Need to comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines?
Join the CREDIBLE COMPLIANT COPY COURSE
Learn what the guidelines mean so you can stay on the right side of the law and market your practice with confidence
Master AHPRA advertising guidelines for good
Wish you understood what AHPRA advertising guidelines mean?
Sick of worrying whether your copy might get you into trouble?
Want to advertise your practice with confidence?
Yes? You need the Credible Compliant Copy Course.
Australia’s favourite online course that clearly explains AHPRA advertising guidelines so you can market your practice without risking a fine…or worse.
ON-DEMAND
EASY TO UNDERSTAND
7 MODULES
SELF-PACED
You could pay up to $120,000 for one AHPRA fine, or you can learn what the advertising guidelines mean for a fraction of the cost.
AHPRA compliance is a pain in the butt, right?
It doesn’t have to be
I get it.
Complying with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) advertising guidelines can be hard — especially if you don’t fully understand them.
But you need to know what they mean because you are responsible for any non-compliant advertising.
If you don’t you’re putting your practice at risk.
Non-compliant advertising can lead to fines of up to $120,000, restriction of your practice, or even jail time.
But you don’t have to risk your practice or lose sleep worrying if your marketing will get you into trouble.
This seven-module, self-paced course will help you clearly understand what AHPRA advertising guidelines mean so you can stay on the right side of the law.
Are you ready to market your practice confidently and sleep well at night?
Highlight your expertise and attract more patients
I know you’re probably confused about how to promote your health practice and comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines.
So you’re playing it safe in your marketing by writing boring, bland copy that won’t get you into trouble.
The problem is, it doesn’t highlight your skills and experience as a health practitioner, or help you stand out from your competitors.
And it’s not helping attract more patients to your practice.
But when you understand the common marketing strategies that can get you into trouble and what to say instead, you’ll be able to showcase your expertise as a trusted practitioner and attract more patients to your practice, without the confusion or the risk.
If you advertise a regulated health practice, it’s your responsibility to understand the AHPRA advertising guidelines.
Meet your trainer, Nerissa Bentley
A lot of copywriters and marketers say they understand AHPRA advertising guidelines, but I actually do.
I’m an award-winning health and medical writer and the creator of The AHPRA Compliance Hub.
I’m also an experienced presenter, having spoken at conferences, run online and in-person training and been featured on several podcasts.
I have over 30 years of professional writing experience, with more than 15 of them focusing on writing health and medical content. I have worked with some of Australia’s largest health and medical organisations, including Ovarian Cancer Australia, TerryWhite Chemmart, Medibank, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
I’ve also helped many health practitioners comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines, either by writing or auditing their copy to ensure they tick all the compliance boxes.
As for my “official qualifications”, I have a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism, Communication Studies, Australian Literature) and a Certificate IV in Magazine Writing, Editing and Publishing.
I just don’t talk about AHPRA advertising guidelines, I know them inside out and back to front.
And paired with my writing skills, I can show you how to create engaging and compliant content.
Who is it for?
The Credible Compliant Copy Course is for:
• Australian Health Practitioners regulated by AHPRA
• Owners and Practice Managers of an AHPRA-regulated health practice
• Anyone who creates content for a regulated health practice.
It’s for:
Dentists
Psychologists
Business Owners
Doctors
Nurses
Practice Managers
Optometrists
Pharmacists
Copywriters
Allied Health Practitioners
Chinese Medicine Practitioners
Marketing Agencies
Who is it not for?
This course is not for health practitioners who have a firm understanding of AHPRA advertising guidelines. It’s also not for practitioners who don’t have time to invest in this course, or who are looking for a ‘quick-fix’.
Work at your own pace
I know that running a health practice and treating patients keeps you busy, and you’re probably thinking “How will I find the time to do this course?”
No need to stress. While it’s a seven-module course, it’s self-paced which means if work or life gets in the way, you’re covered because you get one year’s access to the course.
That’s right! You can access the content for a full 12 months to re-watch videos, review content, and access the downloads.
But, with fines as high as $120,000 for one offence, can you afford NOT to find the time?
