{"id":33435,"date":"2026-07-06T14:16:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:16:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/?page_id=33435"},"modified":"2026-07-12T17:51:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T17:51:29","slug":"nmba-complaints-investigations-explained","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/nmba-complaints-investigations-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"NMBA Complaints &#038; Investigations Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"33435\" class=\"elementor elementor-33435\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a89a36 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a89a36\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7490c3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7490c3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Healthcare Ethics Courses \u2014 Nursing & Midwifery Board article \u2014 paste into an Elementor Custom HTML block. 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aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/au\/knowledge-support\/\">Nursing &amp; Midwifery Board<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li aria-current=\"page\">Complaints and Investigations Explained<\/li>\r\n    <\/ol>\r\n  <\/nav>\r\n\r\n  <header class=\"head wrap\">\r\n    <h1>NMBA Complaints and Investigations Explained<\/h1>\r\n    <div class=\"meta\">\r\n      <span>9 min read<\/span>\r\n      <span class=\"dot\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&bull;<\/span>\r\n      <span>Last updated June 2026<\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"lead\">Learning that a concern has been raised about you is one of the most stressful moments in a nursing or midwifery career. This guide explains, in plain English, how complaints about nurses and midwives are handled in Australia \u2014 who deals with them, what the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) can and cannot do, and how the process usually unfolds \u2014 so you can engage with it calmly rather than from a place of fear.<\/p>\r\n  <\/header>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"takeaways wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>Concerns about nurses and midwives are called <strong>notifications<\/strong>. In most of Australia they are made to Ahpra, which manages them on behalf of the NMBA.<\/li>\r\n      <li>New South Wales and Queensland work differently: in NSW notifications are handled by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW, and in Queensland they go first to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The NMBA is a <strong>risk-based regulator<\/strong>. Its purpose is to protect the public, not to punish \u2014 and many notifications close after an initial assessment.<\/li>\r\n      <li>After assessing a concern the Board may take no further action, seek more information, refer it to a health or performance pathway, investigate, or in serious cases take immediate action.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Genuine insight and evidenced remediation are often the most influential part of your response.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Who regulates nurses and midwives?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Nursing and midwifery are regulated nationally by the <strong>NMBA<\/strong>, working in partnership with <strong>Ahpra<\/strong> (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. Ahpra receives and manages notifications on the Board\u2019s behalf, but the NMBA \u2014 not Ahpra \u2014 makes the decisions about what happens next.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Two states run their own arrangements:<\/p>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li><strong>New South Wales<\/strong> is a co-regulatory jurisdiction: conduct, health and performance concerns are managed by the <strong>Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW<\/strong>, supported by the Health Professional Councils Authority and the Health Care Complaints Commission.<\/li>\r\n      <li><strong>Queensland<\/strong> concerns go first to the <strong>Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO)<\/strong>, which decides whether to keep a matter or refer it to Ahpra and the NMBA.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n    <aside class=\"note\"><p>Wherever you practise, a mandatory notification and any concern about a criminal offence must still be reported to Ahpra.<\/p><\/aside>\r\n\r\n    <h2>What is a notification?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>A notification is simply an expression of concern about a nurse\u2019s or midwife\u2019s <strong>health, conduct or performance<\/strong>. Anyone can make one \u2014 a patient, a family member, a colleague or an employer \u2014 and practitioners, employers and education providers have a legal duty to make a <strong>mandatory notification<\/strong> if they form a reasonable belief that \u201cnotifiable conduct\u201d has occurred (for example, practising while intoxicated, sexual misconduct, significant impairment, or a serious departure from accepted standards).<\/p>\r\n    <p>Making a notification is not the same as being found at fault. It is the start of a process designed to work out whether there is a risk to the public that needs managing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <h2>What happens after a notification is made?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Once a notification is received, it is <strong>assessed<\/strong> \u2014 the NMBA generally aims to complete a preliminary assessment within around 60 days. You will usually be told a concern has been raised and given the chance to respond. Depending on what the assessment finds, the Board may:<\/p>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>take <strong>no further action<\/strong> \u2014 common where a concern is minor, lacks substance, or has already been addressed;<\/li>\r\n      <li>ask for <strong>more information<\/strong> or a written submission from you;<\/li>\r\n      <li>refer the matter to a <strong>health or performance pathway<\/strong> (for example a health or performance assessment) rather than a conduct process;<\/li>\r\n      <li>begin a formal <strong>investigation<\/strong>, carried out by an Ahpra investigator who reports back to the Board; or<\/li>\r\n      <li>take <strong>immediate action<\/strong> \u2014 suspending registration or imposing conditions \u2014 but only where this is necessary to protect the public while the matter is worked through.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n    <aside class=\"note\"><p><span class=\"note-h\">Immediate action is the exception, not the rule<\/span>Most notifications do not result in any restriction on your registration. Immediate action is reserved for situations where there is a serious and current risk to the public.