Few professional journeys in Australian medicine have taken as sharp a turn as that of neurosurgeon Greg Malham. In December 2025, Australia’s medical regulator imposed practice conditions on his registration following a Four Corners investigation, and he was terminated from a Melbourne private hospital.
Professional location: Melbourne, Australia ·
Specialty: Spine surgery (minimally invasive) ·
Recent event: AHPRA practice conditions imposed (December 2025) ·
Hospital affiliation: Terminated from a Melbourne private hospital (2025)
Quick snapshot
- AHPRA imposed practice conditions on Greg Malham in December 2025 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- He was terminated from Warringal Private Hospital after an ABC investigation (ABC News) (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- He was one of the most active surgeons at Epworth Hospital, Melbourne’s largest private hospital (ABC News) (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- RACS publicly expressed concern over his behaviour in a social media video (Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (peak surgical body))
- Exact text of AHPRA conditions (not publicly released in full)
- Current active practice status – whether he is still operating
- Full details of patient outcomes and complaints
- Specific nature of staff complaints beyond media reports
- July 2025 – Four Corners airs investigation; hospital termination follows (ABC News)
- December 2025 – AHPRA imposes practice conditions, effective Dec 10 (ABC News) (ABC News)
- Malham is required to complete 12 mentoring sessions focusing on communication (ABC News)
- Training on respectful relationships with colleagues mandated
- Patients should verify current registration via AHPRA’s public register
Six key facts at a glance, drawn from regulatory action and media investigation.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Greg Malham |
| Profession | Spinal Neurosurgeon |
| Specialty | Minimally invasive spine surgery |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Former Hospital Affiliation | Melbourne private hospital (terminated 2025) |
| Recent News Event | AHPRA practice conditions imposed December 2025 |
Where does Greg Malham practice?
Current practice location
Greg Malham is based in Melbourne, Australia. His practice has historically been at Epworth Hospital in Richmond, one of the city’s largest private healthcare facilities. According to ABC News (December 2025), he was “one of the most active surgeons” at Epworth before the controversy broke.
Greg Malham was a high‑volume surgeon at Melbourne’s biggest private hospital. Now his hospital privileges have been revoked and his registration carries conditions. The contrast between past volume and present restrictions is stark.
Hospital affiliations (past and present)
- Warringal Private Hospital, Heidelberg – terminated in July 2025 after a Four Corners investigation (ABC News)
- Epworth Hospital, Richmond – active until at least late 2025; complaints forwarded to AHPRA (ABC News)
Practice type: private vs public
Malham has worked exclusively in private practice. There is no record of him holding a public hospital appointment. The conditions imposed by AHPRA do not alter his registration type but do restrict how he may practise.
The implication: Malham’s career has been built entirely in the private sector, where credentialing decisions are made by individual hospitals. His termination from Warringal and the AHPRA conditions mean he cannot simply relocate to another private hospital without scrutiny.
What is Greg Malham’s background?
Education and training
Greg Malham is an Australian‑trained neurosurgeon. He completed his medical degree at the University of Melbourne and undertook specialist training in neurosurgery in Australia and overseas. His LinkedIn (self‑reported profile) lists fellowship training in spine surgery in North America. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has confirmed he is a Fellow of the College.
Professional experience
Before the recent events, Malham was regarded as one of Australasia’s premier spine surgeons. He published research on minimally invasive techniques and presented at international conferences. His profile on ResearchGate (academic network) lists several peer‑reviewed papers.
Areas of expertise
Malham’s specialty is minimally invasive spine surgery – procedures that use smaller incisions and cause less tissue damage than traditional open surgery. He has performed thousands of operations, including lumbar decompressions, spinal fusions, and disc replacements.
What this means: Malham’s expertise is real and documented. The controversy is not about clinical competence in the technical sense but about behaviour toward patients and staff.
Is Greg Malham still working?
Current practice status
As of December 2025, Greg Malham remains registered with AHPRA but subject to practice conditions effective December 10. According to ABC News, the conditions require him to complete 12 mentoring sessions on communication with patients and staff, and to undergo training on respectful workplace relationships.
AHPRA conditions impact
The conditions do not explicitly suspend his registration, but they may effectively restrict his surgical practice. Mentoring and training requirements can be completed while not seeing patients, but the conditions signal that AHPRA has concerns serious enough to intervene. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons said it was “deeply concerned” by the behaviour displayed in the video that triggered the investigation.
Patient access
Patients wishing to consult Malham should first check his current registration status on the AHPRA public register. The conditions mean he may not be able to offer the full range of services he previously provided. A review of online forums, including Reddit discussions (user‑generated content), suggests some patients have shared stories of poor outcomes and lack of communication.
A surgeon who was once the busiest at Melbourne’s largest private hospital now faces conditions that explicitly target his communication with distressed patients. For patients considering surgery, the implication is clear: prior volume does not guarantee current availability.
The pattern: AHPRA conditions are a regulatory tool used when there is an unacceptable risk to the public. Their existence indicates that the regulator judged Malham’s practice needed oversight. For patients, it means any consultation would be under a cloud of restricted practice.
Who is Australia’s best neurosurgeon?
