A Primer on paramedic registration - updated 26 December 2015 - more to come as program develops

1. Paramedic registration:
a primer
Status – 18 February 2016
@Arban70
https://www.facebook.com/ParamedProf

2. An independent authority is established to set up, register
and control:
̶ Who enters the profession – i.e. who gets on the register; making
sure that those who are registered are fit and competent - entry
̶ Who stays on the register - ensure those on the register are able
to practice safely and maintain their competence - monitoring
̶ Who is removed from the register - those shown to be lacking
ability or fitness to practice - removal
How does registration work ?
Registration involves transparency, objectivity & due process

3. The National Registration & Accreditation Scheme (NRAS)
was established under individual jurisdictional legislation to:
− protect the public by ensuring that only suitably trained and qualified
practitioners are registered
− facilitate workforce mobility across Australia
− enable the continuous development of a flexible, responsive and
sustainable Australian health workforce
The NRAS is administered by AHPRA* and a number of
professional regulatory Boards. It provides independent:
− protection of title
− a register of practitioners
− established registration standards
− investigation of complaints
− accreditation of courses
What is NRAS registration ?
*AHPRA - see https://www.ahpra.gov.au/

4. The NRAS commenced in 2010 with 10 health professions
Chiropractic Osteopathy
Dental Pharmacy
Medical Physiotherapy
Nursing & Midwifery Podiatry
Optometry Psychology
A further four professions entered the scheme in 2012
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health practice
Chinese medicine
Medical radiation practice
Occupational therapy
As at December 2015 there were 632,488 registered health
practitioners in Australia – see http://bit.ly/1OtnjhR
Currently registered professions

5. Satisfies best practice regulatory principles and creates a
consistent national regulatory framework
Established system - national boards – with broad
membership and operational transparency
– practitioner members
– community members (minimum # per Board)
Robust complaint procedures – independent / objective
Firm procedural and consistent governance requirements
Recognised system – transparent and accountable
Independent / objective – with public engagement
Economies of scale – national / international recognition
Why NRAS* registration is best
*NRAS - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health practitioners

6. Australia supports national paramedic registration !
Why ? For patient safety and to protect the public
National support is massive
Source: Paramedics Australasia On-line Survey Aug/Sep 2012
National consultations by the working party on regulation
also showed overwhelming support for registration

7. Since 2011 the Regulatory Impact Study for paramedics has
undergone many iterations on the way to resolution
Health Ministers agreed to adopt a national Code of Conduct
for unregistered health workers - see http://bit.ly/1yS81vA
This would apply to paramedics if not registered
Paramedic registration under NRAS was supported by all
states & territories except NSW at the COAG meeting on 7
August 2015 – but delayed - see http://bit.ly/1Nee6VE
Three states (SA, Tas & NSW) have introduced legislation
protecting the title of ‘paramedic’ but using different legislative
frameworks: in SA – NRAS; in Tas – Ambulance Service Act;
and in NSW - Health Services Act
The regulatory journey 1

8. On 20 Aug 2015 Senator Glenn Lazarus secured support for
an Inquiry into paramedic registration http://on.fb.me/1PqdSvx
Thirteen submissions were lodged bit.ly/1PHnjrP
Health Ministers on 6 Nov 2015 agreed to support registration
under NRAS with jurisdictions able to ‘opt-in’. NSW did not
agree but other states & territories are expected to proceed
given prior commitments – see http://on.fb.me/1NYNskM
The Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC)
on 4 December 2015 agreed that Victoria will provide the
lead agency for the next phase of work
The NSW Health Services Amendment (Paramedics) Bill
2015 for protection of paramedic title came into effect on 1
February 2016 – see http://on.fb.me/1O0wnZg
The regulatory journey 2
T

9. Victoria’s Department of Health & Human Services is currently
appointing a Principal Project Officer to progress the
paramedic registration project on.fb.me/1oszXBU
Selective consultations with stakeholders will be undertaken to
develop the ‘roadmap’ for registration, legislative changes &
establishment of relevant AHPRA mechanisms
AHPRA mechanisms would include establishment of a
regulatory Board, relevant committees & registration standards.
The COAG Health Council* will need to approve these
developments - which tentatively will see implementation of
paramedic registration by July or September 2018
*COAG Health Council - see http://bit.ly/1MCfS0d
The current status (18 February 2016)

10. For additional information on regulatory and general matters
follow Twitter on @Arban70 or The Paramedic Observer
https://www.facebook.com/ParamedProf
Information on paramedic practice is also available on the
websites and social media channels of (in alpha order):
─ Australian and New Zealand College of Paramedicine (ANZCP)
─ Australian Paramedics Association (various jurisdictions)
─ Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA)
─ National Council of Ambulance Unions (NCAU)
─ Paramedics Australasia - also see their dedicated ‘registration’ channels
Twitter @ParaRegAU and Facebook http://bit.ly/1MCfS0d
─ Private Paramedicine Australia (PPA) http://on.fb.me/1OSq0Uq
Further details