<\/p><\/aside>\r\n\r\n    <h2>Possible outcomes<\/h2>\r\n    <p>When the assessment or investigation is complete, the NMBA decides what, if anything, is needed to keep the public safe. Outcomes range from taking no further action, through a <strong>caution<\/strong>, <strong>conditions<\/strong> on registration or an <strong>undertaking<\/strong>, to \u2014 in the most serious cases \u2014 referral to a <strong>panel<\/strong> or the relevant <strong>tribunal<\/strong>. A tribunal can reprimand a practitioner, impose conditions, or suspend or cancel registration. The great majority of matters resolve well short of that point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <h2>How to respond well<\/h2>\r\n    <p>How you engage matters. Practitioners who do best tend to take three steps early:<\/p>\r\n    <ol>\r\n      <li><strong>Get advice.<\/strong> Contact your professional indemnity insurer, your union or professional association (such as the ANMF), or an independent lawyer experienced in health practitioner regulation \u2014 ideally before you submit anything in writing.<\/li>\r\n      <li><strong>Respond honestly and on time.<\/strong> Meet the deadlines you are given, answer the specific concerns raised, and avoid being defensive or minimising.<\/li>\r\n      <li><strong>Show insight and remediation.<\/strong> Demonstrating that you understand what happened, why it mattered, and what you have changed is often the single most influential part of a response.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ol>\r\n    <p>Our companion guides explain the notification system in more detail: <a href=\"\/au\/knowledge-support\/ahpra\/what-is-an-ahpra-notification\/\">what an AHPRA notification is<\/a> and, when you need to write back, <a href=\"\/au\/knowledge-support\/ahpra\/how-to-respond-to-an-ahpra-notification\/\">how to respond to an AHPRA notification<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n    <aside class=\"note wb\"><p><span class=\"note-h\">Look after yourself too<\/span>A notification is stressful even when the outcome is positive. Nurse &amp; Midwife Support offers free, confidential help 24\/7 on 1800 667 877.<\/p><\/aside>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"courses wrap\">\r\n      <h2>Related CPD courses<\/h2>\r\n      <p class=\"intro\">Prepare and respond with confidence using CPD designed for Australian practitioners:<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Dealing with a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/fitness-to-practise-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Fitness to Practise for Healthcare Professionals<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practise\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Insight for Fitness to Practise<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/remediation-for-fitness-to-practise\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Remediation for Fitness to Practise<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"siblings wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Continue the Nursing &amp; Midwifery Board series<\/h2>\r\n        <a class=\"sib\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/professional-boundaries-for-nurses-midwives\/\">Professional Boundaries for Nurses and Midwives<svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"sib\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/reflective-practice-insight-for-nurses\/\">Reflective Practice and Insight for Nurses and Midwives<svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"faq wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Who manages complaints about nurses and midwives?<\/h3><p>In most of Australia, Ahpra manages notifications on behalf of the NMBA, and the NMBA makes the decisions. In New South Wales it is the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW, and in Queensland concerns go first to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>How long does an assessment take?<\/h3><p>The NMBA generally aims to complete a preliminary assessment within around 60 days, though more complex matters that proceed to investigation take longer.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Will I lose my registration if someone makes a notification?<\/h3><p>Usually not. Most notifications close without any restriction on registration. Suspension or conditions are reserved for cases where there is a serious, current risk to the public.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Can I keep working during an investigation?<\/h3><p>In most cases yes. Your registration is only restricted if the Board takes immediate action, which happens only where it is necessary to protect the public.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Should I get legal advice?<\/h3><p>Yes \u2014 contact your professional indemnity insurer, union or professional association, or a lawyer experienced in health practitioner regulation before responding in writing.<\/p><\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n    <p class=\"disclaimer\">This article is general information for education and CPD purposes. It is not legal advice and does not create a practitioner\u2013adviser relationship. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your professional indemnity insurer, your union or professional association, or an independent lawyer experienced in health practitioner regulation. Healthcare Ethics Courses is an independent education provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ahpra or the NMBA; regulator names are used for reference only.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\r\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/knowledge-support\/nursing-midwifery-board\/nmba-complaints-investigations-explained\/#article\",\r\n      \"headline\": \"NMBA Complaints and Investigations Explained\",\r\n      \"description\": \"How complaints and notifications about nurses and midwives are handled in Australia - who manages them, the NMBA's role, what happens after a notification, and how to respond.\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-AU\",\r\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-03\",\r\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-03\",\r\n      \"author\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\",\r\n        \"jobTitle\": \"Founder, Healthcare Ethics Courses\",\r\n        \"description\": \"MRCS, MRCGP, PG Cert Healthcare Law & Ethics (University of Dundee)\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"publisher\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\",\r\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/knowledge-support\/nursing-midwifery-board\/nmba-complaints-investigations-explained\/\",\r\n      \"about\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Nursing and midwifery regulation in Australia\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\r\n      \"itemListElement\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 1,\r\n          \"name\": \"Home\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 2,\r\n          \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 3,\r\n          \"name\": \"Nursing & Midwifery Board\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 4,\r\n          \"name\": \"Complaints and Investigations Explained\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n      \"mainEntity\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Who manages complaints about nurses and midwives?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"In most of Australia, Ahpra manages notifications on behalf of the NMBA, and the NMBA makes the decisions. 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