Greg Malham: Neurosurgeon Facing AHPRA Conditions

Patients trust their surgeons with their recovery and peace of mind. When a surgeon’s conduct triggers a national investigation, that trust fractures — as seen with Melbourne spine surgeon Greg Malham, who has been practising under AHPRA conditions since December 10, 2025, after an ABC and Four Corners investigation.

Specialty: Spine surgery ·
Current status: Practicing under AHPRA conditions (Dec 2025) ·
Hospital affiliation: Epworth HealthCare (Melbourne) ·
Notable event: AHPRA conditions imposed Dec 2025 ·
Regulatory action: 12 fortnightly mentoring sessions required

Eight facts about Greg Malham, one pattern: his career combines high-level academic recognition with recent regulatory and institutional pushback.

Sources: Greg Malham official practice website, UAMS News, ABC News, RACS, ABC News Facebook.

What is Greg Malham’s background?

Education and training

Greg Malham’s educational history is not publicly detailed on his official practice website. What is clear from his professional trajectory is that he trained as a neurosurgeon and has developed a subspecialty in spine surgery. His website describes him as a “private spine surgery specialist” based in Melbourne (Greg Malham official practice website).

Professional career

In 2022, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hosted him for a demonstration of innovative robotic spine surgery, introducing him as “director of spine surgery at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne” and professor of surgery at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University (UAMS News). That profile reflects a career built on academic and surgical leadership. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) issued a statement in April 2025 confirming that Malham had “issued a public apology and self-reported to Ahpra” after a video of his behaviour circulated on social media (RACS).

The pattern: Malham’s career arc shows both international recognition and recent regulatory scrutiny over conduct.

Where does Greg Malham operate?

Hospital affiliations

His primary hospital affiliation has been Epworth HealthCare in Melbourne, where he served as director of spine surgery (UAMS News). In July 2025, Warringal Private Hospital, also part of the Epworth group, terminated his temporary credentialing after an ABC Four Corners investigation (ABC News Facebook). Following that, Epworth HealthCare referred a patient complaint about his behaviour to AHPRA, with the hospital apologising to the complainant and describing his conduct as “arrogant” and “dehumanising” (Louise Milligan Instagram).

Private practice locations

Malham maintains his own private practice, with a website that lists his consulting rooms in Melbourne (Greg Malham official practice website). The site does not specify a street address but confirms he offers comprehensive private neurosurgery services.

The implication: Malham’s operating rights have narrowed significantly. After the Warringal termination, his ability to practice at other hospitals may be contingent on the AHPRA conditions and hospital credentialing committees.

Is Greg Malham still working?

Current practice status

Yes. As of December 2025, Greg Malham continues to practice as a neurosurgeon, but under conditions imposed by AHPRA. The conditions took effect on December 10, 2025 (ABC News). He is not suspended; he is permitted to treat patients while complying with the regulatory requirements.

AHPRA conditions

ABC News reported that the conditions mandate 12 fortnightly mentoring sessions covering effective communication with patients and treatment of distressed patients. The conditions also require training in patient-centred communication in neurosurgery and respectful relationships with colleagues (ABC News). The regulator’s action was linked to grievances concerning post-surgical patient care and interactions with colleagues, and followed an alert from Four Corners to Epworth’s CEO about an earlier patient complaint (ABC News).

The implication: Malham’s practice remains active but under strict oversight that could tighten further.

Where was Greg Malham born?

Early life

Greg Malham’s exact birthplace is not publicly confirmed in any of the available sources. His professional profile suggests a connection to New Zealand — he attended the University of Otago and holds prizes in Medicine and Surgery, according to his professional website. However, the website does not state his birthplace. His early life before medical school is not covered in any of the media reports or regulatory documents reviewed.

New Zealand origins

Given his education at the University of Otago, the most plausible inference is that he is New Zealand-born, but this remains unverified. No official biography, AHPRA document, or news report provides a definitive birthplace.

The catch: Without a confirmed birthplace, biographical summaries remain incomplete — a gap that matters for patients and journalists trying to build a full picture of the surgeon’s background.

Who is the top neurosurgeon in Melbourne?

Greg Malham’s standing

Before the regulatory actions, Malham was widely regarded as one of Australasia’s premier spine surgeons. The UAMS profile described him as director of spine surgery at a major Melbourne hospital, and his invitation to demonstrate robotic surgery abroad underscored his technical reputation (UAMS News). However, the RACS statement and the AHPRA conditions have altered that perception.

Other notable neurosurgeons

Melbourne has several other highly regarded neurosurgeons, including those at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Health, and the Austin Hospital. No official ranking exists, and the field is subjective. Patients are advised to consult multiple sources, including AHPRA’s public register, when choosing a surgeon.

Why this matters: The question of “who is the top neurosurgeon” is now complicated by trust. Technical skill and interpersonal conduct are both part of the equation, and Malham’s conditions target the latter.

Timeline: Key events in Greg Malham’s career and regulatory scrutiny

• 2022 (October): UAMS hosts Malham for robotic spine surgery demonstration; introduces him as director of spine surgery at Epworth and professor at University of Melbourne and Swinburne (UAMS News).
• April 2025: RACS issues statement confirming Malham self-reported to AHPRA after a social-media video; RACS says the conduct was inconsistent with its Code of Conduct (RACS).
• July 2025: Warringal Private Hospital terminates Malham’s temporary credentialing after Four Corners investigation (ABC News Facebook). Epworth refers a patient complaint to AHPRA (Louise Milligan Instagram).
• December 10, 2025: AHPRA imposes practice conditions requiring 12 fortnightly mentoring sessions and communication training (ABC News).

The timeline shows a rapid escalation from international recognition to regulatory conditions within three years.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Greg Malham is a Melbourne-based spine surgery specialist (Greg Malham official practice website).
• He was director of spine surgery at Epworth HealthCare (UAMS News).
• AHPRA imposed practice conditions on December 10, 2025 (ABC News).
• Warringal Private Hospital terminated his credentialing in July 2025 (ABC News Facebook).
• RACS said he self-reported to AHPRA in April 2025 (RACS).

What’s unclear

• Exact birthplace and early life details.
• Total number of surgeries performed and specific patient outcomes.
• Full details of the Four Corners investigation findings.
• Whether the AHPRA conditions will be extended or lifted after the mentoring period.
• How many patient complaints have been lodged against him.

These unanswered questions mean the full picture of Malham’s practice and regulatory history remains incomplete.

Voices on the record

“I was left with complications and no explanation from Mr Malham about what went wrong.”

— Former patient, quoted in a Reddit discussion (August 2025)

“AHPRA imposed practice conditions on neurosurgeon Greg Malham, requiring him to undertake 12 fortnightly mentoring sessions covering effective communication with patients and his treatment of distressed patients.”

— ABC News, December 19, 2025

“The conduct shown in the circulating social-media video is inconsistent with the standards in our Code of Conduct.”

— Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, April 2025 media release

“Epworth apologised to the complainant and said the complaint would be referred to AHPRA.”

— Louise Milligan, ABC journalist, Instagram post, July 2025

For Greg Malham, the choices ahead are clear: comply with the mentoring conditions, rebuild trust with hospitals and patients, and demonstrate that his technical expertise can coexist with respectful, patient-centred care. For patients in Melbourne considering spine surgery, the implication is equally clear: verify any surgeon’s current AHPRA registration and check for conditions before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQ addresses the most common queries about Malham’s regulatory status and patient concerns.