Consultation Hub

Welcome to the Consultation Hub. This site will help you find, share and participate in consultations that interest you. Below you will find links to the consultations we are currently running.

Alternatively you may search for consultations by keyword, interest or status. Once finalised, decisions will be published under Closed Consultations.

Open Consultations

  • Drug and Alcohol Program Consultations - Phase 1

    Responsibility for alcohol and other drugs (AOD) policy is shared by the Australian and state and territory governments, with distinct but complementary roles. States and territories have primary responsibility for AOD services at the jurisdictional level. This includes leading the...

    Closes 13 March 2026

  • Have Your Say: Regulatory Options for Counsellors and Psychotherapists

    You are invited to participate in a consultation on regulatory models that could be used to implement the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Nous Group has been engaged by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) to undertake research and engage...

    Closes 20 March 2026

  • Spinal cord stimulator post-listing review impact assessment

    We are completing an impact assessment on the proposed outcomes of the spinal cord stimulator post-listing review. We invite stakeholders to provide feedback on how the proposed changes might affect them. Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) are implanted under the skin and treat certain types of...

    Closes 23 March 2026

  • NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee Consultation February 2026

    The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) was established in an ongoing capacity by the Australian Government in response to the NDIS Review . The EAC will make recommendations to government on the safety, suitability and value for money of supports for NDIS funding , drawing on the best...

    Closes 29 March 2026

  • Restricting Infant Formula Marketing in Australia

    In October 2024, the Australian Government announced its intention to mandate the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers and Importers (MAIF) Agreement . The MAIF Agreement was a voluntary agreement between infant formula manufacturers and importers to not advertise and...

    Closes 10 April 2026

Closed Consultations

  • Weekly Bed Availability Request - 6 March 2026

    Please complete the survey by close of business today. Bed availability information will be submitted to the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) by close of business Tuesday 10 March 2026. It will assist discharge discussions and pathways from acute care to aged care for older...

    Closed 10 March 2026

  • Rural and Remote Nursing and Midwifery Education Survey

    The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner is committed to supporting workforce pipelines that provide localised health care to rural and remote communities. As such, we would like to work with you to gain a more fulsome understanding of rural and remote nursing and midwifery education....

    Closed 10 March 2026

  • Modernising Referral Pathways

    This questionnaire seeks the views of patients, medical providers and other interested parties on whether current Medicare referral arrangements are effectively supporting access to specialist care. It also seeks views on suggestions for reform. Before completing the questionnaire, please...

    Closed 6 March 2026

  • DIR 223 Clinical trial of a genetically modified adenovirus for treatment of bladder cancer

    The Gene Technology Regulator has received a licence application (DIR 223) from Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd for a clinical trial of a genetically modified (GM) adenovirus for bladder cancer treatment. Comments are now being sought on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment...

    Closed 6 March 2026

  • NDIS rules: Public consultation on new framework planning

    This consultation is about the new framework planning rules. New framework plans are designed to make NDIS planning clearer and more transparent. New framework plans will start from mid-2026 for some participants who are over the age of 16. It will be a phased introduction so many...

    Closed 6 March 2026

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

Between 27 November 2025 and 14 January 2026, we sought your feedback on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) prepared for the DIR 221 licence application (Clinical trial of a genetically modified (GM) Escherichia coli for the treatment of ulcerative colitis from Melius MicroBiomics Pty Ltd).

You said

During the 7-week consultation period, we received advice from prescribed Government agencies, and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.

We heard support for:

  • the overall conclusions of the RARMP
  • the licence conditions for DIR 221.

We heard concerns for:

  • potential negative impacts on people and the environment
  • the limits and controls proposed in the draft licence.

We did

We analysed the feedback provided during the public consultation process in finalising the RARMP. The issues raised and how they were addressed can be found in Appendix A of the final RARMP.

The Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence to Melius MicroBiomics Pty Ltd for the clinical trial with the GM E. coli on 4 February 2026. More details, including the final version of the RARMP and the licence, are available at DIR 221 | Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

We appreciate all those who provided input to the consultation – your feedback will help to ensure that any risks posed by gene technology to people and the environment continue to be managed

We asked

Between 28 October 2025 and 10 November 2025, we sought feedback on proposed improvements to the Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Rule 2020.

You said

We heard from over 300 current and former legacy and statutory Program participants, universities and professional bodies who provided feedback on the proposed changes.

We heard support for:

  • Removal of the ‘fellowship’ requirement, enabling all participants to commence and complete their Return of Service Obligation (RoSO) earlier in their career.
  • Increased flexibility for former Bonded Medical Places Scheme participants with a 52 week RoSO by allowing pro-rata part time RoSO.
  • Minimising evidence administration to reduce the administrative burden for participants.
  • Altering telehealth eligibility to the location of the provider only.

We heard concerns about changes:

  • To location eligibility impacting participants’ ability to return service.
  • Being applied inconsistently to legacy and statutory Program participants.
  • Adding to existing administration and communication challenges.

We did

Feedback from this survey shaped the advice provided to the Minister. Should changes be made to the Rule, they will commence the day after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. We will keep participants informed about implementation progress.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this consultation.

We asked

Between 8 September and 3 November 2025, we sought your feedback on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) prepared for licence application DIR 218 for the commercial release of a genetically modified (GM) tomato from All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd, trading as All Aussie Farmers.

You said

During the 8-week consultation period, we received advice from prescribed Government agencies, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, and the public.

We heard support for:

  • the overall conclusions of the RARMP
  • the licence conditions for DIR 218

We also heard concerns for:

  • the potential negative impacts on people and the environment
  • the potential for horizontal gene transfer of the antibiotic resistance gene
  • the potential for increased weediness as a result of the introduced genes.

We did

We analysed the feedback provided during the public consultation process in finalising the RARMP. The issues raised and how they were addressed can be found in Appendices B and C of the final RARMP.

The Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence to All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd for the commercial release of a GM tomato on 6 January 2026. More details, including the final version of the RARMP and the licence, are available at DIR 218 | Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

We appreciate all those who provided input to the consultation – your feedback will help to ensure that any risks posed by gene technology to people and the environment continue to be managed.