Health regulator adopts IHRA definition in healthcare antisemitism response

Australia’s health regulator has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism as a reference tool in its work, as part of a broader push to combat antisemitism, racism and discrimination in healthcare.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency announced the move in a joint statement with Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal AO, on 17 June 2026.

The statement said antisemitism causes real and lasting harm, erodes trust in healthcare, creates fear and exclusion, and can prevent people from seeking or receiving care. It also said antisemitism undermines the safety and wellbeing of Jewish health practitioners and staff.

Segal said healthcare must be safe for patients, practitioners and workers.

“Healthcare should be a safe space for the entire community, patients, practitioners and workers alike,” she said.

“The antisemitism we’ve seen recently puts everyone at risk, and it has no place in our health system. I commend Ahpra for adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and committing to putting in place further measures to help push antisemitism to the margins.”

Ahpra chief executive Justin Untersteiner said antisemitism was incompatible with a health system based on trust and care.

“Antisemitism costs lives and has no place in healthcare,” he said.

“Ahpra is committed to working with the Special Envoy and partners to eliminate antisemitism from the health system because everyone should feel safe when accessing care.”

Ahpra said the IHRA definition would be used as a reference tool, supported by the Special Envoy’s handbook, to help staff develop a consistent understanding of contemporary antisemitism in regulatory work.

The announcement comes after heightened concern about antisemitism in healthcare, including the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital case in February 2025. Two nurses had their registrations suspended after a video surfaced in which they allegedly made threatening comments about Israeli patients. The matter prompted widespread concern within the Jewish community and across the health sector.

Ahpra said it is strengthening its capacity to respond when antisemitism is identified through its regulatory processes. This includes training staff, providing clearer guidance and seeking expert advice so matters are handled with cultural understanding, sensitivity and rigour.

The regulator said the definition would be used as a reference tool to support a consistent understanding of contemporary antisemitism in its regulatory work, rather than as a standalone disciplinary code.

Ahpra indicated it is also reviewing its Vexatious Notifications Framework amid concerns that the complaints process can be misused to target practitioners. It will establish an advisory panel, including practitioners with lived experience of notifications underpinned by antisemitism, to help strengthen safeguards and improve its systems. An advisory panel, including practitioners who have experienced notifications allegedly driven by antisemitism, will help inform changes to strengthen safeguards and improve processes.

An advisory panel of practitioners will also be established, including practitioners with lived experience of notifications underpinned by antisemitism, to help improve systems, processes and safeguards.

Ahpra is supporting research led by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation to better understand the prevalence and impact of antisemitism in healthcare settings. The research is expected to help inform education and training for health practitioners.

In a post on X last Saturday in response to Ahpra’s announcement, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, criticised Australia and claimed that potential disciplinary action against doctors for criticism of Israel would amount to an attack on “professional freedom of expression and medical conscience”.

The announcement marks one of the most significant steps taken by a health regulator in response to concerns about antisemitism in Australia’s healthcare sector.