Before you book any health care, you can check who will be looking after you. The national register of health practitioners is free to search online. There is no login and nothing to pay. It takes about a minute.
It is a simple step that can help you feel informed and at ease. Here is a quick guide.
What the register is
Many kinds of health practitioners in Australia must be registered to practise. This includes doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists.
The national regulator for health practitioners keeps a public register of everyone who holds registration. It is kept up to date and anyone can use it.
You can find the register of practitioners online. You do not need a reason to search it.
How to search
Start with the person’s name. If the name is a common one, you may see a list. You can narrow it down by profession or by state.
It helps to have the person’s full name. The name someone uses day to day is not always the name they are registered under. If you are not sure, ask the clinic. It is an everyday question, and a clinic will be used to hearing it.
What an entry shows
An entry is short and easy to read. It usually shows:
- the practitioner’s name and profession
- their registration number
- whether their registration is current
- the date they were first registered
- any endorsements on their registration
- any conditions, undertakings or reprimands
If the registration is current, the person is registered in that profession. Any conditions show limits on how they practise.
What conditions and undertakings mean
A condition is a limit placed on how someone can practise. An undertaking is a commitment the practitioner has agreed to. Both are published so the public can see them.
They can be there for a range of reasons. The entry usually gives some detail about what each one covers.
If you see one and would like to know more, you can simply ask. How it is explained to you is useful to hear.
What the register does not show
The register is a record of registration. It tells you that someone is registered, and in which profession.
It does not tell you how someone works. It cannot tell you whether you will feel comfortable with them, either. That part comes from meeting them and talking things through.
So think of the register as one helpful piece of the picture. The rest comes from a conversation.
Friendly questions to ask a clinic
Alongside the register, a few questions can help you feel settled before you book:
- Who will I see at my consultation?
- Is that the same person who would treat me?
- Who do I contact if I have a question afterwards?
- Will I see the same person at a review?
Ask them in whatever words feel natural. There is no wrong way to ask.
Putting it together
Checking the register is quick. Asking a few questions is easy. Together they give you a clear starting point, and you can take your time over the rest.
If you would like more ideas, our guide on how to choose a cosmetic clinic covers the first visit, costs and aftercare.
Come and meet us
If you are thinking about a visit, you are welcome to get in touch with any questions first. When you are ready, book a consultation in the clinic. We will get to know you, look at your skin with you, and talk through your options. You can also read about the care we provide.
Individual results vary from person to person. A consultation does not guarantee a particular outcome, and for some people the answer is that no treatment is appropriate. Our services are for adults aged 18 and over.