Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010
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Reprinted under the Reprints Act 1984 as |
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at 23 June 2017 |
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Western Australia
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010
Contents
Part 1 — Preliminary
1.Short title2
2.Commencement2
3.Terms used2
Part 2 — Application of Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
4.Application of Health Practitioner Regulation National Law3
5.Meaning of generic terms in Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) for purposes of this jurisdiction4
6.Responsible tribunal for Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia)4
7.Exclusion of legislation of this jurisdiction5
Part 3 — Provisions specific to this jurisdiction
8.Transfer of certain property exempt from duty6
9.Minister’s direction6
10.Police Commissioner may give criminal history information6
11.Review of decision by State Administrative Tribunal as responsible tribunal7
12.Regulations7
13.Review of Act7
Part 4 — Repeals, transitional and saving provisions
Division 1 — Repeals
14.Acts repealed8
15.Codes of practice, regulations and rules repealed8
Division 2 — Transitional and saving provisions
16.Term used: former Act9
17.Complaints and matters being dealt with on participation day9
18.Annual reports for part of a year10
19.School dental therapists11
20.Determination of area of need11
21.Transitional regulations11
Schedule — Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
Part 1 — Preliminary
1.Short title13
2.Commencement13
3.Objectives and guiding principles13
4.How functions to be exercised14
5.Terms used14
6.Interpretation generally25
7.Single national entity25
8.Extraterritorial operation of Law26
9.Trans‑Tasman mutual recognition principle26
10.Law binds the State26
Part 2 — Ministerial Council
11.Policy directions27
12.Approval of registration standards28
13.Approvals in relation to specialist registration28
14.Approval of endorsement in relation to scheduled medicines29
15.Approval of areas of practice for purposes of endorsement30
16.How Ministerial Council exercises functions30
17.Notification and publication of directions and approvals30
Part 3 — Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council
18.Establishment of Advisory Council32
19.Function of Advisory Council32
20.Publication of advice32
21.Powers of Advisory Council32
22.Membership of Advisory Council33
Part 4 — Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Division 1 — National Agency
23.National Agency34
24.General powers of National Agency34
25.Functions of National Agency34
26.Health profession agreements36
27.Cooperation with participating jurisdictions and Commonwealth36
28.Office of National Agency37
Division 2 — Agency Management Committee
29.Agency Management Committee37
30.Functions of Agency Management Committee38
Part 5 — National Boards
Division 1 — National Boards
31.Establishment of National Boards39
32.Powers of National Board40
33.Membership of National Boards41
34.Eligibility for appointment42
Division 2 — Functions of National Boards
35.Functions of National Boards43
36.State and Territory Boards45
37.Delegation of functions47
Division 3 — Registration standards and codes and guidelines
38.National Board must develop registration standards47
39.Codes and guidelines48
40.Consultation about registration standards, codes and guidelines49
41.Use of registration standards, codes or guidelines in disciplinary proceedings49
Part 6 — Accreditation
Division 1 — Preliminary
42.Term used: accreditation function50
Division 2 — Accreditation authorities
43.Accreditation authority to be decided50
44.National Agency may enter into contracts with external accreditation entities51
45.Accreditation processes to be published51
Division 3 — Accreditation functions
46.Development of accreditation standards51
47.Approval of accreditation standards52
48.Accreditation of programmes of study53
49.Approval of accredited programmes of study54
50.Accreditation authority to monitor approved programmes of study55
51.Changes to approval of programme of study55
Part 7 — Registration of health practitioners
Division 1 — General registration
52.Eligibility for general registration57
53.Qualifications for general registration58
54.Examination or assessment for general registration58
55.Unsuitability to hold general registration58
56.Period of general registration60
Division 2 — Specialist registration
57.Eligibility for specialist registration60
58.Qualifications for specialist registration61
59.Examination or assessment for specialist registration61
60.Unsuitability to hold specialist registration62
61.Period of specialist registration62
