Senate recommendations on AHPRA - Government responds
The Federal Government today released its response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee on the administration of health practitioner registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
The committee made 10 recommendations – five were directed to AHPRA and five to the Government. The Government Senators disagreed with the findings of the majority report.
The Government’s responses are:
Recommendation 3 – undertake a regular review of overseas trained health practitioners. The Government will raise this matter with the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council/Standing Council of Health.
Recommendation 6 – improve the accountability of AHPRA. The Government noted the recommendation. The AHPRA annual report is tabled in each parliament of Australia.
Recommendation 8 – amend the National Law to provide AHPRA with a discretion to grant a grace period where a health practitioner faces registration as a result of administrative error by the agency. The Government does not support this recommendation. The Government says that the legislation provides for a grace period of one month and also provides for extensions. AHPRA now has a special procedure allowing continuity of registration for practitioners who face administrative difficulties with renewals. The Government says that AHPRA has improved the management of registration enquiries.
Recommendation 9 – provide further practicing classifications for practitioners in academic institutions and for those who practise in a limited manner. The Government noted the recommendation. It is possible for standard requirements for Limited and Provisional registration to be modified. Under the scheme, all registration standards are to be reviewed every three years or earlier if necessary.
Recommendation 10 – review the mandatory notifications requirements and take into account the WA model of mandatory reporting. The Government noted the recommendation. The need to review mandatory reporting regulations is best determined once adequate data is available.
The committee made 10 recommendations – five were directed to AHPRA and five to the Government. The Government Senators disagreed with the findings of the majority report.
The Government’s responses are:
Recommendation 3 – undertake a regular review of overseas trained health practitioners. The Government will raise this matter with the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council/Standing Council of Health.
Recommendation 6 – improve the accountability of AHPRA. The Government noted the recommendation. The AHPRA annual report is tabled in each parliament of Australia.
Recommendation 8 – amend the National Law to provide AHPRA with a discretion to grant a grace period where a health practitioner faces registration as a result of administrative error by the agency. The Government does not support this recommendation. The Government says that the legislation provides for a grace period of one month and also provides for extensions. AHPRA now has a special procedure allowing continuity of registration for practitioners who face administrative difficulties with renewals. The Government says that AHPRA has improved the management of registration enquiries.
Recommendation 9 – provide further practicing classifications for practitioners in academic institutions and for those who practise in a limited manner. The Government noted the recommendation. It is possible for standard requirements for Limited and Provisional registration to be modified. Under the scheme, all registration standards are to be reviewed every three years or earlier if necessary.
Recommendation 10 – review the mandatory notifications requirements and take into account the WA model of mandatory reporting. The Government noted the recommendation. The need to review mandatory reporting regulations is best determined once adequate data is available.
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