Practitioners taking parental leave can have money back in their pockets, as Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) parental leave fee relief policy is now in effect.
Ahpra has announced a 30% rebate on annual renewal fees for health practitioners, including those in the eyecare sector, who take parental leave and certain other forms of leave.
That will deliver rebates of up to $308, depending on registration type, while a wider review of fee policies continues.
“We have listened to concerns and understand the cost-of-living pressures that practitioners who are parents, are pregnant, or have disability or carer responsibilities can face,” said Ahpra CEO Mr Justin Untersteiner.
“Today is an important step in our ongoing process of making registration fee arrangements fairer and more flexible.”
The rebate applies to practitioners who take leave for at least six continuous months on the grounds of a protected attribute, such as parental leave and certain other forms of leave such as disability and carer’s leave.
A practitioner can claim the rebate at the next renewal after the six-month period of leave ends.
Ahpra said it was available for future renewals, noting that the timing of annual renewals will vary.
Work has also started to improve processes when transitioning between practising and non-practising registration, as the annual cost for this has now been capped.
A wider review is currently looking at how a pro-rata approach to fees can be implemented. It is expected to report by November 2025 with recommendations aimed at coming into effect by 1 July 2026.
Visit the Fee relief for parental and other types leave webpage for more information and to read the full policy.
More reading
Ombudsman reviewing Ahpra’s ‘vexatious complaints’ framework
Complaints against Australian optometrists hit a five-year high
Key findings from new Optometry Australia-backed workforce projections report
