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The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency () has successfully prosecuted a Victorian man for holding himself out as a registered nurse in breach of section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 (National Law). Though previously registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia聽() as a registered nurse, he had surrendered his registration in June 2021.

Then in April 2022, the man applied for employment and claimed to be a registered nurse, providing聽the prospective employer with a certificate of registration that was not genuine. When the prospective employer sought to confirm his registration status by searching his name on the register of practitioners, the man鈥檚 name did not appear and the employer reported the matter to Ahpra.

The matter had been previously listed for sentencing on 14 April 2023, however the man failed to attend. An arrest warrant was then issued.聽On 24 January 2025, the man attended at the Magistrates Court of Victoria at Moorabbin and pleaded guilty to one charge of holding himself out as a registered nurse. The man was convicted and fined $5000 and also ordered to pay Ahpra鈥檚 legal costs of $21,420.56.

鈥淭he production of a false document was a particularly aggravating feature,鈥� Magistrate Angela Bolger noted. 鈥淭he charges before the Court are remarkably serious 鈥�. The National Scheme is designed to offer ongoing protection against those who hold themselves out as registered.鈥�

On the importance of the registration process in keeping the public safe, Kym Ayscough, Acting Ahpra CEO, said: 鈥淎hpra and the National Boards ensure prospective practitioners are safe and suitable to practise. This means we make sure an applicant not only has the necessary skills and qualifications, but they uphold the values of the profession and don鈥檛 put the public at risk.鈥�

鈥淭his process should not be bypassed to get to work sooner,鈥� Ayscough added.

The outcome reinforces the importance of having safeguards in place to protect the public, NMBA Chair, Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM, said, adding: 鈥淭rust is vital to the nursing profession and the public鈥檚 confidence in our work, which is why action must be taken when that trust is breached.鈥�

If you have concerns about whether an individual is registered, you can check the online maintained by Ahpra or call 1300 419 495.

Image credit: iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska