Common questions
Health Practitoners Tribunal
What are the health practitioner registration boards and what do they do?
The registration of qualified health practitioners in Queensland is carried out by thirteen health practitioner registration boards who:
- determine professional standards
- assess registration applications
- investigate complaints
- may institute proceedings against registrants for unsatisfactory professional conduct.
How are matters started in the Health Practitioners Tribunal (HPT)?
Initially, all matters are dealt with by the appropriate board.
Matters may be initiated in the HPT by filing:
| Form HPT 1 | Notice of appeal against the decision of a board or panel |
| Form HPT 6 | Referral notice from a board |
| Notice of review from a registrant. |
These can be filed at the District Court in Brisbane.
Who presides over the tribunal?
The tribunal is presided over by a designated judge from the District Court. The tribunal is assisted by three assessors.
The chairperson of the tribunal, who is also the Chief Judge of the District Court, chooses the designated judge and the location where the matter will be heard.
Where can the tribunal sit?
The tribunal may sit in any District Court in Queensland.
Who is the registrar of the tribunal and what role do they play?
The registrar of the tribunal is also a registrar of the District Court in Brisbane.
The registrar may delegate to any registrar or deputy registrar of any District Court.
The registrar/deputy registrar may:
- provide assistance to the tribunal
- issue notices
- choose assessors to assist the tribunal in conducting hearings
- keep records of the tribunal’s decisions and the reasons for the decisions
- hold directions conferences.
Who are the assessors?
Lists or panels of approved assessors are held by the registrar. There is one public panel and a professional panel for each of the professional streams. The positions are advertised, appointed and gazetted by the government.
Assessor candidates must meet certain criteria and complete a comprehensive questionnaire before being considered.
What is the role of assessors?
An assessor advises the tribunal about issues arising during the hearing of a disciplinary matter.
They may ask questions of a witness before the tribunal, or discuss issues with the lawyer or other person appearing for the defendant at the hearing.
How are assessors selected for the tribunal?
The registrar or delegated officer chooses one assessor from the public panel and two assessors from the relevant professional panel for each tribunal matter.
How can a registrant appeal?
A registrant can lodge an appeal against a decision by a health practitioner registration board by lodging a Form HPT 1 - Notice of appeal with the tribunal. This decision may include the suspension or cancellation of registration.
If a registrant is unhappy with a HPT decision, they can lodge a Form HPT 12 - Notice of review claiming that the decision is no longer appropriate.
A registrant can also lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court against a decision of the HPT.
Can a board refer a matter to the tribunal?
A board can lodge a Form HPT 6 - Referral notice with the tribunal if it believes a registrant is failing to comply with disciplinary action instituted by that board.
Last updated Thursday, 20 December 2007 11:04
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