Health practitioner registration: what you need to know For students of approved programs of study November 2015

Overview Information for students about: –Australia’s regulatory scheme for health practitioners –Aims of the scheme –Who does what –Purpose of registration –How to apply for registration –Obligations of registered health practitioners –Where to find more information 2

What is the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme? A single, national regulatory system for registered health professions - 14 health profession boards (National Boards) - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) 3

The National Scheme Mobility: registered health practitioners can practise across Australia Uniformity: consistent national standards – registration and professional conduct Efficiency: streamlined, effective Collaboration: sharing, learning and understanding between professions National online registers: showing current conditions on practice (except health) 4

Regulated health professions Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health practice Chinese medicine practice Chiropractic Dental practice Medical radiation practice Medical Nursing and midwifery Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology 5

Who does what? National Boards Made up of practitioner and community members appointed by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council Are the regulatory decision-makers for the health professions Set national registration standards, codes and guidelines Decide who is registered as a health practitioner 6

Who does what? National Boards Oversee the assessment of overseas-trained health practitioners Review and conduct investigations where necessary into notifications (complaints) made by the public or other health professionals Manage panel hearings Approve accredited programs of study that lead to registration 7

What is AHPRA? Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Works in partnership with boards and their committees to implement the National Scheme Operates in each state and territory and has a national office in Melbourne Manages the online registers of practitioners 8

Key features of registration Mandatory standards that must be met to be registered: –Criminal history –Continuing professional development –Recency of practice (RoP) –English language skills –Professional indemnity insurance (PII) arrangements 9

Key features of registration Student registration General registration (some graduates must complete a period of provisional registration first) Registration renewed annually Public online register of health practitioners Notifications (complaints) –Health, performance and conduct –Mandatory notifications –More at 10

Student registration All students enrolled in an approved program of study are on the student register The student register is not public –Education provider gives your details to the Board for student registration (no fees) You must contact the education provider if your name changes after enrolment so your details can be updated –The name on the graduate list given to AHPRA by education providers must match the name on your application for registration 11

Why have registration? Registration is a legal requirement –main purpose: public protection –only suitable persons with approved qualifications, who meet requirements of registration standards, are eligible You must be registered before you start practising Qualification is not registration 12

Why are health practitioners registered? To protect the public by ensuring that only suitably trained and qualified health practitioners are registered. You must not practise unregistered: fines of up to $30,000 13

Why should you care? No registration, no job –Cannot use regulated health professions’ protected titles unless registered –Graduates cannot practise until their application for provisional or general registration has been approved and they have meet all other National Board requirements (i.e. approval of supervised practice arrangements if applicable) 14

Becoming registered Graduation does not mean automatic registration Apply online at for provisional or general registration at least four to six weeks before you graduate (universities provide graduate lists to AHPRA) REMEMBER: You must meet the registration standards and all other National Board requirements before you start practising 15

What are an applicant’s obligations? Ensure all information provided is true and correct Update any changes to principal place of practice, postal address, or name during application process If you are unsure whether to disclose information – disclose anyway or call AHPRA Serious penalties may apply if an applicant is found to have provided false and/or misleading information, including application being refused 16

After securing general registration Ongoing practitioner responsibilities… Annual renewal of registration (online renewal encouraged) –late fee or a new application (with all documentation if lapsed) Declare: –change of contact details or principal place of practice –criminal convictions or charges against you –health issues likely to impact on practice Minimum CPD credits or hours every year: record and reflect Recency of practice: National Board review of evidence of competence if minimum requirements not met before application Adhere to registration standards (RoP, CPD and PII) Mandatory notification requirements 17

When things go wrong Registration standards, codes or guidelines may be used in disciplinary proceedings against you as evidence of what constitutes appropriate practice or conduct –(section 41 of the National Law) Anyone may make a notification about a health practitioner’s performance, conduct or health in writing, online or by phone –This is called a voluntary notification 18

Mandatory notifications Health practitioners & employers must report practitioners if they hold a reasonable belief they have engaged in notifiable conduct: –practising while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol –engaging in sexual misconduct in professional practice –placing the public at risk of substantial harm through a physical or mental impairment affecting practice –placing the public at risk of harm through a substantial departure from accepted professional standards 19

Mandatory notifications 20

How do I learn more? Go to to: –See Registration for information for students and graduates, including how to apply online –See Notifications for more on complaints –Access National Board websites Check the National Board websites for registration standards, codes, guidelines and other important information for the regulated health professions 21