Outcome of consultation on practising certificate fee and disciplinary levy for 2020/2021
Thank you for considering the Medical Council of New Zealand’s (Council) recent consultation on the proposed increases to the 2020/2021 practising certificate (PC) Fee and disciplinary levy, and to the many individuals and organisations who made submissions.
After careful consideration of the feedback, Council resolved the following increases:
- PC fee increase of $28.57 to $599.96 (GST exclusive).
- Disciplinary levy increase of $13.89 to $168.25 (GST exclusive).
This represents a total annual increase of $42.46 (GST exclusive), or 5.85%.
The 2020/2021 fees were published in the New Zealand Gazette on 31 July 2020 and take effect from 1 September 2020.
Council received eighty written submissions from practitioners and organisations. These submissions were reviewed by all Council members prior to considering its decision at an extraordinary meeting held on 21 July 2020.
Council decided to proceed with a fee increase but at a reduced level than originally proposed. The reduction in the fee increase was enabled by additional cost savings identified after consultation began. The Council remains committed to operating in a cost effective manner and several of these cost-saving initiatives are outlined in this letter.
Council is very mindful of the impact to the profession and stakeholders in these unprecedented and challenging times, with significant disruptions from COVID-19. Ultimately it considers these fee increases are necessary to ensure financial sustainability. The Council receives no government funding, cannot borrow or go into debt, and manages its operations on a full cost recovery basis.
On behalf of the Council I would like to take this opportunity to thank those individuals and organisations who took the time to read and respond to the consultation. Our Council is absolutely committed to ensuring we are delivering efficient and effective regulation of the medical profession. I am pleased we have been able to find additional savings through this consultation process.
Nāku noa nā,
Dr Curtis Walker
Chairperson
Medical Council of New Zealand
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This document outlines Council's decision around the Practising Certificate Fee and Disciplinary Levy for 2020/2021 and the reasons for this decision.