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Prof Peter McCluskey. Image: RANZCO.<\/p>\nOphthalmic leaders have welcomed the candid, reform-focused message from Ahpra\u2019s new CEO, Mr Justin Untersteiner, who used a major speech to acknowledge regulatory shortcomings and chart a course through pressing challenges like workforce shortages, telehealth, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).<\/p>\n
Untersteiner, who began as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)\u2019s second-ever CEO in May 2025, spoke at the Australian Medical Association\u2019s Colleges, Associations and Societies (CAS) meeting in Canberra on 23 June. His remarks were closely watched across the health professions, coming at a time of intense scrutiny on regulatory processes and amid growing concerns about practitioner\u00a0wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Much of his address focused on one of the most significant challenges for Ahpra: rebuilding confidence in the notifications system.<\/p>\n
For the system to work, he acknowledged the patient complaints process needed to be timely, transparent, procedurally fair, empathetic and accessible.<\/p>\n
But he wasn\u2019t convinced the current end-to-end system was achieving this, leading to \u201ca loss of confidence and a loss of trust in the scheme\u201d.<\/p>\n
Much of this was highlighted in an independent review by Ms Sue Dawson \u2013 the former NSW Health Care Complaints Commissioner \u2013 into \u201cunproductive and unnecessary complexity\u201d within the system that regulates optometrists, ophthalmologists and other health professionals. Publishing this so early in his tenure has allowed Untersteiner to hear many views about how his organisation is performing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe report is also sobering \u2013 it paints a bleak picture of our performance in several areas,\u201d he\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a perception that we have moved too slowly, and at times taken decisions that appear to be made in isolation without a deep enough understanding about flow-on consequence and risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
This transparency was welcomed by Optometry Australia (OA) which acknowledged \u201cthe leadership shown\u201d by Untersteiner in his address and welcomed his recognition of the need for \u201ca more responsive and proactive approach to promoting safety in healthcare\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s encouraging to see a positive response to the recommendations made through the Dawson Review and recognition of the need to transform the notifications system to ensure both thoroughness and timeliness,\u201d CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur members who have experienced a notification know that a timely approach is much needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
RANZCO similarly welcomed Untersteiner\u2019s approach of crafting a \u201clistening, learning and responsive\u201d regulator.<\/p>\n
Prof Peter McCluskey. Image: RANZCO.<\/p>\n
\u201cWide stakeholder engagement is key to ensuring the important, and nuanced, work of health regulation meets the needs of the population and supports colleges and other groups in providing the very best in patient and community care,\u201d president Professor Peter McCluskey said. <\/p>\n
Discussing workforce strains, Untersteiner said it was an issue being felt in many jurisdictions globally, but highlighted local factors such as shortages in regional and remote areas, and the low numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health\u00a0practitioners.<\/p>\n
While he praised recent reforms such as the Kruk Review\u2019s somewhat controversial faster pathways for overseas-trained professionals, he stressed that more was required to ensure Australians could access timely, affordable\u00a0care.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to accelerate accreditation reform, and we must work across the system to improve workforce outcomes in the health sector,\u201d Untersteiner said. <\/p>\n
On the workforce issue, Cappuccio said OA had been calling for regulatory reforms to support therapeutically- endorsed optometrists to work to their full scope, including through appropriate oral prescribing. The body also wants greater regulatory attention to issues affecting professional safety and performance, such as working conditions that limit clinical\u00a0autonomy. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese matters are critical to the delivery of timely patient care and to practitioner safety and sustainability,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Prof McCluskey said RANZCO agreed with Untersteiner\u2019s summation that Australia is facing ongoing issues of supply and demand and questions around patient access and affordability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe college is already playing a constructive role in addressing these issues through initiatives like Vision 2030 and beyond. RANZCO is looking forward to working with Ahpra under Justin\u2019s leadership,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
Keeping pace <\/p>\n
Untersteiner devoted significant time in his speech to the disruptive forces reshaping healthcare, from the growth of telehealth to the rapid advance of AI. He pointed to benefits such as greater flexibility and improved access to care but highlighted emerging regulatory risks.<\/p>\n
This included concerns about telehealth being misused and causing harm, plus comments around how AI can produce efficiencies, access to information and automation of low-risk activities but could compromise patient safety through bias, privacy breaches, or misleading advice.<\/p>\n
Cappuccio said with the evolving areas of telehealth and AI use in healthcare, OA recognised these as key areas requiring \u201cstrong, proactive guidance from the regulatory body to ensure patient safety\u201d.<\/p>\n
Throughout his address, Untersteiner underlined his vision for Ahpra to become a more responsive regulator. He has already spent his first two months in the role meeting with health ministers, colleges, associations and practitioners to hear their concerns\u00a0directly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am reminded as I meet with many across the professions and the communities that we serve that we live in a time of dramatic change,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGeopolitical challenges are accelerating a loss of trust in institutions \u2013 an issue that has been on the rise in recent times and certainly impacts Ahpra and other authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Untersteiner made clear there would be no quick fix but stressed \u201cthe question is not whether Ahpra and the scheme should reform \u2013 the question is what does reform look like and when do we get there\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia\u2019s health system is one of the most respected in the world. It can only maintain that reputation through a robust regulatory system that ensures the public can have confidence in the care they receive,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe work we do together \u2013 across professions, jurisdictions and communities, underpins the safety, quality and trust that Australia\u2019s rightly expect from their healthcare system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cappuccio agreed there was a collective\u00a0responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed to continuing to work with Ahpra, the Optometry Board of Australia and other key stakeholders to strengthen the optometry profession by building a more responsive and future-focused system that can keep pace with the changing needs of practitioners and the public alike,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More reading<\/p>\n
Ombudsman reviewing Ahpra\u2019s \u2018vexatious complaints\u2019 framework<\/a><\/p>\n Complaints against Australian optometrists hit a five-year high<\/a><\/p>\n