Company fined for refusing to comply with an Ahpra investigation

24 Apr 2026

A landmark court decision has resulted in a company being fined for failing to cooperate with an Ahpra investigation, the first such case under the National Law.

A West Australian company has been fined for failing to provide financial information regarding the sale of supplements and the use of alternative treatments and devices by a registered health practitioner, as requested during an Ahpra investigation.

Siena Beauty Pty Ltd, a practice management company for a registered health practitioner’s clinic, was charged by Ahpra after it failed to comply with a Schedule 5 Notice to Produce Information. The Notice was issued as part of an Ahpra investigation into the conduct and performance of a registered health practitioner and required the company to produce specified financial records.

After being granted several extensions of time to comply with the Notice, the company failed to provide the requested information and did not provide a reasonable excuse for failing to do so.

This was the first prosecution for this offence under the National Law.

The matter was listed for trial on 21 April 2026 but ultimately the company pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced the same day. Magistrate Andrew Matthews fined the company $2,500 and ordered it to pay $5,000 towards Ahpra’s legal costs.

Ahpra’s CEO Justin Untersteiner welcomed the court’s decision and said it was important for businesses to know that Ahpra has the power to compel them to provide evidence to support investigations.

‘Failing to comply with an Ahpra investigation undermines Ahpra’s ability to protect the public and is a criminal offence,’ Mr Untersteiner said.

‘This case serves as a clear reminder to practitioners and businesses of the importance of cooperating fully with Ahpra investigations, and that Ahpra will take enforcement action, including prosecution, where necessary.’ 

The Medical Board of Australia has referred a number of concerns about a registered health practitioner involved in this investigation to the Western Australian State Administrative Tribunal.