State-by-state obligations
Praxi surfaces Australian state-specific statutory obligations inside the product so practitioners see the right framing on every clinical surface. This index links the help-centre articles for each topic in each state.
Informational guidance only — consult your own legal counsel for any specific compliance question.
Topics
- National: child sexual abuse Royal Commission (recordkeeping)
- National: Disability Royal Commission (product extract)
- National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
- National: NSQHS Standards (enablement)
- National: Open Disclosure Framework 2026
- National: TGA software / SaMD posture
- National: Superannuation Guarantee (employers)
- WWCC and NDIS worker screening
- Victoria: Royal Commission into Family Violence (extract)
- Victoria: MARAM family violence framework
- Victoria: FVISS and CISS information sharing
- NSW: coercive control offence (s 54D)
- Mandatory reporting
- Complaints regulators
- Sexual-assault counselling privilege
- Coroner notification
- Payroll tax (contractor structures)
National: child sexual abuse Royal Commission (recordkeeping)
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Final Report, 2017) Volume 8 sets five recordkeeping principles for institutions that work with children, and recommends retaining records relating to child sexual abuse (occurred or alleged) for at least 45 years.
| Praxi support | Notes |
|---|---|
| Clinical notes + immutable signed notes | Creates accurate incident/decision records |
| Mandatory reports workflow | Documents reporting decisions |
| Legal hold on clients/files | Prevents early destruction when CSA content is present |
| Client access / amendment pathways | Aligns with access/annotate principle |
| State mandatory-reporting playbooks | Linked below |
(currency 2026-07-28). Sibling topics: National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, WWCC / NDIS worker screening, mandatory reporting (this page).
National: Disability Royal Commission (product extract)
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Final Report 2023) made 222 recommendations across 12 volumes (+ intro). Praxi does not claim DRC certification. Day-to-day NDIS provider duties sit in Commission Rules (Code, Practice Standards, RP, reportable incidents, complaints) — the RC is the systemic reform backdrop.
| Theme (product-relevant) | How Praxi can help (enablement) |
|---|---|
| Restrictive practice reduction | RP authorisation, monthly reporting, fade-out, PBS capability gates |
| Supported decision-making / autonomy | Consent, nominees/stakeholders, Easy Read BSP |
| Complaints & independent oversight | Commission complaints pathways in knowledge/forms; practice owns IMS |
| Safeguarding (violence/abuse/neglect) | Reportable-incident register, risk/safety plans |
| Accessible information | Easy Read generation, accessible templates |
| Disability-capable workforce | PBS Capability Framework tracking, screening fields, Academy |
(currency 2026-07-28). Government response tracking: PMC resource.
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (endorsed by COAG, February 2019) give effect to the Royal Commission’s child safe standards. Official PDF.
| # | Principle (short) | How Praxi can help (enablement — not certification) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leadership, governance and culture | Compliance hub, org settings, audit trail |
| 2 | Children informed and participate | Minor consent pathways, client portal, Easy Read BSP |
| 3 | Families and communities involved | Guardian consent, stakeholder portal, nominees |
| 4 | Equity and diversity | Cultural safety features, jurisdiction-aware content |
| 5 | Suitable people | WWCC pre-booking checks, staff credentials, EAP panel WWCC |
| 6 | Child-focused complaints | Complaints-body directory; practice still owns IMS |
| 7 | Education and training | CPD logbook, Academy, risk-safety protocols |
| 8 | Physical and online environments | Privacy Mode, RLS, telehealth security, session recording consent |
| 9 | Regular review and improvement | Compliance checks, mandatory-report dashboards |
| 10 | Policies and procedures | Compliance document templates, risk-safety protocols |
(currency 2026-07-28). State Child Safe Standards schemes (e.g. Vic CSS) may impose additional local duties — check your jurisdiction.
National: NSQHS Standards (enablement)
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (second edition, ACSQHC) set a nationally consistent statement of the care consumers can expect from health service organisations. Eight standards: Clinical Governance; Partnering with Consumers; Preventing and Controlling Infections; Medication Safety; Comprehensive Care; Communicating for Safety; Blood Management; Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration.
