• 12th Dec 2024

Ahpra: Parental leave fee relief on the way

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One-size-fits-all fees approach under review

A 30 percent rebate on annual registration fees for practitioners who take parental leave will come into effect on 1 July 2025, while a wider review of pro rata fees gets underway.

This action is designed to provide relief for practitioners taking parental leave (and other forms of protected leave types such as disability and carer’s leave).

It is a first step in a range of measures that Ahpra and the National Boards are examining to make the annual registration fees system more flexible and responsive.

For a medical practitioner with general registration, this rebate equates to a reduction in the annual fee of $308, following six months of parental leave.

‘We have listened to the sector and the concerns of practitioners and today is an important first step to address the issues of fee relief for those on parental leave.’ said Ahpra CEO Martin Fletcher.

‘At a time of cost-of-living pressures, we recognise the current fee arrangements can have a big impact on practitioners who are parents or are pregnant, and those who have disability or carer responsibilities, as they may be required to take extended leave away from practice. I thank all the stakeholders who have contributed to these important discussions’.

The rebate will apply to practitioners who have taken leave for at least six months in the 2024/25 registration year on the grounds of a protected attribute.

Due to the timing of their annual renewal date, nurses and midwives will have access to the rebate for their registration renewal due in May 2026.

Work has also occurred to improve current processes when transitioning between practising and non-practising registration.

“We have capped the annual cost to practitioners transferring between practising and non-practising within a registration year. We have also improved the published information and advice for practitioners considering a move to non-practising registration.

A further review will now look at a wider pro-rata approach to fees and is expected to report by November 2025 with recommendations aimed at coming into effect by 1 July 2026.

‘Ahpra is keen to identify other areas where we can streamline fee arrangements for the benefit of practitioners.’ Mr Fletcher said.

Registration fees of practitioners are the primary source of income for the operation of the National Scheme though recognising the cost-of-living expenses of many health practitioners, Ahpra and the National Boards worked hard to minimise their registration fee increases this year.

All fee increases for the 15 National Boards this year were below or in line with indexation.

‘‘We have listened to the sector and the concerns of practitioners and today is an important first step to address the issues of fee relief for those on parental leave.’ – Ahpra CEO Martin Fletcher

Background

Ahpra established a Parental Leave Review Committee to consider a range of scenarios of fee relief in response to calls from practitioners. The ongoing review is backed by comprehensive modelling and consultation with National Boards before determining a 30 percent rebate next year.

Read the Committee’s findings and recommendations (PDF, 159 KB).

Contact: Ahpra Media Line (03) 8708 9200 or media@ahpra.gov.au

Full story on Ahpra website: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2024-12-09-media-release-Parental-leave.aspx

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