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Victorian staffing ratio changes

Victorian health services should be aware of significant upcoming changes to nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient staffing ratios. The Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Act 2026 (Vic) introduces hospital reclassifications and changes to emergency department categories that will affect staffing obligations across a range of hospitals. Our latest Legislative Compliance Alert outlines the key operational impacts and commencement dates.

Health Legal Report August 2026

In this August 2026 issue of the Health Legal Report we discuss collecting personal information using technology – OAIC Guidelines, crackdown on unfair trading practices – changes to the Australian Consumer Law, the benefits of template contracts, and the latest OAIC data breach statistics.

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Best Law Firms – Australia 2027 edition winner

Health Legal’s recognition in the inaugural edition of Best Law Firms – Australia (2027 Edition) highlights our firm’s exceptional legal expertise in Health and Aged Care Law.

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New requirements for Queensland ART providers

On 1 March 2026, new legislation commenced in Queensland, prescribing additional requirements for ART providers in relation to consent, counselling, and licensing under the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 (Qld).

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The Doyle’s Guide 2026 Victorian Health & Aged Care Law Rankings – our winners

Doyle’s Guide 2026 Law Rankings details solicitors practising in commercial, transactional and regulatory matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified for their expertise, knowledge and abilities relating to the Health & Aged care industries/sectors. This year, our Legal Counsel Alon Januszewicz and Special Counsel Giovanni Marino have both been recognised in Doyle’s “Leading Health & Aged Care Lawyers – Victoria, 2026” category.

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Court Approves Partner’s Consent for Posthumous Sperm Retrieval

The Supreme Court of Victoria authorised Alfred Health to retrieve sperm from a deceased man, confirming his partner as ‘senior available next of kin’ under the Human Tissue Act for consent purposes.

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Negligent Discharge Leads to Damages in Ectopic Pregnancy Case

The ACT Supreme Court found Calvary Healthcare negligent for discharging a patient with unresolved pain and inadequate warnings about ectopic pregnancy risks, awarding over $118,000 for physical and psychological harm.

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New Authorisations for Paramedic Practitioners under Victorian Law

The 2025 amendments to Victoria’s Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act recognise paramedic practitioners as a new class of registered paramedics, granting them expanded authority to handle scheduled poisons under strict compliance obligations.

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New Authorisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners under Victorian drugs legislation

Under changes to Victorian legislation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners are now authorised to obtain, possess, supply and administer certain scheduled substances under instruction.

Victorian staffing ratio changes

Health Legal Report August 2026

Best Law Firms – Australia 2027 edition winner

Health Legal’s recognition in the inaugural edition of Best Law Firms – Australia (2027 Edition) highlights our firm’s exceptional legal expertise in Health and Aged Care Law.

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