You are not penalised for having a health condition. The Medical Board does not act simply because a doctor is unwell. A mandatory notification about impairment is only required where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm, which is a very high threshold, and the approach is supportive.
In short
A health, or impairment, notification is about a health issue that may be affecting your capacity to practise safely, including mental health and substance use. The threshold for a mandatory notification is very high: only where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm by practising with an impairment. A well-managed condition rarely meets it, and the threshold for treating doctors is set even higher to encourage help-seeking. Most impairment notifications are voluntary, many are made by doctors themselves, and confidential support is available now.
What is a health or impairment notification?
It is a concern that a health issue may be detrimentally affecting your capacity to practise safely.
Health is one of the three streams a notification can fall into, alongside conduct and performance. An impairment means a physical or mental health condition, including substance use or dependence, that may affect your ability to practise safely. National figures show substance use and mental health are the most common concerns behind doctor impairment notifications, and that most such notifications are made voluntarily, including a notable share by doctors about themselves. The whole approach is protective, not punitive. For the overall process, see our guide to what happens after a notification to the Medical Board.
What is the threshold for a health notification?
A mandatory notification about impairment is only required where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm.
This is a deliberately very high bar. Having a health condition, even a serious one, is not itself notifiable. The Board is clear that not all impairments need to be reported, and that a doctor may practise with a mental illness or physical condition without triggering a mandatory notification, provided it is managed and does not pose a substantial risk. In deciding whether the threshold is met, the following are considered:
- The nature, extent and severity of the impairment
- What steps the doctor is taking, or willing to take, to manage it
- How well the impairment can be managed with treatment
- Any other matter relevant to the risk it poses
A serious and unmanaged impairment that places the public at substantial risk is what triggers a mandatory notification, not a health condition that is being managed responsibly.
Will my own treating doctor report me?
Only in narrow circumstances. The threshold for treating practitioners is set even higher, specifically to encourage doctors to seek help.
If you see a doctor for your own health, they must make a mandatory notification only if they form a reasonable belief that you are placing the public at substantial risk of harm by practising with an impairment. Illness that is treated and well managed would rarely be considered an impairment at all, so it would rarely be reportable. In Western Australia, treating practitioners are exempt from mandatory reporting of a practitioner-patient on these grounds. The clear message from the regulator is that seeking care for your own health is encouraged, and is not the same as being reported.
How are intoxication and substance use treated?
Practising while intoxicated is a serious concern, but seeking help for a substance issue is supported.
There are two separate things here. Practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, meaning your reasonable care and skill is impaired, is a serious matter and a category of notifiable conduct. That is different from having a substance use health issue that you are addressing. Substance use is the single most common concern in doctor impairment notifications, and the regulator actively encourages doctors to seek help. A mandatory notification is only needed where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm by practising with the impairment. If you are worried about your own alcohol or drug use, reaching out early is the safest and most professional step.
Why is the health pathway supportive?
Because the goal is safe practice, so the health stream is built around treatment and monitoring, not punishment.
Where a health matter proceeds, the Board may arrange a health assessment to understand your situation, and can put supportive arrangements in place. These often allow you to keep working safely, for example through treatment, monitoring, supervision, or a temporarily modified scope, and they are reviewed and eased as your health improves. A well-managed condition is generally no barrier to continuing to practise. The focus throughout is on getting you to a place where you can work safely, which is in everyone's interest, including yours.
Where can you get support?
Confidential support is available specifically for doctors, and reaching out does not trigger a notification.
Doctors' Health Services (drs4drs)
A confidential support service for doctors and medical students across Australia, providing advice and access to help for health, including mental health and substance use. Using it is confidential and separate from the regulator.
Your own treating doctor, your medical defence organisation and your college are also important sources of support. Engaging with your own health care early is viewed positively, not negatively, and is the surest way to stay well and safe to practise.
How should you respond, and how can CPD help?
Engage with treatment, be open about how you are managing the risk, and use reflection and CPD to show insight.
The strongest response to a health matter is evidence that you understand any risk and are actively managing it with your treating team. Where CPD is relevant, structured learning on fitness to practise, aligned with your CPD registration standard, can help you show insight into how health and safe practice connect, and support a reflective statement. This sits alongside your health care and any remediation, and never replaces treatment or advice. For serious matters, take advice from your medical defence organisation.
To evidence insight and fitness to practise
Courses to support your response
Structured CPD to help you show insight into fitness to practise. These sit alongside your health care and advice, and never replace them. Independent CPD you can use as evidence of remediation.
Fitness to Practise for Healthcare Professionals
- Understand how fitness to practise is assessed
- See how health connects to safe practice
- Evidence insight for your response
How to Deal With a Notification or Investigation
- Understand each stage of the Board's process
- Know what to do, and what to avoid, early
- Respond calmly and well prepared
Module on Reflection
- Write a reflective account with insight
- Show understanding of the risk and its management
- Prepare a statement you can submit
Module on Remediation
- Evidence the steps you are taking
- Show a plan that reduces future risk
- Document remediation for your response
See the full range of CPD for doctors.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Will I be reported just for having a health condition?
No. The Medical Board does not act simply because a doctor is unwell. A mandatory notification about impairment is only required where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm, which is a very high threshold rarely met by a managed condition.
Will my own doctor report me to Ahpra?
Only if they reasonably believe you are placing the public at substantial risk of harm by practising with an impairment, which is a very high threshold. Illness that is treated and well managed would rarely be considered an impairment at all.
Is the rule different in Western Australia?
Yes. In Western Australia, treating practitioners are exempt from mandatory reporting of a practitioner-patient on the grounds of impairment, intoxication or departure from standards, which further supports doctors seeking their own health care.
Will seeking help for alcohol or drug use get me reported?
Seeking help is encouraged and is not the same as being reported. A mandatory notification is only needed where a doctor places the public at substantial risk of harm by practising with an impairment. Support services are confidential and separate from the regulator.
Is practising while intoxicated the same as a health issue?
No. Practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is a serious matter and a category of notifiable conduct. Having a substance use health issue that you are addressing with support is treated as a health matter.
Can I keep working with a health condition?
Usually yes. A well-managed condition is generally no barrier to practising. Where a matter proceeds, supportive arrangements such as treatment, monitoring or a modified scope often allow you to keep working safely.
Where can I get confidential support as a doctor?
Doctors' Health Services (drs4drs) offers confidential support for doctors and medical students across Australia, on 1300 374 377. Your treating doctor, medical defence organisation and college are also important sources of support.
Does CPD help with a health notification?
It can support your response by showing insight into fitness to practise, alongside your treatment and advice. CPD never replaces health care, but structured learning aligned with your CPD registration standard can help evidence your understanding.
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, the Medical Board of Australia, 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 or medical advice. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your medical defence organisation or a health law solicitor, and speak with your treating practitioner about your health.