Accreditation duty applies to all public and private hospitals, day hospitals, and most public dental practices. Many private psychology / allied health practices are not mandatory NSQHS-accredited organisations — consider also Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and Digital Mental Health Standards. Third-edition engagement is underway; accreditation still uses the second edition until the Commission says otherwise.
| Standard (high product relevance) | How Praxi can help (enablement — not accreditation) |
|---|---|
| Clinical Governance | Roles, audit logs, incidents/risk, supervision, policies |
| Partnering with Consumers | Portal, consent, feedback, Easy Read, shared care |
| Comprehensive Care | Treatment plans, pathways, assessments, safety plans |
| Communicating for Safety | Notes/addenda, referrals, messaging audit trail |
Never market Praxi or a practice as “NSQHS certified/accredited”. Open Disclosure is a sibling instrument (section below).
Currency reviewed: 2026-07-28 (against Praxi compliance guidance and primary sources).
National: Open Disclosure Framework 2026
Open disclosure is a principles-based approach to communicating openly and honestly with patients when things go wrong. ACSQHC released the revised Australian Open Disclosure Framework 2026 in June 2026 (applies across all healthcare settings). Accredited health service organisations implement open disclosure under the NSQHS Clinical Governance Standard.
Person-centred principles (Commission hub):
- Respectful and transparent communication
- Compassionate acknowledgement and apology
- Restorative process
- Fostering cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Framework PDF | …/2026-06/Australian-Open-Disclosure-Framework_1.pdf |
| Fact sheet (when and how) | resources/…fact-sheet… |
Product: document conversations and follow-ups in notes/incident trails — never auto-send apologies or patient-facing incident notices. Stale “February 2014 Framework” cites should be updated to 2026.
(currency 2026-07-28).
National: TGA software / SaMD posture
The TGA regulates software-based medical devices (including AI) under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 unless the product is excluded or exempt. Manufacturer intended purpose drives classification. Multi-function products must satisfy exclusion criteria for every clinical function.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Software regulation overview | Understanding how we regulate software-based medical devices (24 Feb 2026) |
| CDSS rules (excluded vs exempt) | CDSS software regulation |
| Exclusions hub | Software-based medical device exclusions |
| EHR exclusion (14M) | Electronic health records exclusion |
Praxi posture (internal memo, not a TGA ruling): AI clinical writes are
decision-support to practitioners (never AUTO AI writes; Outbox/sign-off;
verifiable citations). See docs/compliance/tga-samd-excluded-software.md and
lawyer-brief A12. Do not market Praxi as “TGA approved” or “SaMD certified”
without ARTG.
Currency reviewed: 2026-07-28 (against Praxi compliance guidance and primary sources).
National: Superannuation Guarantee (employers)
Practices that employ staff must pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) under ATO rules. General rate is 12% from 1 July 2025 (and remains 12% for 2026–27 / from 1 Jul 2027 on the ATO table). Rates: ATO super guarantee.
| System | When | Payment timing (high level) |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly super | Pay periods to 30 Jun 2026 | Fund must receive by 28 days after quarter end (28 Oct / 28 Jan / 28 Apr / 28 Jul) |
| Payday Super | From 1 Jul 2026 | Pay SG each payday (QE day); default fund receive within 7 business days; qualifying earnings base (not OTE alone) |
Payday Super (from 1 Jul 2026) — key ATO facts
Payday Super commenced 1 July 2026. For earnings paid from that date the quarterly 28-day dates no longer apply — each payday has its own deadline. Praxi's quarterly super figures are a liability estimate for your records, not an ATO deadline; use your payroll or clearing-house software to meet the 7 business day receive rule.
| Topic | From 1 Jul 2026 (ATO) |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Fund must receive SG + allocation data within 7 business days after QE day; 20 business days for first contribution for a new employee or new fund |
| Earnings base | 12% of qualifying earnings (OTE + all commissions incl. outside ordinary hours + salary-sacrifice amounts that would be QE + expanded employees e.g. labour contractors). For most employers amount is unchanged vs OTE |
| STP | Report both qualifying earnings and super liability |
| SGC (late) | ATO-assessed (no employer SG statement); QE-based; GIC-style interest; administrative uplift; tax deductible (pre-Payday Super SGC was not) |
| SBSCH | Small Business Super Clearing House closed — use another payment path |
| SuperStream | Revised standards (near real-time payments, member verification); funds allocate/return in 3 business days (was 20) |
Official: About Payday Super · Payment deadlines · Qualifying earnings · Super for employers.