What’s included
47 training videos
17 worksheets, checklists and downloads
22 helpful links and tools
Special bonuses and goodies
💙 7-module Credible Compliant Copy Course that clearly explains AHPRA advertising guidelines
💙 Downloads, checklists, tools and resources to help you comply with the guidelines
💙 Action steps to help ensure your advertising is compliant
💙 Complete glossary covering every term and acronym
💙 Quiz in each module to consolidate learning
💙 Final quiz at the end of the course
💙 One year’s access to the course
💙 Other bonuses and goodies
Course content
MODULE 1
AHPRA advertising basics
Understand what the guidelines are, who they apply to & what they mean
MODULE 2
Advertise with integrity
How to avoid making misleading & deceptive claims
MODULE 3
Get your words right
Learn the rules for titles, specialisation, and how to avoid problematic words
MODULE 4
Show your crediblity
Understand what acceptable evidence is and when you need it
MODULE 5
Transform your claims
How to use acceptable evidence to turn non-compliant claims into compliant copy
MODULE 7
Crafting compliant content
Produce AHPRA-compliant content that will help you stand out from the rest
MODULE 6
Master patient testimonials
Avoid the testimonial traps and get patient reviews you can publish
You’ll learn
❤️ Who needs to comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines
❤️ Advertising that can get you into trouble and what the penalties are
❤️ What titles you can (and can’t) use in your advertising
❤️ What misleading and deceptive advertising is, and how to avoid it
❤️ Common words that lead to non-compliant copy and what to use instead
❤️ What acceptable evidence is and how to find it
❤️ How to back up your health claims using acceptable evidence
❤️ The simple test to know if you can publish a patient testimonial
❤️ How to get powerful patient reviews you CAN publish
❤️ What to do if you’re notified of non-compliant advertising
❤️ How to ensure your copywriter or marketer really understands the advertising guidelines
Done for you AHPRA Compliance
While this course will equip you to create your own AHPRA-compliant content, I have done a lot of the hard work for you. The Credible Compliant Copy Course comes with a collection of worksheets, checklists, downloads, tools and helpful links that will make it much easier for you to ensure your content complies with the advertising guidelines.
What is Advertising Infographic
Understand what AHPRA considers to be advertising.
List of AHPRA's Protected Titles
Avoid BIG fines by using the right titles.
Hierarchy of Evidence Infographic
Know what studies you can use to back up health claims.
Customisable Patient Review Template
Get patient reviews you CAN publish!
How Do I Advertise Checklist
Know what needs to comply with the guidelines.
Words to be Wary of Checklist
Use the right words to write AHPRA-compliant copy.
Acceptable Evidence Checklist
A checklist to help you find acceptable evidence.
Credible Compliant Copy Checklist
A simple checklist to use before pressing “publish”.
Writing and Copy Tips Checklist
Simple writing and copy tips to help you create content.
Misleading & Deceptive Advertising Checklist
The mistakes you need to avoid in your advertising.
Cosmetic Surgery Banned Words List
Words you can’t use when advertising cosmetic surgery.
Supporting my Health Claims Checklist
Know what type of claims you need to support with evidence.
12 Steps to Creating Compliant Content
A step-by-step guide to creating compliant content.
Outsourcing Your Content Checklist
How to know who to hire to create AHPRA-compliant content.
Before and After Photos Checklist
Make sure your before and after pics are compliant.
Cosmetic Procedure Banned Words
Banned words for advertising cosmetic procedures.
The Testimonial Test Tool
The easy way to know if you can publish a patient review.
Tone and Formatting Guidelines
How to develop your practice’s brand and writing style.
How does the course work?
This is an online course that you can take any time.
The course includes 7 content modules, plus an Introductory Module and a Graduation Module at the end of the course.
Once you buy the course, you can access all course material through the member’s area of The Melbourne Health Writer website.
At the end of the course, you can also take a Final Quiz to check if there are any learning areas you may need to revisit.
All you need is a stable internet connection, a willingness to learn and around 1-2 hours a week.
You have 12 months’ access to the course, so you can take your time and revisit modules whenever you need to.
Not just for health practitioners
This course is also suitable for practice managers and owners of a regulated health service who:
• need to comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines
• are unsure what the advertising guidelines really mean for their practice
• are responsible for marketing a regulated health service.