Criteria for ‘best’
There is no official ranking of neurosurgeons in Australia. The term “best” is subjective and depends on criteria such as surgical outcomes, peer reputation, research output, and patient satisfaction. The Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons do not publish comparative ratings.
Greg Malham’s ranking in the field
Before 2025, Malham was widely considered a leading spine surgeon in Australasia. He was invited to speak at conferences and his ResearchGate profile shows citation of his work. However, the AHPRA conditions and the termination from Warringal Private Hospital have damaged his professional standing. The ABC investigation reported complaints from staff about sexist behaviour and from patients about poor aftercare.
Other notable neurosurgeons in Australia
Australia has many respected neurosurgeons, including but not limited to Prof. Michael Murphy (Melbourne), Prof. Andrew Kaye (Melbourne), and Prof. Jeffrey Rosenfeld (Melbourne). Patients seeking alternative providers should consult the RACS surgeon directory or the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia.
The trade‑off: Malham’s reputation as a technically skilled surgeon is now overshadowed by documented concerns about his behaviour. For patients, “best” must now include both technical skill and interpersonal conduct.
What are the recent developments regarding Greg Malham?
December 2025 AHPRA investigation
On December 10, 2025, AHPRA imposed practice conditions on Greg Malham’s medical registration. The conditions were reported by ABC News and include 12 mentoring sessions every two weeks focused on communication with distressed patients and postoperative discomfort, as well as training on patient‑centred communication and respectful relationships with colleagues. The conditions stemmed from a complaint forwarded from Epworth CEO Andrew Stripp.
Termination from private hospital
Earlier in 2025, Warringal Private Hospital in Heidelberg terminated Malham’s privileges. The decision followed a Four Corners investigation that aired in July 2025, revealing a video of Malham’s behaviour that was described as sexist and unprofessional. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons issued a statement expressing deep concern.
Patient complaints and Reddit discussion
Patients have shared accounts of poor surgical outcomes on Reddit, including allegations of complications such as paraplegia and severe pain without adequate explanation. The ABC reported that patient aftercare concerns were part of the complaint forwarded to AHPRA.
ABC News report
The ABC December 2025 report consolidated the timeline: the Four Corners investigation, the termination, the complaints to Epworth, and the AHPRA conditions. The report also noted that Malham had been “one of the most active surgeons” at Epworth.
The sequence – media investigation, hospital termination, regulatory conditions – shows how a single exposé can set off a cascade of accountability. For other surgeons, it’s a reminder that behaviour outside the operating room can have direct consequences on professional standing.
The AHPRA conditions represent a significant regulatory response to a cascade of events starting with the Four Corners investigation. Greg Malham’s career trajectory changed dramatically within months.
The implication: The AHPRA conditions are not a full suspension, but they represent a significant escalation from the initial hospital termination. The regulator’s involvement suggests that Malham’s ability to practise independently is now constrained.
Timeline
Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear
Confirmed facts
- AHPRA imposed practice conditions in December 2025 (ABC News)
- Malham terminated from Warringal Private Hospital (ABC News)
- He was formerly regarded as a premier spine surgeon in Australasia (ABC News)
- Patient and staff complaints exist (ABC journalist Instagram)
What’s unclear
- Exact wording of AHPRA conditions
- Whether Malham is currently operating on patients
- Full details of patient outcomes
- Whether any civil litigation is pending
Quotes: Perspectives on the controversy
“He didn’t explain why I had complications. I was left with severe pain and no answers.”
– Anonymous patient, quoted in Reddit discussion (patient forum)
“RACS is deeply concerned by the behaviour displayed by Professor Greg Malham in a video circulating on social media.”
– Royal Australasian College of Surgeons media release
“The conditions include 12 mentoring sessions focusing on communication with distressed patients and colleagues.”
– ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)
The voices above – a former patient, the peak surgical body, and the investigating media – each tell part of the same story: a surgeon whose technical reputation is now inseparable from documented failures in communication and conduct.
Summary
Greg Malham’s case shows that even a surgeon with a strong clinical reputation can face a rapid reversal when behaviour toward patients and staff crosses a line. For patients in Melbourne considering spine surgery, the choice is now between a surgeon with restricted practice and a growing list of alternatives with clean regulatory records. For the profession, the message from AHPRA and the hospital is that volume and skill do not insulate a surgeon from accountability.
Frequently asked questions
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
It uses smaller incisions and specialised instruments to treat spinal conditions, often resulting in less blood loss and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
How many spine surgeries has Greg Malham performed?
Exact numbers are not publicly available. He was described as one of the most active surgeons at Epworth Hospital, indicating a high volume of procedures.
Where did Greg Malham study?
He obtained his medical degree from the University of Melbourne and completed advanced neurosurgery training, including a fellowship in North America.
What is AHPRA?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national regulator for registered health practitioners in Australia. It investigates complaints and imposes conditions to protect public safety.
How to check a doctor’s registration in Australia?
Visit the AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au/registration and search by the practitioner’s name.
What are the risks of spine surgery?
Risks include infection, nerve damage, blood clots, failure of fusion, and complications from anaesthesia. Specific risks depend on the procedure and patient health.
Can I still book a consultation with Greg Malham?
It is unclear. His AHPRA conditions may restrict his practice. Patients should verify his current registration status before booking.
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Australia Watch.