Praxi: date-aware SG estimates / quarterly reports
(SuperContributionsService, financial reports). Not SuperStream payment,
not a payroll bureau, and not Payday Super receive-tracking until a payday
product path ships. Contractors paid mainly for labour may still attract SG — do
not assume employmentType alone removes the obligation. Never market “we pay
super for you”.
payday-super-2026.ts (currency 2026-07-28; commencement re-verified
2026-08-10, all ATO source links HTTP 200). Sibling: STP/PAYG (stp-payg).
National: Single Touch Payroll + PAYG withholding
Employers must withhold PAYG from employee payments and report tax and super information to the ATO each pay through Single Touch Payroll (STP) enabled software. Most employers report under STP Phase 2.
| Topic | ATO position (high level) |
|---|---|
| Each pay | Report employee tax/super via STP-enabled payroll software |
| Phase 2 fields | Expanded employment/tax info (replaces paper TFN declarations for STP payees) |
| Super in STP | Before 30 Jun 2026: YTD super liability or OTE. From 1 Jul 2026: report both YTD super liability and YTD qualifying earnings when available |
| EOY | Finalisation declaration through STP by 14 July each year |
| PAYG payment | Withhold correctly; pay/report by withholder cycle (small/medium activity statement; large withholders short electronic cycle) |
| Tax tables | All withholding schedules updated from 1 Jul 2026 (15% band cost-of-living cuts for 2026–27) |
Official: Single Touch Payroll · PAYG withholding · Tax tables · EOY finalisation.
Praxi: calculates draft pay (including simplified PAYG estimates) and can push draft Xero Payroll runs. It does not lodge STP Phase 2 events or generate ABA bank files — finalise pay, STP, and bank payment in Xero (or another STP product). BAS W1/W2 helpers aggregate stored payroll amounts. Never market “we do your Single Touch Payroll”.
Currency reviewed: 2026-07-28 (against Praxi compliance guidance and primary sources). Siblings: super / Payday Super / GST–BAS.
National: Card payments / surcharging (Stripe · Tyro · Square)
Practices that accept cards for tenant → client fees (Stripe Connect, Tyro, Square) sit under ACCC surcharge rules and RBA payments-system standards.
| Period | Rule (high level) |
|---|---|
| Until 30 Sep 2026 | Surcharge ≤ cost of acceptance for that method (ACCC); card-only “processing fees” still count as surcharges |
| From 1 Oct 2026 | Visa / Mastercard / eftpos no-surcharge rules (RBA PSB Mar 2026) — do not pass through card costs as a separate surcharge on those networks |
Not 1 July 2026 — that date was product drift and has been corrected.
Praxi: no surcharge config UI; payment processing hard-zeros surcharges from 1 Oct 2026; PCI via Stripe tokens only (never raw PAN). Org-level Connect is ADR-031. Never market “ACCC/RBA certified payments”.
(currency 2026-07-28). Sibling: acl-pricing-claims.
National: Australian Consumer Law (pricing & claims)
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL — Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) applies to Praxi’s own marketing and to practices using Praxi for commercial offers (gift cards, public prices, promotions). Clinical advertising of regulated health services is primarily AHPRA s 133 (see advertising SSOT); ACL still covers price and commercial quality claims.
| Theme | Practice / product note |
|---|---|
| Misleading conduct / false representations | No false savings, “certified”, or unsubstantiated outcome claims |
| Price displays / drip pricing | Headline price must not hide mandatory fees; disclose fee types early (public booking, portal pay) |
| GST | SaaS catalogue is ex. GST with 10% at AU checkout — keep labels consistent |
| Gift cards | Most cards: ≥ 3 years redeemability from supply; no post-purchase balance fees; clear expiry |
| Consumer guarantees | Services: due care and skill, fitness for purpose; cannot fully contract out |
Official: Price displays · False or misleading claims · Gift cards · Consumer guarantees.