It’s also suitable for anyone who creates content for a regulated health service, such as:
• Copywriters
• Digital agencies
• Marketing professionals
• Social media managers
• Virtual Assistants
• OBMs
“Nerissa knows all there is to know about AHPRA compliance.”
Lisa Cropman, Copywriter, The Word Nest
Why I know so much about AHPRA advertising
Once upon a time, I didn’t even know what AHPRA was, let alone what their advertising guidelines said. But as I began to work with health practitioners, I realised I needed to understand what the AHPRA advertising guidelines were and how they applied to my clients.
I spent hours and hours trawling through the information on AHPRA’s Advertising Hub to work out what I could and couldn’t write for my health practitioner clients. I learned about ‘acceptable evidence’, ‘false and misleading claims’, words you can and can’t use, the rules about patient testimonials, and what titles health practitioners are allowed to use.
I spent so much time immersed in those guidelines, that I became an expert on them.
Now I use my knowledge to help health practitioners like you comply with AHPRA’s advertising guidelines, so you can market your practice effectively and confidently, knowing your content is compliant.
Professional health writer accreditations
My professional writing qualifications
• BA (Journalism & Communication Studies) — University of Queensland
• Cert IV Magazine Writing, Editing and Publishing — RMIT University
I’m also continually honing my skills to bring the best in health and medical copywriting and digital marketing.
As featured in
Who I’ve helped
Testimonials
Wondering what others say about me?
“Nerissa has a great understanding of AHPRA regulations and is extremely thorough in the way that she reviews content.”
Simon Nawrocki, Director/Osteopath, Focus Osteopathy
“Nerissa’s wealth of knowledge in creating compliant health content is evident.”
Dominic Buchta, Learning and Development Officer, Osteopathy Australia.
“When it comes to Health and Medical copywriting, really there are very few people I trust. Nerissa Bentley is one of them. Knowledgeable, fastidious, detail oriented, compliant. Nerissa knows the what’s and what nots of medical copywriting which is vital for health businesses.”
Kate Toon, Digital Marketing Coach
“I would definitely recommend Nerissa to anyone who needs an AHPRA compliance specialist.”
Julie Watts, Director Design Development and Digital Operations, Vortala
“Nerissa is clearly very experienced and has a depth of knowledge she shares in an engaging and professional manner.”
David Peterson, Principal Consultant, Blood, Organ & Tissue Programs, SA Department for Health and Wellbeing
“Nerissa knows all there is to know about AHPRA compliance. The confidence I gained through her support and resources made all the difference. I can rest easy knowing that my client’s new website copy will promote his services with no AHPRA breaches to worry about.”
Lisa Cropman, Copywriter, The Word Nest
“Having Nerissa oversee our website, especially regarding AHPRA compliance was very reassuring, especially as the guidelines were a little tricky to navigate. It gave us the confidence our site was compliant.”
Katie Watts, Practice Manager, Sandhurst Plastic Surgery & Dermatology
“I followed Nerissa’s advice and corrected my non-compliant web issues. Now everything is compliant and AHPRA has closed the matter. I’m so thankful that I found her.”
Hyun Jim Kim (Steven), Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist, Bo Wha Oriental Clinic
“Exactly what I needed! Excellent knowledge regarding AHPRA rules and regulations which was conveyed in a way that made sense and directed with ease. I found it really helpful and eye-opening.”
Denis Riabov, Director, Physio Den
“Nerissa really shone when talking about AHPRA requirements as we know this can be a real minefield. But she made it seem straightforward and manageable.”
Belinda Weaver, Owner, Copywrite Matters
Avoid AHPRA fines and gain peace of mind
Being fined for non-compliant advertising can be costly. Currently, one fine can be as high as $120,000!
And then there’s the stress of being notified by AHPRA and the time involved in fixing up your copy to comply with the rules.
Time and money you could better spend elsewhere.
Can you really afford NOT to take AHPRA compliance seriously?
