Ahpra’s newly appointed CEO, Justin Untersteiner, has shared a message with registered practitioners, outlining his vision for the future of the regulatory body and its role in an evolving healthcare landscape.
In his first official communication, Untersteiner acknowledged the significant responsibility that comes with leading Ahpra, especially in balancing the dual objectives of public protection and supporting a safe, professional health workforce in Australia.
“As I look to move Ahpra into its next phase, I am struck by the evolving nature of regulation and of health practice more generally,” he said. “New models of care, drugs and technology are changing the way healthcare is delivered. Continuing to protect the public and support practitioners to practise safely and professionally in these evolving settings is a focus for Ahpra, and for me as CEO.”
Streamlining Registration Processes
A key focus for Untersteiner is improving practitioner experience when engaging with Ahpra. He highlighted the introduction of a new portal and digital smart forms in March—part of the agency’s largest IT upgrade since its inception in 2010. These changes aim to reduce red tape and streamline the application, renewal, and registration management process.
“Making improvements to our online services will continue to be a focus for 2025,” he added.
Addressing Regulatory Stress and Improving Notifications
The new CEO also acknowledged the distress practitioners may feel during regulatory processes, particularly notifications. In response, Ahpra hosted the Shaping Better Regulatory Experiences forum in April, which focused on supporting practitioners through the notifications process and improving the timeliness of immediate actions.
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to address practitioner distress. Improving the experience of practitioners in the notifications process will be a priority for me as CEO,” Untersteiner said.
Looking Ahead: A More Open, Listening Regulator
Looking to the future, the new CEO shared his ambition for Ahpra to grow into an open, adaptive, and learning regulator. He emphasised his commitment to listening to practitioners, stakeholders, and community groups as part of shaping a responsive regulatory environment.
Practitioners are encouraged to share their feedback by emailing:
communications@ahpra.gov.au.
