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Online course · Australia

Unprofessional Conduct: Understanding the Standard and Avoiding It

How the National Law Defines Unprofessional Conduct and What Boards Look For

  • About 2 hours
  • 15 scenario questions
  • Reflective account
  • Certificate of completion
  • Online, self-paced

About this course

Unprofessional conduct is the most common finding made against registered practitioners in Australia, and the National Law definition is broader than many realise. This course explains the definition, how decision-makers apply it and the everyday conduct that leads to findings.

The course explains why the National Law defines categories of conduct, reads the definition of unprofessional conduct closely and works through its eight listed inclusions, noting variations in NSW and Queensland. It then shows how Boards, panels and tribunals decide: the evidence they use, seriousness and context, who decides and outcomes on the public register.

Specific forms of unprofessional conduct are covered in depth: contraventions of the National Law, breaching conditions and undertakings, convictions and conduct outside practice, overservicing, influencing another practitioner, referral inducements and pecuniary interests.

Later sections cover everyday conduct that leads to findings (communication, certificates and records, boundaries, privacy, online conduct, workplace conduct and dealing with the regulator) and finish with a daily test using the reasonable peer and the reasonable patient, warning signs, what to do when you fall short and a personal conduct standard.

What you will learn

  • Read the statutory definition of unprofessional conduct closely and see how it fits with the other categories
  • Recognise each of the listed inclusions with a practical example
  • Understand how decision-makers decide what a reasonable peer or member of the public would expect
  • Tell unprofessional conduct apart from poor performance and from professional misconduct
  • Know what outcomes can follow and which ones the public can see
  • Understand how matters run in NSW and Queensland
  • Correct overservicing and steer clear of referral benefits and hidden financial interests
  • Check your own conduct against how a peer and a patient would see it

Who this course is for

  • Practitioners responding to an allegation of unprofessional conduct
  • Practitioners with a caution, reprimand or conditions
  • Practice owners and managers
  • Supervisors and educators
  • Practitioners who want to understand the regulatory standard

How the course works

  1. Once you enrol, open the course from My Courses whenever it suits you. It runs in your browser on desktop or mobile, with nothing to install.

  2. Read 23 lessons grouped into 6 sections. Each lesson unlocks when you finish the one before, and your progress is kept in your browser between visits.

  3. Pause on the worked scenarios and reflection prompts. Anything you type is kept in your course pack, which you can download in Word format or print to PDF.

  4. Complete the final assessment of 15 scenario-based questions with a pass mark of 80% (12 of 15). Retakes are allowed.

  5. After the reflective account and feedback, the course is marked complete in your account and your certificate of completion becomes available. It states the estimated learning time (about 2 hours); log the time you actually spend.

Course content

7 sections · About 2 hours · 15-question final assessment

1The Legal Definition of Unprofessional Conduct4 lessons
  • Why the National Law Defines Conduct Categories
  • Reading the Definition Closely
  • The Eight Listed Inclusions
  • Variations in New South Wales and Queensland
2How Boards, Panels and Tribunals Decide4 lessons
  • The Evidence Decision-Makers Use
  • Seriousness, Context and the Threshold
  • Who Decides: Boards, Panels and Tribunals
  • Outcomes and the Public Register
3Breaches of the Law, Conditions and Convictions3 lessons
  • Contraventions of the National Law
  • Breaching Conditions and Undertakings
  • Convictions and Conduct Outside Practice
4Overservicing, Influence and Referral Benefits4 lessons
  • Excessive or Unnecessary Services
  • Influencing Another Practitioner
  • Referral Inducements and Rewards
  • Pecuniary Interests and Disclosure
5Everyday Conduct That Leads to Findings4 lessons
  • Communication, Respect and Courtesy
  • Certificates, Reports and Records
  • Boundaries, Privacy and Online Conduct
  • Workplace Conduct and Dealing With the Regulator
6Avoiding Unprofessional Conduct in Practice4 lessons
  • A Daily Test: The Reasonable Peer and the Reasonable Patient
  • High-Risk Moments and Warning Signs
  • When You Realise You Have Fallen Short
  • Your Personal Conduct Standard
7Conclusion, Final Assessment and Reflection4 lessons
  • Conclusion and key points
  • References and quick-reference guide
  • Final assessment (15 questions, 80% pass mark)
  • Your reflective account

Assessment and certificate

  • Certificate of completion stating the estimated learning time (about 2 hours); record the time you actually spend.
  • A written reflective account you can keep with your CPD records.

Questions about this course

How does the National Law define unprofessional conduct?

In short, conduct that falls below what the public or your professional peers could reasonably expect of you. The definition then lists particular examples, such as breaching the National Law or conditions, overservicing and accepting referral benefits.

Is unprofessional conduct always about clinical care?

No. Many findings concern communication, records, certificates, boundaries, online conduct or dealings with the regulator.

What outcomes can follow a finding?

Outcomes range from a caution or reprimand to conditions, and some are published on the register. The course explains each outcome and its effect.

How does it differ from professional misconduct?

Professional misconduct is more serious, involving conduct substantially below the expected standard or showing a practitioner is not fit and proper. The professional misconduct course covers it in detail.

How should I record this course in my CPD log?

Log the date, the course name and the time you actually spend; the certificate shows only the estimated learning time. Add two or three lines on what you will do differently, and file the certificate next to your reflective account.

Who runs this course?

Probity Courses, an education provider with no affiliation to Ahpra, the National Boards or any regulator. Your Board's own codes and guidelines always take precedence over course material.

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