MELBOURNE — A counsellor has been convicted and fined after Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) prosecuted him for breaching a prohibition order that barred him from providing health services, with a magistrate stressing the need to deter similar conduct.
On Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Frankston Magistrates Court, Magistrate Starvaggi convicted John Belieu, imposed a $6,000 fine, and ordered him to pay $8,000 in costs to the HCC. The court heard Belieu continued offering general health services despite a Prohibition Order issued on Aug. 22, 2022, that banned him from offering, or advertising, any general health services — including counselling — in Victoria.
The HCC investigation found Belieu provided services to six patients on seven occasions in direct breach of the order, advertised services directly or indirectly on LinkedIn, and engaged in repeated, deliberate offending after being personally served. Belieu pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Citing the seriousness of the conduct, and the need for both specific and general deterrence, His Honour said a fine with conviction was warranted.
Health Complaints Commissioner Adjunct Prof. Bernice Redley welcomed the outcome. “This strong decision sends a clear message that unsafe or unethical practices will not be tolerated. Our priority is always protecting the public, and this outcome reinforces the importance of the protections we put in place through use of our regulatory powers,” she said. “Prohibition orders issued by the HCC help to prevent repeat harm, and reinforce public confidence in the health complaints system.”
The court outcome comes in addition to a banning order issued by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which has applied to Belieu since June 2024.