The Credible Compliant Copy Course gives you:
- 40+ training videos (valued at $2,820)
- 17 worksheets, checklists and downloads (valued at $1,275)
- Module-specific action tips to ensure your website and other content is AHPRA-compliant (valued at $1,750)
- The ability to do a compliance audit of your own website (valued at $397)
- The ability to choose the right provider to outsource your content creation to (valued at $495)
- One year’s access to the course (Hard to put a price on it!)
- The knowledge, skills and peace of mind to confidently market your practice without risking a fine…or worse (PRICELESS!)
That’s a total value of $6,737
(The good news, is this course costs only a fraction of that)
“Course suitable for regulated health practitioners and copywriters.”
Nerissa is a fantastic presenter and course facilitator.
She has designed a course that can be done in bite-sized chunks for the time-poor among us! That said, the content is thorough and insightful.
I’d highly recommend this course to regulated health practitioners, practice managers, health advertising agencies, and freelance copywriters. The course material caters for each of these groups.
“Practical, well-structured with clear insights and actionable plans.”
This course provided our clinic with valuable insights into advertising laws and compliance.
It’s practical, well-structured and provides clear insights and actionable plans that helped us understand key regulations, avoid common pitfalls and market our practice with more confidence.
I highly recommend this course for any clinic owners or practice managers posting on social media or marketing for their clinic.
“I finished the course with greater confidence to write ethical, effective and AHPRA-compliant copy.”
Nerissa is an engaging presenter – generous with her knowledge and deeply experienced.
She makes comple compliance requirements clear and practical, while showing how to balance credibility with compelling communication..
The course is highly practical, carefully designed and rich in clear, actionable guidance. Highly recommend.
Results
An essential and affordable investment
I know what you’re thinking.
How much will this cost?
Can I afford to spend time on this course?
But let me ask you a question.
How much will it cost you if your advertising doesn’t comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines?
Currently, fines can be anywhere from $5,000 – $120,000 per offence. That means if you have 5 non-compliant issues that cost $5,000 each, you’re up for $25,000 in fines.
If you have 3 non-compliant issues that attract a fine of $120,000 each — well, that’s a lot of money. Money which I’m sure you’d rather spend on other things.
Are you willing to take that risk?
Taking the time to fully understand what the AHPRA advertising guidelines mean will help you market your practice confidently without the risk of being hit with a large fine (no crossed fingers required).
Your investment
Prices are GST-inclusive
ONE SMALL PAYMENT
Full 7-module course
47 training videos
17 worksheets, checklists and downloads
22 helpful links and tools
Complete glossary covering every term and acronym
Action steps to help you comply with the guidelines
Module-specific quizzes to test your knowledge
Final quiz at the end of the course
Certification and badge upon course completion
One year’s access to the course
Plus other goodies and bonuses
Ready to get your head around AHPRA advertising guidelines?
If you’re wondering if now is the right time to learn what AHPRA advertising guidelines mean for your practice, let me ask you a question? If not now, when?
The sooner you understand AHPRA advertising compliance, the sooner you can stop stressing and start marketing your practice confidently.
And the investment is just a fraction of what you could pay, if you’re found guilty of breaching the guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question?
How does the course work?
The course includes 7 modules of content plus an Introductory module and a bonus Graduation module at the end of the course. You can access the content by logging into the password-protected member area. Each module contains:
- Several training videos
- Worksheets, checklists and other downloads
- Suggested action steps
- A mini quiz to test your learning
- Optional material you can complete, if you have the time
When can I do the course?
This course is open all year round. So you can jump in anytime and get started.
How long is the course?
The Credible Compliant Copy Course is open all year round. You can join any time, and you’ll have 12 months to complete the course.
Can I do the course at my own pace?
Yes. The course is open all year round, and you have 12 months’ access to the course and all materials.
You can do the course all in one go, take your time, or dip in and out, as you need. You get to decide when and how you complete the course.
How many hours per week should I set aside for this course?
I know you’re strapped for time which is why I’ve broken this course into chunks.
Ideally, you should allow around 2 hours per week to watch the training videos, work through your action steps and take the weekly quizzes.
Putting what you learn into practice will involve extra time and depend on how much work you need to do. But remember, you can do this at your own pace.
What tech do I need to do this course?
All course material is delivered through a website. If you have internet access, you can do this course.