Division 3 — Provisional registration
62.Eligibility for provisional registration62
63.Unsuitability to hold provisional registration63
64.Period of provisional registration63
Division 4 — Limited registration
65.Eligibility for limited registration64
66.Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice64
67.Limited registration for area of need65
68.Limited registration in public interest66
69.Limited registration for teaching or research66
70.Unsuitability to hold limited registration66
71.Limited registration not to be held for more than one purpose66
72.Period of limited registration66
Division 5 — Non‑practicing registration
73.Eligibility for non‑practicing registration67
74.Unsuitability to hold non‑practicing registration68
75.Registered health practitioner who holds non‑practicing registration must not practise the profession68
76.Period of non‑practicing registration68
Division 6 — Application for registration
77.Application for registration69
78.Power to check applicant’s proof of identity70
79.Power to check applicant’s criminal history70
80.Boards’ other powers before deciding application for registration70
81.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application or imposition of condition72
82.Decision about application72
83.Conditions of registration73
84.Notice to be given to applicant74
85.Failure to decide application74
Division 7 — Student registration
Subdivision 1 — Persons undertaking approved programmes of study
86.Terms used74
87.National Board must register persons undertaking approved programme of study75
88.National Board may ask education provider for list of persons undertaking approved programme of study76
89.Registration of students76
90.Period of student registration77
Subdivision 2 — Other persons to be registered as students
91.Education provider to provide lists of persons77
Subdivision 3 — General provisions applicable to students
92.Notice to be given if student registration suspended or condition imposed79
93.Report to National Board of cessation of status as student79
Division 8 — Endorsement of registration
Subdivision 1 — Endorsement in relation to scheduled medicines
94.Endorsement for scheduled medicines80
Subdivision 2 — Endorsement in relation to nurse practitioners
95.Endorsement as nurse practitioner81
Subdivision 3 — Endorsement in relation to midwife practitioners
96.Endorsement as midwife practitioner82
Subdivision 4 — Endorsement in relation to acupuncture
97.Endorsement for acupuncture82
Subdivision 5 — Endorsements in relation to approved areas of practice
98.Endorsement for approved area of practice83
Subdivision 6 — Application for endorsement
99.Application for endorsement84
100.Boards’ other powers before deciding application for endorsement84
101.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application or imposition of condition85
102.Decision about application85
103.Conditions of endorsement86
104.Notice of decision to be given to applicant86
105.Period of endorsement87
106.Failure to decide application for endorsement87
Division 9 — Renewal of registration
107.Application for renewal of registration or endorsement87
108.Registration taken to continue in force88
109.Annual statement88
110.National Board’s powers before making decision90
111.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application for renewal or imposition of condition90
112.Decision about application for renewal90
Division 10 — Title and practice protections
Subdivision 1 — Title protections
113.Restriction on use of protected titles92
114.Use of title “acupuncturist”95
115.Restriction on use of specialist titles95
116.Claims by persons as to registration as health practitioner96
117.Claims by persons as to registration in particular profession or division97
118.Claims by persons as to specialist registration99
119.Claims about type of registration or registration in recognised specialty100
120.Registered health practitioner registered on conditions101
Subdivision 2 — Practice protections
121.Restricted dental acts102
122.Restriction on prescription of optical appliances103
123.Restriction on spinal manipulation104
Division 11 — Miscellaneous
Subdivision 1 — Certificates of registration
124.Issue of certificate of registration105
Subdivision 2 — Review of conditions and undertakings
125.Changing or removing conditions or undertaking on application by registered health practitioner or student106
126.Changing conditions on Board’s initiative107
127.Removal of condition or revocation of undertaking108
Subdivision 3 — Obligations of registered health practitioners and students
128.Continuing professional development109
129.Professional indemnity insurance arrangements109
