These reports shed light on the troubling practices of some dental clinics—ranging from aggressive sales tactics to improper clinical assessments—that have left vulnerable patients out of pocket, and in some cases, without the care they were promised.
In response, AHPRA has issued a public warning, highlighting the risks of inappropriate patient assessments and the growing scrutiny on practitioners exhibiting unusually high volumes of CRS-related report writing. This examination aims to prevent the exploitation of a system designed to support patients in genuine need of essential medical or dental care.
Patients are urged to be alert to several red flags:
CRS-related consultations conducted by telehealth instead of in-person physical examinations by the practitioner;
Upfront demands for full payment before treatment;
Recommendations for expensive procedures where more affordable, clinically suitable alternatives are available;
Lack of informed financial consent or transparency about ongoing costs;
Requests for patients to share their myGov login credentials—a clear breach of best practice.
These behaviours not only undermine patient safety and informed consent, but also erode public trust in healthcare providers.
Super for Health was established to bring accountability and objectivity to the CRS process. Unlike dental clinics or commercial operators, Super for Health does not provide treatment or tax advice, nor does it benefit from the outcome of the treatment. Its role is that of a neutral third-party facilitator, supporting patients and verifying both the medical necessity of treatment and the legitimacy of the provider.
With first-hand experience in clinical practice and deep familiarity with the CRS process, Super for Health offers a level of oversight that protects both patients and practitioners from exposure to poor practice or regulatory risk.
Super for Health's process is deliberately designed to avoid the known red flags:
Patients are supported through their CRS application, including managing telehealth or in-person appointments with their regular GP—not the treating practitioner.
Practitioners are reminded of the importance of clinical notes that clearly outline treatment rationale in alignment with CRS eligibility.
At no point does Super for Health access a patient’s myGov account; instead, patients are guided through the upload process themselves, as per ATO guidelines.
One of the most frequent concerns raised by patients is whether they should pay a lump sum to their dental provider upfront. Super for Health advises patients to seek a written outline of payment terms directly from their practitioner—ensuring clarity, fairness, and accountability.
Industry standards suggest a staggered payment structure for complex treatment plans, such as:
50% deposit at commencement;
Remaining balance paid at treatment completion or agreed clinical milestones.
his structure safeguards both parties—ensuring that patients retain financial control and practitioners are incentivised to complete care to a high standard.
By encouraging patients to request written payment terms and ask informed questions, SFH provides more than administrative support. It acts as a protective layer, mitigating the risk of malpractice and misuse of funds—issues that have been tragically highlighted in recent reports of patients left with unfinished or substandard care after paying large, unsecured lump sums.
In contrast to commercial operators, Super for Health's guidance is grounded in ethical practice and patient protection. As an independent facilitator with no financial interest in the treatment itself, SFH remains unbiased in its role—focused solely on ensuring integrity in the use of early-access superannuation for medical and dental care.
Ultimately, Super for Health's work is not just procedural—it is protective. By equipping patients to ask the right questions and understand the terms of their care, Super for Health is helping to build a healthcare environment that values transparency, accountability, and ethical treatment delivery.
If you have any questions about Compassionate Release, please contact our team.