Australia: Healthcare

In Gawthrop v Bendigo Health [2026] VSC 157, the Supreme Court of Victoria examined the context surrounding informed consent. The plaintiff presenting to hospital in labour was advised to undergo a vaginal examination as part of routine care for admission to the birthing unit.

The Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales has awarded substantial wage increases to nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing, following a finding that their work has been historically undervalued on gender-based grounds. The decision addresses systemic pay inequities in female-dominated healthcare professions while balancing economic considerations for the New South Wales public sector.

The Health Care Complaints Commission placed a prohibition order on Ms Huirong Zhou, a non-registered practitioner, following a Botox treatment she administered to a patient causing iatrogenic botulism and persistent difficulty swallowing and speaking...

Monash IVF's recent settlements arising from serious embryo transfer errors highlight the increasing operational, governance and risk challenges facing IVF providers as patient...

From April 2026, information about findings of sexual misconduct involving medical practitioners and other health professionals regulated by AHPRA and the National Boards will be made publicly available on the National Register across all states and territories.

Retaining experienced clinicians is critical to service continuity, patient outcomes, and operational stability.

Australia and New Zealand have just launched their first national concussion guidelines for GPs.

An Independent Review to examine patient safety issues in the cosmetic surgery industry.

ART providers and families alike would benefit from harmonised legislation and a national donor register to improve oversight and accountability.