Practitioners including nurses and midwives who take parental and other types of leave can apply for a 30% rebate on their renewal fees under a new Ahpra relief policy now in effect.
The 30% rebate is available for health practitioners who are renewing their registration after taking leave for at least six months on the grounds of a protected attribute, which includes parental leave, disability or status as a carer.
A practitioner can claim the rebate at the next renewal after the six-month period of leave ends. They cannot apply for this rebate before the six-month period has started, or before it has ended.
Ahpra says the introduction of the fee relief policy, which will deliver rebates of up to $308 for some practitioners, follows a review which highlighted cost-of-living concerns that practitioners who are parents, are pregnant, or have disability or carer responsibilities can face.
Start
This policy came into effect on 1 July. It applies to any practitioner who completes six months of continuous leave as parental leave or other form of protected leave. The period of leave must not have concluded before 1 July 2024.
Scope
The policy applies to individuals who have held registration other than non-practising registration and are renewing the following registration types with their relevant National Boards:
• general
• provisional
• limited
• specialist, and
the six continuous months ended during the previous full registration period, due to parental leave or another relevant protected attribute.
Leave for a protected attribute
Means leave taken for a protected attribute in accordance with the Fair Work Act.
How do I apply?
You must apply for this form of fee relief while completing your renewal application. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then the rebate will automatically be applied on the payment page. Ahpra won’t consider an application for fee relief for parental leave and certain other forms of leave after you have applied for renewal.
When do I apply?
Practitioners apply at the next renewal opportunity after they have completed six continuous months of leave for parental leave or certain other forms of leave.
Nurses and midwives who complete six continuous months of leave before 31 May 2026, will apply for the rebate when the renewal period starts on 31 May 2026.
Do I have to provide evidence of having taken parental leave or protected leave to support my application?
As part of your application, you will need to make a declaration that you took leave for at least six continuous months which ended in the previous registration period on the grounds of a protected attribute. This is the only evidence Ahpra needs at application.
However, Ahpra may ask you for more information to demonstrate your eligibility at a later stage. Examples include letters from your current employer confirming your absence, pay slips, etc.
What happens after I apply?
If you are eligible and declare that you meet the criteria, the 30% rebate will automatically be applied to the fees in your renewal application. No other action is required from you at the time of renewing.
Where can I find more information?
Read Ahpra’s full fee relief policy here