130.Registered health practitioner or student to give National Board notice of certain events110
131.Change in principal place of practice, address or name112
132.National Board may ask registered health practitioner for employer’s details112
Subdivision 4 — Advertising
133.Advertising113
Subdivision 5 — Board’s powers to check identity and criminal history
134.Evidence of identity113
135.Criminal history check114
Subdivision 6 — General
136.Directing or inciting unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct115
137.Surrender of registration115
Part 8 — Health, performance and conduct
Division 1 — Preliminary
138.Part applicable to persons formerly registered under this Law116
139.Part applicable to persons formerly registered under corresponding prior Act in certain circumstances116
Division 2 — Mandatory notifications
140.Term used: notifiable conduct117
141.Mandatory notifications by health practitioners117
142.Mandatory notifications by employers119
143.Mandatory notifications by education providers120
Division 3 — Voluntary notifications
144.Grounds for voluntary notification120
145.Who may make voluntary notification121
Division 4 — Making a notification
146.How notification is made122
147.National Agency to provide reasonable assistance to notifier122
Division 5 — Preliminary assessment
148.Referral of notification to National Board or co‑regulatory authority122
149.Preliminary assessment123
150.Relationship with health complaints entity124
151.When National Board may decide to take no further action125
152.National Board to give notice of receipt of notification126
Division 6 — Other matters
153.National Board may deal with notifications about same person together127
154.National Boards may deal with notifications collaboratively127
Division 7 — Immediate action
155.Term used: immediate action127
156.Power to take immediate action128
157.Show cause process129
158.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student about immediate action129
159.Period of immediate action130
Division 8 — Investigations
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
160.When investigation may be conducted131
161.Registered health practitioner or student to be given notice of investigation131
162.Investigation to be conducted in timely way132
Subdivision 2 — Investigators
163.Appointment of investigators132
164.Identity card133
165.Display of identity card133
Subdivision 3 — Procedure after investigation
166.Investigator’s report about investigation134
167.Decision by National Board134
Division 9 — Health and performance assessments
168.Term used: assessment134
169.Requirement for health assessment134
170.Requirement for performance assessment135
171.Appointment of assessor to carry out assessment135
172.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student about assessment135
173.Assessor may require information or attendance136
174.Inspection of documents136
175.Report from assessor136
176.Copy of report to be given to health practitioner or student137
177.Decision by National Board137
Division 10 — Action by National Board
178.National Board may take action138
179.Show cause process139
180.Notice to be given to health practitioner or student and notifier140
Division 11 — Panels
181.Establishment of health panel141
182.Establishment of performance and professional standards panel142
183.List of approved persons for appointment to panels142
184.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student143
185.Procedure of panel143
186.Legal representation144
187.Submission by notifier144
188.Panel may proceed in absence of registered health practitioner or student144
189.Hearing not open to the public144
190.Referral to responsible tribunal145
191.Decision of panel145
192.Notice to be given about panel’s decision147
Division 12 — Referring matter to responsible tribunals
193.Matters to be referred to responsible tribunal148
194.Parties to the proceedings148
195.Costs149
196.Decision by responsible tribunal about registered health practitioner149
197.Decision by responsible tribunal about student150
198.Relationship with Act establishing responsible tribunal151
Division 13 — Appeals
199.Appellable decisions151
200.Parties to the proceedings153
201.Costs153
202.Decision153
203.Relationship with Act establishing responsible tribunal153
Division 14 — Miscellaneous
204.Notice from adjudication body153
205.Implementation of decisions154
206.National Board to give notice to registered health practitioner’s employer154
207.Effect of suspension155
Part 9 — Finance
208.Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Fund156
209.Payments into Agency Fund156
210.Payments out of Agency Fund157
211.Investment of money in Agency Fund157
212.Financial management duties of National Agency and National Boards158
