In short
Conditions are requirements a National Board imposes on your registration, such as supervision, education or limits on scope, and they appear on the public register. An undertaking is a commitment you offer and the Board accepts; it is a legal obligation and cannot be appealed. Both are monitored for compliance. Both can be reviewed and removed once you show the risk has been addressed, which is where evidenced remediation matters.
What are conditions on registration?
Conditions are requirements a National Board places on your registration to manage a risk while allowing you to keep practising within them.
Common conditions include supervision, mandatory education, restrictions on your scope of practice, or a requirement to report on certain activity. They are a proportionate way for a Board to protect the public without stopping you working altogether. Conditions are recorded on the public register of practitioners. For how conditions can arise as an interim measure, see our guide to immediate action.
What are undertakings?
An undertaking is a commitment you offer, and the Board accepts, to do or refrain from doing something to protect the public.
Unlike a condition, an undertaking comes from you. A National Board can accept an undertaking but cannot demand one. It is a legal obligation once accepted, and importantly it cannot be appealed, so it should only be offered with advice. Offering a workable undertaking can sometimes avoid a more restrictive outcome.
What is the difference between conditions and undertakings?
Conditions are imposed by a Board, while undertakings are offered by you and accepted; the appeal position also differs.
The practical effect can look similar, since both place requirements on your practice and both are monitored. The key differences are origin and appeal. A Board imposes conditions and you may be able to seek review of them, whereas you offer an undertaking and, once accepted, it cannot be appealed. Because of that, the decision to offer an undertaking is one to take carefully and with advice.
Are conditions and undertakings public?
Conditions are recorded on the public register, and relevant undertakings are also reflected there so the public can see any limits on a practitioner.
The register exists so patients and employers can check a practitioner's current status. Restrictions that affect how you may practise are shown there. This is one reason practitioners want conditions lifted as soon as the risk has genuinely been addressed, and why clear evidence of remediation matters.
How long do conditions and undertakings last, and are they monitored?
They last until reviewed and removed, and while in place they are actively monitored for compliance.
There is no fixed duration. A condition or undertaking stays in place until a Board is satisfied the risk has been addressed. While it is in force, your compliance is monitored, and failing to comply is itself a serious matter that can lead to further action. Meeting every requirement carefully is essential.
Can conditions or undertakings be removed or changed?
Yes. They can be reviewed and removed once you demonstrate that the underlying risk has been addressed.
Comply fully and keep records
Meet every requirement and keep clear evidence of your compliance throughout the period.
Gather remediation evidence
Assemble evidence that the concern has been addressed, such as supervisor reports, audits and targeted CPD.
Take advice
Speak to your indemnity insurer or lawyer about the right time and way to seek a review.
Apply for review
Request that the Board review the condition or undertaking, putting your evidence clearly before it.
How can remediation and CPD help?
Strong, evidenced remediation is what persuades a Board that a condition or undertaking is no longer needed.
When you seek a review, the Board is asking the same question as before: has the risk been addressed. Evidenced remediation, including targeted structured CPD aligned with your CPD registration standard, is the clearest way to answer yes. You can browse the full CPD course range for Australian health professionals to match a course to the concern behind your condition.
Insight · Reflection · Remediation
Courses to support your response
Independent, structured CPD you can use as evidence of remediation when seeking review of a condition. The three IRR pillar modules come first.
Module on Insight
- Recognise what happened and why it mattered
- Understand the standard that applies to you
- Build the foundation a Board looks for
Module on Reflection
- Structure an honest written reflective account
- Show your thinking, not just your intentions
- Prepare a statement you can submit with confidence
Module on Remediation
- Turn reflection into concrete, evidenced action
- Plan changes that reduce future risk
- Document remediation for your response
How to Deal With a Notification or Investigation
- Understand each stage of the process
- Know what to do, and what to avoid, early
- Approach your response calmly and well prepared
How to Avoid a Complaint or Notification
- Spot the situations that commonly lead to concerns
- Strengthen everyday practice and communication
- Reduce the risk of a future notification
Fitness to Practise for Healthcare Professionals
- Understand how fitness to practise is assessed
- Link conduct, performance and health to standards
- Frame your remediation around what matters
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
What are conditions on registration?
Conditions are requirements a National Board places on your registration to manage a risk, such as supervision, education or limits on scope. They let you keep practising within them and appear on the public register.
What is an undertaking?
An undertaking is a commitment you offer, and a Board accepts, to do or refrain from something to protect the public. It is a legal obligation once accepted and, unlike some conditions, cannot be appealed.
How do conditions and undertakings differ?
Conditions are imposed by a Board, while undertakings are offered by you and accepted. You may be able to seek review of conditions, but an accepted undertaking cannot be appealed, so offer one only with advice.
Are conditions shown on the public register?
Yes. Conditions that affect how you may practise are recorded on the public register so patients and employers can see a practitioner's current status. This is why practitioners seek to have them removed once the risk is addressed.
How long do conditions last?
There is no fixed period. A condition or undertaking stays in place until a Board is satisfied the risk has been addressed. While in force, your compliance is monitored, and failing to comply is a serious matter.
Can conditions be removed?
Yes. Conditions and undertakings can be reviewed and removed once you demonstrate the underlying risk has been addressed. Full compliance and strong remediation evidence support an application for review.
What happens if I breach a condition?
Breaching a condition or undertaking is treated seriously and can lead to further regulatory action. Meeting every requirement carefully, and keeping records of your compliance, is essential throughout the period.
Does CPD help remove conditions?
Yes. Targeted, structured CPD aligned with your CPD registration standard is strong evidence that the concern behind a condition has been addressed, which supports an application to have it reviewed and removed.
Dr Richard
Course Facilitator
A practising clinician with over 21 years of experience and postgraduate training in healthcare law and ethics, so every course reflects both clinical reality and Australian regulatory standards.
Written and reviewed by Dr Richard. Last reviewed . Read full profile
AHPRA Courses is an independent training provider. Our courses are structured CPD that practitioners can use as evidence of remediation. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ahpra, any National Board, or any other regulator. Courses provide evidence of remediation and do not determine the outcome of any matter. This article is general information, not legal advice. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your professional indemnity insurer or a health law solicitor.