The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism to guide its regulatory work, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism.
Adoption of IHRA Definition
In a joint statement with the federal government's special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, Ahpra announced on Wednesday that it would use the IHRA definition as a reference tool. The definition describes antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews" and includes illustrative examples that critics argue can conflate antisemitism with legitimate criticism of Israel.
Ahpra's chief executive, Justin Untersteiner, emphasized that antisemitism has no place in healthcare and that the agency is committed to eliminating it from the health system. The definition has been endorsed by the federal government and the antisemitism royal commission, which was launched after the Bondi terror attack last December.
Concerns from Advocacy Groups
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (Apan) warned that the adoption risks silencing healthcare workers who criticize Israel's human rights record. Apan stated that healthcare workers could face suspensions or bans due to "egregious and vexatious complaints" that suppress political expression about Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The group noted that since October 2023, healthcare workers have reported fear of professional consequences for speaking publicly about Gaza and Palestine.
Last year, Guardian Australia reported claims by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners that GPs had been subjected to frivolous or vexatious complaints to the health regulator over social media posts opposing Israel's war in Gaza.
Support from Jewish Bodies
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) welcomed Ahpra's move, calling the IHRA definition a "practical, internationally-recognised tool to identify and combat antisemitism." Special envoy Jillian Segal also commended the adoption, arguing that all levels of government and public institutions should use the definition to provide a unified framework for monitoring and responding to antisemitic incidents.
Broader Context
Reports of antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic incidents have risen in Australia since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The attacks killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, leading to Israel's military invasion of Gaza, where over 75,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed. An independent UN commission has labeled the war a genocide, a charge Israel rejects.
Ahpra is also reviewing its vexatious notifications framework to address concerns about the weaponization of the complaints process and is establishing an advisory panel of practitioners to strengthen safeguards.