Part 10 — Information and privacy
Division 1 — Privacy
213.Application of Commonwealth Privacy Act160
Division 2 — Disclosure of information and confidentiality
214.Term used: protected information161
215.Application of Commonwealth FOI Act161
216.Duty of confidentiality161
217.Disclosure of information for workforce planning162
218.Disclosure of information for information management and communication purposes163
219.Disclosure of information to other Commonwealth, State and Territory entities164
220.Disclosure to protect health or safety of patients or other persons164
221.Disclosure to registration authorities165
Division 3 — Registers in relation to registered health practitioner
222.National Registers165
223.Specialists registers167
224.Way registers are to be kept167
225.Information to be recorded in National Register168
226.National Board may decide not to include or to remove certain information in register169
227.Register about former registered health practitioners170
228.Inspection of registers170
Division 4 — Student registers
229.Student registers171
230.Information to be recorded in student register171
Division 5 — Other records
231.Other records to be kept by National Boards172
232.Record of adjudication decisions to be kept and made publicly available172
Division 6 — Unique Identifier
233.Unique identifier to be given to each registered health practitioner173
Part 11 — Miscellaneous
Division 1 — Provisions relating to persons exercising functions under law
234.General duties of persons exercising functions under this Law174
235.Application of Commonwealth Ombudsman Act174
236.Protection from personal liability for persons exercising functions175
237.Protection from liability for persons making notification or otherwise providing information176
Division 2 — Inspectors
238.Functions and powers of inspectors176
239.Appointment of inspectors177
240.Identity card177
241.Display of identity card178
Division 3 — Legal proceedings
242.Proceedings for offences178
243.Conduct may constitute offence and be subject of disciplinary proceedings178
244.Evidentiary certificates179
Division 4 — Regulations
245.National regulations180
246.Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations180
247.Effect of disallowance of national regulation180
Division 5 — Miscellaneous
248.Combined notice may be given180
249.Fees181
Part 12 — Transitional provisions
Division 1 — Preliminary
250.Terms used182
251.References to registered health practitioners182
Division 2 — Ministerial Council
252.Directions given by Ministerial Council183
253.Accreditation functions exercised by existing accreditation entities183
254.Health profession standards approved by Ministerial Council184
255.Accreditation standards approved by National Board184
Division 3 — Advisory Council
256.Members of Advisory Council184
Division 4 — National Agency
257.Health profession agreements184
258.Service agreement185
Division 5 — Agency Management Committee
259.Members of Agency Management Committee185
Division 6 — Staff, consultants and contractors of National Agency
260.Chief executive officer186
261.Staff186
262.Consultants and contractors187
Division 7 — Reports
263.Annual report187
Division 8 — National Boards
264.Members of National Boards187
265.Committees188
266.Delegation188
Division 9 — Agency Fund
267.Agency Fund188
Division 10 — Offences
268.Offences189
Division 11 — Registration
269.General registration189
270.Specialist registration189
271.Provisional registration190
272.Limited registration190
273.Limited registration (public interest‑occasional practice)191
274.Non‑practicing registration191
275.Registration for existing registered students192
276.Registration for new students192
277.Other registrations192
278.Endorsements193
279.Conditions imposed on registration or endorsement194
280.Expiry of registration and endorsement194
281.Protected titles for certain specialist health practitioners195
282.First renewal of registration or endorsement195
283.Programmes of study196
284.Exemption from requirement for professional indemnity insurance arrangements for midwives practising private midwifery196
Division 12 — Applications for registration and endorsement
285.Applications for registration198
286.Applications for endorsement198
287.Disqualifications and conditions relevant to applications for registration198
Division 13 — Complaints, notifications and disciplinary proceedings
288.Complaints and notifications made but not being dealt with on participation day199
289.Complaints and notifications being dealt with on participation day199
290.Effect of suspension200
291.Undertakings and other agreements200
292.Orders201
293.List of approved persons201
Division 14 — Local registration authority
294.Term used: transfer day201