Praxi: gift-voucher issue enforces 3-year minimum (GiftVoucherService /
GiftCardValidationService). SaaS seat prices: Essentials $59, Pro $119
ex. GST (subscription-tiers.ts — keep website/checkout aligned).
(currency 2026-07-28). Siblings: ahpra-advertising, stripe-au-payments.
National: Spam Act 2003 (email & SMS marketing)
The Spam Act 2003 (Cth), enforced by ACMA, regulates commercial electronic messages (email, SMS, IM with a commercial purpose).
| Section | Rule (high level) | Praxi |
|---|---|---|
| s 16 | Consent before marketing CEMs | Marketing consent gates on campaigns |
| s 17 | Identify the sender + contact details | Practice name / SMS Sender ID |
| s 18 | Functional unsubscribe (clear; free/ordinary cost; honour within 5 working days; facility ≥ 30 days) | Email List-Unsubscribe + body link; SMS STOP → suppression (immediate) |
Transactional messages (appointment reminders, invoices) are not treated as marketing campaigns but still use the shared dispatch/consent architecture. Do Not Call (telemarketing) is a separate Act — not covered here.
Official: ACMA — Avoid sending spam · Spam Act.
Reference: docs/compliance/spam-act-2003.md. SSOT: (currency 2026-07-28).
WWCC and NDIS worker screening
Two different clearances often both apply in allied-health / NDIS practices:
| Clearance | Purpose | Where Praxi helps |
|---|---|---|
| WWCC / Blue Card / Ochre / WWVP (state) | Child-related work under state law | Settings → Compliance → WWCC (/settings/compliance/wwcc): enforcement off/warn/block for bookings with minors; self-attestation or owner verification; state rule table (validity, AHPRA exemptions, verification portals) |
| NDIS Worker Screening Check | Risk-assessed roles for registered NDIS providers; up to 5 years | PBS practitioner screening capture + expiry reminder job (self-attested — Commission portal verification remains manual); EAP panel WWCC fields |
Official hubs:
- NDIS Commission — Worker screening
- Registered providers
- National WWCC reform (SCAG agreement Nov 2025 — mutual recognition of negative notices, continuous checking)
wwcc-state-rules.ts (currency 2026-07-28). Always verify against your state
screening unit before acting.
Victoria: Royal Commission into Family Violence (extract)
Australia’s first family-violence Royal Commission (completed 2015/16) made 227 recommendations. The Victorian Government announced implementation of the final recommendations on 28 January 2023.
| Official page | URL |
|---|---|
| About the Commission | vic.gov.au/about-royal-commission-family-violence |
| Recommendation tracker | vic.gov.au/family-violence-recommendations |
| Archive report | rcfv.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au |
| Rolling Action Plan 2025–27 | vic.gov.au/…2025-2027 |
Product implications (enablement — not RCFV certification) land in sibling instruments: MARAM (shared risk assessment), FVISS/CISS (information sharing), safe-contact mode, risk/safety documentation, mandatory reporting where child thresholds apply.
(currency 2026-07-28).
Victoria: MARAM family violence framework
The Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) is Victoria’s system-wide FV risk framework (Family Safety Victoria, 2018), with practice guides and resources. Four pillars: shared understanding; consistent collaborative practice; responsibilities for risk assessment and management; systems and continuous improvement. Origin: Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence reforms (see extract above).