Who runs the course?
I’m also an experienced presenter, having spoken at conferences, run online and in-person training and have been featured on several podcasts.
I’ve worked with leading health organisations such as Ovarian Cancer Australia, TerryWhite Chemmart, and Bupa, and helped many health practitioners comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines either by writing or auditing their copy to ensure they tick all the compliance boxes.
I just don’t talk about AHPRA advertising guidelines, I know them inside out and back to front.
I’m not a health practitioner. Can I still do the course?
Yes. This course is also suitable for copywriters, marketers and digital agencies who create copy for AHPRA-regulated health practitioners.
Can I email / call / message you with my questions during the course?
No. This is an unsupported course. However, if you do have questions and need further help, you can book a 1-on-1 coaching session with me.
Who should take the Credible Compliant Copy Course?
This course is suitable for anyone who advertises an AHPRA-regulated health service, such as:
- individual health practitioners
- practice managers
- owners of a regulated health service
It is also suitable for anyone who creates content for a regulated health service, such as:
- Copywriters
- Digital agencies
- Marketing professionals
- Social media managers
- Virtual Assistants
- OBMs
What if I don't like the course?
If you’ve worked through the course and haven’t gained any value or don’t think it’s suitable for you, please get in touch with me directly so we can discuss your concerns.
How do I access the course?
As soon as you’ve paid the course registration fee, via PayPal or Stripe, you’ll be asked to register.
When your registration is complete, you can log into our membership portal.
You will be able to access all course material once you’ve logged in.
How can I pay for the course?
Payment for the Credible Compliant Copy Course can be made via Paypal or Stripe (Credit card).
How long can I access the course?
You will have 12 months’ access to all the course materials.
What if I don't finish the course in 12 months? Do I have to purchase it again?
Can I download your training videos so I can watch them again?
You are also prohibited from sharing these videos or any other course material with anyone else.
You have 12 months’ access to course content and can watch the training videos as many times as you like during that period, through your login portal.
How can I use the downloads, templates and other resources?
They may not be transmitted, redistributed, broadcast, repurposed, sold, modified, adapted, copied, edited, sub-licenced, shared, lent, transferred or commercially exploited in any way without express written permission.
Purchasing this course will be interpreted as understanding and agreeing to these conditions.
Will there be transcripts of the videos?
Can you guarantee that I won’t get a fine or other sanction from AHPRA for non-compliant content after doing this course?
What if more than one member of our team wants to do this course?
If you have more than 2 people from the same organisation who would like to take this course, please contact me directly.
I don't live in Australia. Can I still do the course?
You can, but I don’t recommend it.
This course deals specifically with Australian-based legislation. As laws are different in each country, this course may not suit your needs if you live in another country.
What are the terms and conditions?
If you would like to know the terms and conditions that apply to your purchase, especially regarding your rights and responsibilities, you can review those here.
Finally stop worrying about your advertising
Imagine not worrying your practice advertising will lead to a hefty fine (or worse).
The fine print
Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this course is in line with relevant legislation and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) advertising guidelines.
Nerissa Bentley, The Melbourne Health Writer, is not a legal professional and therefore will not be held responsible for any non-compliant advertising that may result in an audit, fine or other sanction, as a result of following the information in this course.
If you are unsure if your advertising complies with the National Law, you should seek advice from your professional association, insurer and/or independent legal adviser.
All course materials, including training videos, checklists, worksheets, downloads and other resources are subject to copyright and are the property of The Melbourne Health Writer.
They may be used for the purposes of this course, but may not be copied, edited, repurposed, shared, transmitted or broadcast in any way without express written permission. They may also not be commercially exploited, re-sold, or sub-licenced.
By purchasing this course, you agree to the above, along with our terms and conditions.
Your investment
Prices are GST-inclusive.
ONE SMALL PAYMENT
Full 7-module course
47 training videos
17 worksheets, checklists and downloads
22 helpful links and tools
Complete glossary covering every term and acronym
Action steps to help you comply with the guidelines
Module-specific quizzes to test your knowledge
Final quiz at the end of the course
Certification and badge upon course completion
One year’s access to the course
Plus other goodies and bonuses