NSW Psychiatrist Gopi Ilawala Reprimanded following Criminal Finding for Sexual Misconduct

June 3, 2026

A New South Wales psychiatrist has been reprimanded by the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal after admitting a complaint that he was the subject of a criminal finding for two offences of sexual touching without consent.

According to the tribunal's decision, Dr. Gopi Ilawala pleaded guilty in 2024 to two counts of sexually touching a woman without her consent during a staff party held at his residence in November 2022. The woman, a colleague, had become extremely intoxicated and was placed in a bedroom by coworkers after becoming ill. The tribunal found that Dr. Ilawala entered the room, kissed and bit the woman's ear, lifted her dress, and moved her underwear. The woman later reported the incident to police after leaving the residence.

The Local Court found Dr. Ilawala guilty of the offences but did not record a conviction. Instead, he was placed on a two-year Conditional Release Order. In disciplinary proceedings brought by the Health Care Complaints Commission, Dr. Ilawala admitted the complaint and the underlying facts.

The Commission argued that Dr. Ilawala's medical registration should be cancelled and that he should be prohibited from reapplying for registration for 12 months. The tribunal, however, concluded that while the conduct was serious, it did not establish that he was unfit in the public interest to practise medicine. The tribunal noted evidence that the conduct was out of character, that Dr. Ilawala had expressed remorse, undertaken education concerning sexual boundaries and workplace sexual harassment, and was receiving ongoing treatment and monitoring from a forensic psychiatrist.

In its decision, the tribunal imposed a formal reprimand and ordered that Dr. Ilawala continue treatment with forensic psychiatrist Dr. Jeremy O'Dea until Dr. O'Dea determines that he has sufficiently addressed the causes of the offending behaviour and developed appropriate strategies to manage personal and professional stress. The tribunal also ordered Dr. Ilawala to pay the Health Care Complaints Commission's legal costs.

The tribunal stated that the reprimand will appear on the National Register and will include information identifying that Dr. Ilawala was the subject of a criminal finding involving sexual misconduct. The tribunal found that this outcome would promote transparency and demonstrate that sexual misconduct by registered health practitioners is taken seriously by the regulatory system.

Source: Health Care Complaints Commission v Ilawala [2026] NSWCATOD 77, New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Occupational Division), decision issued June 1, 2026.