Prescribed Framework organisations have formal alignment duties. Many
private allied-health practices are not prescribed — use MARAM-aligned
clinical practice without claiming Framework-organisation status. Information
sharing under FVISS / CISS is a related but separate scheme (see
FVISS and CISS below; product
flag FEATURE_VIC_FVISS gates the MARAM checklist only).
| Praxi enablement | Notes |
|---|---|
| MARAM alignment checklist (12 items) | FEATURE_VIC_FVISS — self-assessment for practice owners |
| Safe-contact communication mode | Restricts outbound channels for FV-affected clients |
| Risk assessment / safety planning | Clinical tools — not a full MARAM comprehensive suite |
| Mandatory report FV categories | Documents reporting decisions |
(currency 2026-07-28). Official PDF: Framework.
Victoria: FVISS and CISS information sharing
Victoria’s three interrelated reforms are MARAM, the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) (Family Violence Protection Act 2008 Part 5A), and the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) (Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 Part 6A). Only organisations prescribed as Information Sharing Entities (ISEs) may share under FVISS/CISS — see who can share and the ISE List search.
| Scheme | Purpose | Typical private psychology practice |
|---|---|---|
| FVISS | Share to assess/manage family violence risk | Usually not an ISE unless the org type is listed (e.g. staff inside a public health service) |
| CISS | Share to promote child wellbeing or safety | Same ISE gate; GPs / general practice nurses are prescribed for CISS+FVISS |
Product must not auto-share clinical PHI under FVISS/CISS or claim ISE status. Enablement today:
| Praxi enablement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Checklist item M05 (information sharing pathways) | Awareness under FEATURE_VIC_FVISS MARAM checklist |
| DFV jurisdiction seed | dfv-information-sharing.seed.ts — fixture/AI eval; Prisma model NC-005 still open |
| MARAM form fields | Document whether FVISS applied / sharing basis |
| Safe-contact, risk tools, mandatory reports | Adjacent safety — not statutory multi-agency dispatch |
(currency 2026-07-28). OVIC privacy notes: FVISS, CISS.
NSW: coercive control offence (s 54D)
From 1 July 2024, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them (Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 54D; inserted by the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022). Maximum penalty 7 years. The law applies to behaviour that happens after 1 July 2024. NSW will review the legislation from 2026 (including possible expansion beyond intimate partners).
| Official page | URL |
|---|---|
| Hub | nsw.gov.au/…/coercive-control |
| The law | …/coercive-control/law |
| What is it | …/what-is-it |
| Get help | …/get-help |
| DCJ detail | dcj.nsw.gov.au … criminalising-coercive-control |
Product rules: not a psychologist-specific mandatory reporting duty for s 54D; do not auto-notify police. Use for risk-assessment documentation context. Child risk of significant harm still uses CYPCPA ss 23/27. Distinct from Vic FVISS/CISS and QLD Part 5A sharing.
(currency 2026-07-28). Seed row: dfv-information-sharing.seed.ts (NSW).
Support: 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.
Mandatory reporting
National frame (no single federal statute)
Child-protection mandatory reporting is state/territory law. There is no Commonwealth Act that makes all registered health practitioners mandatory reporters of child abuse nationwide. Reporter lists, thresholds, and contact channels must not be nationalised in product copy.
| Principle | Product implication |
|---|---|
| State/territory statutes only | Resolve to the correct jurisdiction playbook |
| Reporter lists vary (e.g. QLD psychologists not on s 13E; WA psychs for CSA from 1 May 2024; NT universal) | Profession + state both matter |
| Telehealth | Prefer patient state for mandatory_reporting purpose |
| Enablement | Surface statute / body / phone / form; do not auto-file |
| Distinct from Ahpra MN | Child-protection reports ≠ National Law mandatory notifications |
(currency 2026-07-28). Secondary comparison resource (not statute): AIFS mandatory reporting resource sheet. National child-safety policy context: National Office for Child Safety.
Per-jurisdiction playbooks
Seed (8 jurisdictions):
apps/api/prisma/seeds/jurisdiction/mandatory-reporting-playbooks.seed.ts.
Surfaced in-product at /risk-safety/mandatory-reports and Compliance Hub. Deep
state re-verification: /update jurisdiction + ledger
state-mandatory-reporting-playbooks.
