Edition 65, March 2009

Update on national health accreditation scheme

The team managing the introduction of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions recently released an update on how the implementation of the scheme is progressing. The update includes information on:

  • the implementation team
  • the national forum and state and territory forums
  • the consultation paper
  • the first piece of legislation for the new scheme. This legislation, entitled the Health Practitioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangements) National Law Bill 2008
  • the consultation process for the major piece of national legislation to underpin the scheme
  • Transition coordinators.

In March 2008 CoAG signed an Intergovernmental Agreement to create a single national scheme for the registration and accreditation of health practitioners from 1 July 2010.

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions will, for the first time, create a single national registration and accreditation system for ten health professions: chiropractors; dentists (including dental hygienists, dental prosthetists and dental therapists); medical practitioners; nurses and midwives; optometrists; osteopaths; pharmacists; physiotherapists; podiatrists; and psychologists.

The new arrangement will help health professionals move around the country more easily, reduce red tape, provide greater safeguards for the public and promote a more flexible, responsive and sustainable health workforce.

For more information on the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions and to read the update visit www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp

This page was generated on 26 August, 2009