The National Code of Conduct for unregistered health workers was agreed upon at a COAG Health Council meeting in April 2015. This was the culmination of a process that began in 2010 to regulate unregistered health workers through a national code of conduct. The code sets standards of conduct and practice for all unregistered health care workers and will apply to paramedics. It outlines 17 categories of conduct around issues like treatment, consent, records keeping and more. The code and regulatory framework will be overseen by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council.

1. The National Code of
Conduct for unregistered
health workers
@Arban70 19/05/2015

2. At the COAG Health Council meeting of 17 April 2015 Health Ministers
agreed to implement a First National Code of Conduct for health care
workers who are not registered under the National Registration &
Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for health practitioners.
This was the culmination of a process that began in November 2010
when Health Ministers agreed to conduct a national consultation on
regulatory options for unregistered health workers
After extensive consultation, Ministers considered a Regulatory
Impact Assessment on 14 June 2013. They agreed in principle to state
and territory health regulation via a Code of Conduct and tasked the
working group to develop a suitable model Code
The First National Code is the outcome of that further consultation
process and a final report to Ministers – see http://bit.ly/1GBemJi
A brief background to the Code

3. The National Code will apply to paramedics (and related health care
workers) in the absence of registration and/or other legislation
The National Code sets standards of conduct and practice for all
unregistered health care workers.
Ministers agreed to use their best endeavours to achieve national
consistency (Code-based regulatory regimes already operate in
three states: NSW, SA and Queensland)
A common web portal will be developed along with a nationally
consistent suite of explanatory materials. This work will be led by the
Australian Health Complaints Commissioners
There will be a common framework for the collection and reporting of
data & annual performance reporting to the COAG Health Council
What does this involve ?

4. There will be an independent review of the scheme after five years,
or earlier at the request of Health Ministers
The Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) will
oversee the joint work required to give effect to the arrangements
In due course, all health workers will be covered either through
registration or by the provisions of the National Code - as
applicable within particular jurisdiction(s)
The Health Council Communique together with the attached First
National Code of Conduct is available here: http://bit.ly/1yS81vA
More information on regulatory developments likely to affect
paramedics and related health care workers is expected to be
available on the AHMAC website here: http://bit.ly/1Fl1Tgk
What else will happen ?

5. The provisions of the National Code for Health Care Workers (HCW)
are outlined under 17 major categories – see: http://bit.ly/1yS81vA
In broad outline these categories cover:
1. HCW to provide services in a safe and ethical manner
2. HCW to obtain consent
3. HCW to exercise appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice
4. HCW to report concerns about the conduct of other HCW
5. HCW to take appropriate action in response to adverse events
6. HCW to adopt standard precautions for infection control
7. HCW diagnosed with infectious medical conditions
8. HCW not to make claims to cure certain serious illnesses
Key Code matters: 1 - 8

6. The 17 broad Code of Conduct categories (continued):
9. HCW not to misinform their clients
10. HCW not to practise under the influence of alcohol or unlawful substances
11. HCW practice with certain mental or physical impairment
12. HCW not to financially exploit clients
13. HCW not to engage in sexual misconduct
14. HCW to comply with relevant privacy laws
15. HCW to keep appropriate records
16. HCW to be covered by appropriate insurance
17. HCW to display the Code and other information
Key Code matters: 9 - 17

7. Paramedics will be covered by formal regulatory provisions (either
a code or registration) and compliance measures will include
appropriate indemnity insurance (inter alia)
Affected persons should read the final report to Ministers and the
First National Code of Conduct to inform themselves about these
compliance measures
Paramedics, employers & related workers at all levels should
monitor information provided by the relevant government agencies
as the Code implementation proceeds, and
Follow up any relevant professional development opportunities
Learn more about professionalism by engaging with pertinent
websites & social media channels such as http://on.fb.me/1Gcjlju
What are some ramifications ?