Unregistered psychologist convicted and fined by court

14 Jun 2016

A South Australian man has received a $7,500 fine and a criminal conviction for knowingly and recklessly using the title “psychologist” in breach of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

Mr Pierre Allauch’s registration as a psychologist lapsed in 2011 and he has not been registered since that time.

In January 2016, Mr Allauch was charged with one count of contravening section 113 of the National Law. Specifically, Mr Allauch was found to have used the title ‘psychologist’ between 21 January 2014 and 28 February 2014.

At a hearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 9 June 2016, Magistrate Foley recorded a conviction and fined Mr Allauch $7,500, plus legal and Court costs.

‘It is unacceptable for anyone to claim to be or act falsely as a psychologist,’ Chair of the Psychology Board of Australia (the Board), Professor Brin Grenyer said. ‘Registration requirements exist under the National Law to instil public confidence in the system and to protect the public.’

‘Registered health pracitioners are held to the Board’s national standards and are required to confirm that they understand and comply with their obligations as a registered health practitioner.’ AHPRA CEO Mr Martin Fletcher said.

‘This outcome demonstrates that anyone caught engaging in this type of conduct will face action, including potential criminal prosecution.’

The current registration status of all of Australia’s 637,000 registered health practitioners is published on the register of practitioners. If a person’s name does not appear on the register, they are not registered to practise in a regulated health profession in Australia.

Anyone with concerns about the registration status of a person working as a registered health practitioner should contact AHPRA immediately.

You can look up your practitioner on the online Register of practitioners, which lists Australia’s registered health practitioners and the details of their registration.

For more information

• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200
• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)

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