- Victoria — CYFA s 184
- New South Wales — CYPCPA s 23, s 27
- Queensland — CPA 1999 s 13E (psychologists not mandatory reporters under s 13E)
- Western Australia — CCSA s 124B (psychologists: child sexual abuse limb from 1 May 2024)
- South Australia — CYPSA s 30
- Tasmania — CYPTFA s 14
- Northern Territory — CPCA s 26 (universal reporter model)
- ACT — CYPA s 356
Complaints regulators
Each state's primary health-complaints regulator (AHPRA is the national co-regulator everywhere).
- Victoria — HCC
- NSW — HCCC
- Queensland — OHO
- Western Australia — HaDSCO
- South Australia — HCSCC
- Tasmania — HCC
- Northern Territory — HCSCC
- ACT — HRC Health Services
Sexual-assault counselling privilege
State Evidence Act provisions governing privilege over counselling records in sexual offence matters.
- Victoria — Evidence (Misc) Act 1958 Div 2A
- NSW — Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Pt 5 Div 2
- Queensland — Evidence Act 1977 Pt 2 Div 2A
- Western Australia — Evidence Act 1906 Pt VA
- South Australia — Evidence Act 1929 s 67D
- Tasmania — Evidence Act 2001 Pt 3.10 Div 1A
- Northern Territory — Evidence Act 1939 s 56C
- ACT — Evidence (Misc) Act 1991 Pt 4 Div 4.4
Coroner notification
Per-state reportable-death criteria + contact channels.
- Victoria — Coroners Act 2008 s 4
- NSW — Coroners Act 2009 s 6
- Queensland — Coroners Act 2003 s 8
- Western Australia — Coroners Act 1996 s 3
- South Australia — Coroners Act 2003 s 3
- Tasmania — Coroners Act 1995 s 3
- Northern Territory — Coroners Act 1993 s 12
- ACT — Coroners Act 1997 s 13
Payroll tax (contractor structures)
For contractor-model practices, state-specific payroll tax exposure varies by profession + ruling. Informational only — Praxi never gives tax advice.
Canonical medical-centre contractor instrument is PTA-041 / PTA041 (“Relevant contracts – medical centres”). PTA-038 / PTA038 is the general employee-determination ruling — do not conflate the numbers.
| State | Primary instrument (product seed) | Official hub |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | PTA-041 medical centres (+ PTA-038 employee test) | SRO medical industry · PTA-041 |
| NSW | PTA041 medical centres; GP bulk-billing rebate 80% metro / 70% regional from 4 Sep 2024 | Medical services · PTA041 · Bulk Billing Support |
| QLD | PTAQ000.6.5 medical centres (effective 1 Dec 2024); standing GP exemption incl. mental health levy | PTAQ000.6.5 |
| SA | PTA041 medical centres (issued 22 Nov 2023, harmonised with VIC/NSW; allied health in scope) | Medical industry |
| WA | Not harmonised — no relevant-contract provisions; common-law employment test only | Contractor payments guide |
| Others | Monitor general relevant-contract tests | State revenue sites |
Help article: Victoria payroll tax. Product SSOT:
(currency 2026-07-28). Seed:
apps/api/prisma/seeds/jurisdiction/payroll-tax-advisories.seed.ts.
Where this surfaces in Praxi
| Surface | What practitioners see |
|---|---|
Compliance Dashboard (/settings/compliance) | Jurisdiction header + per-topic cards with last-verified timestamps |
Subpoena detail (/subpoenas/[id]) | State-court rules sidebar + privilege regime |
Mandatory reports (/risk-safety/mandatory-reports) | Statute reference + reporting body + 24/7 phone |
| Client deceased trigger | Auto-surfaced coronial-notification checklist |
| AHPRA complaints routing | Primary state regulator + AHPRA national co-regulator |
| Compliance Dashboard payroll tax card | State-specific contractor-rule advisory |
Update cadence
Praxi reviews this content quarterly and following any statute amendments (e.g. NSW CPA Pt 5 changes). Each article tracks a last-verified date — Praxi surfaces a warning when content is approaching 90 days old and flags it as requiring review at 180 days.