offence, doctors may be required to report their own criminal offences or those of colleagues, particularly if they relate to their practice or impact patient safety.
6. Fitness to Drive: Doctors may need to report patients who have medical conditions that impact their ability to drive safely.
7. Prescription Monitoring: In some states, there are requirements for doctors to report or check prescription monitoring databases when prescribing certain high-risk medications to combat issues like drug misuse or overprescribing.

These reporting requirements can vary slightly between different states and territories in Australia, and the specifics can change over time. It’s important for medical professionals to stay informed about the current regulations in their respective locations.

Note that with intimate partner violence, a competent adult has the right to not report the incident, i.e., this is not a mandatory report event.

Notifiable Disease List