COAG announces new national registration arrangements

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) today announced plans for the proposed national registration and course accreditation systems to apply from 1 July 2008. The key outcome is agreement for registration to be administered on a national basis by nine profession-specific boards supported by a central secretariat operating at both national and State levels.

The COAG Communique included the following statement:

"COAG is pleased to announce that it has today agreed on the arrangements for a new national system for the registration of health professionals and the accreditation of their training and education programs for implementation by July 2008.

The new scheme will deliver many benefits to the Australian community including health consumers. National standards in each profession will mean stronger safety guarantees for the community. Patients will know that wherever the health professional is from, they are registered against the same, high-quality national professional standards.

COAG agreed that the new scheme should support workforce responsiveness, flexibility, sustainability and innovation. National registration will also mean that doctors, nurses and other health professionals will be able to practise across State and Territory borders without having to re-register. This will improve workforce mobility, allowing health practitioners to move easily to a new State or to serve in times of emergency or provide locum services.

The new system will initially cover nine health professions: medical practitioners, nurses and midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, osteopaths, chiropractors, optometrists and dentists (including dental hygienists, dental prosthetists and dental therapists).

Key features of the new arrangements include a continuing role for Health Ministers, a single, consolidated scheme and a new national professional board for each of the nine professions. Each profession will develop standards for its profession for approval by Health Ministers. Individual registration and accreditation decisions will remain the responsibility of the professions. Community representatives will play a key role in the new scheme. Health Ministers will be assisted by an independent Advisory Council which will provide transparent policy advice to Ministers. COAG agreed to consider further the membership of the Advisory Council. "

As more details become available, the ADAVB will advise.