295.Assets and liabilities202
296.Records relating to registration and accreditation203
297.Financial and administrative records203
298.Pharmacy businesses and premises203
299.Members of local registration authority203
Division 15 — Staged commencement for certain health professions
300.Application of Law to relevant health profession between commencement and 1 July 2012204
301.Ministerial Council may appoint external accreditation entity204
302.Application of Law to appointment of first National Board for relevant professions205
303.Qualifications for general registration in relevant profession205
304.Relationship with other provisions of Law206
Division 16 — Savings and transitional regulations
305.Savings and transitional regulations206
Schedule 1 — Constitution and procedure of Advisory Council
Part 1 — General
1.Terms used207
Part 2 — Constitution
2.Terms of office of members207
3.Remuneration207
4.Vacancy in office of member207
5.Extension of term of office during vacancy in membership208
6.Disclosure of conflict of interest208
Part 3 — Procedure
7.General procedure209
8.Quorum210
9.Presiding member210
10.Transaction of business outside meetings or by telecommunication210
11.First meeting210
Schedule 2 — Agency Management Committee
Part 1 — General
1.Terms used211
Part 2 — Constitution
2.Terms of office of members211
3.Remuneration211
4.Vacancy in office of member211
5.Vacancies to be advertised212
6.Extension of term of office during vacancy in membership212
7.Members to act in public interest213
8.Disclosure of conflict of interest213
Part 3 — Procedure
9.General procedure214
10.Quorum214
11.Chief executive officer may attend meetings214
12.Presiding member215
13.Voting215
14.Transaction of business outside meetings or by telecommunication215
15.First meeting216
16.Defects in appointment of members216
Schedule 3 — National Agency
Part 1 — Chief executive officer
1.Chief executive officer217
2.Functions of chief executive officer217
3.Delegation and subdelegation by chief executive officer217
4.Vacancy in office218
Part 2 — Staff, consultants and contractors
5.Staff of National Agency218
6.Staff seconded to National Agency218
7.Consultants and contractors218
Part 3 — Reporting obligations
8.Annual report219
9.Reporting by National Boards220
Schedule 4 — National Boards
Part 1 — General
1.Terms used221
Part 2 — Constitution
2.Terms of office of members221
3.Remuneration221
4.Vacancy in office of member221
5.Vacancies to be advertised222
6.Extension of term of office during vacancy in membership223
7.Members to act in public interest223
8.Disclosure of conflict of interest223
Part 3 — Functions and powers
9.Requirement to consult other National Boards224
10.Boards may obtain assistance225
11.Committees225
Part 4 — Procedure
12.General procedure225
13.Quorum225
14.Presiding member225
15.Voting226
16.Transaction of business outside meetings or by telecommunication226
17.First meeting226
18.Defects in appointment of members227
Schedule 5 — Investigators
Part 1 — Power to obtain information
1.Powers of investigators228
2.Offence for failing to produce information or attend before investigator228
3.Inspection of documents229
Part 2 — Power to enter places
4.Entering places229
5.Application for warrant229
6.Issue of warrant230
7.Application by electronic communication230
8.Procedure before entry under warrant232
9.Powers after entering places232
10.Offences for failing to comply with requirement under clause 9233
11.Seizure of evidence234
12.Securing seized things234
13.Receipt for seized things234
14.Forfeiture of seized thing235
15.Dealing with forfeited things235
16.Return of seized things236
17.Access to seized things236
Part 3 — General matters
18.Damage to property236
19.Compensation237
20.False or misleading information237
21.False or misleading documents238
22.Obstructing investigators238
23.Impersonation of investigators238
Schedule 6 — Inspectors
Part 1 — Power to obtain information
1.Powers of inspectors239
2.Offence for failing to produce information or attend before inspector239
3.Inspection of documents240
Part 2 — Power to enter places
4.Entering places240
5.Application for warrant240
6.Issue of warrant241
7.Application by electronic communication241
8.Procedure before entry under warrant243
9.Powers after entering places243
10.Offences for failing to comply with requirement under clause 9244
11.Seizure of evidence245
12.Securing seized things245
13.Receipt for seized things245
14.Forfeiture of seized thing246
15.Dealing with forfeited things246
16.Return of seized things247
17.Access to seized things247
Part 3 — General matters
18.Damage to property247
19.Compensation248
20.False or misleading information248
21.False or misleading documents248
22.Obstructing inspectors249
23.Impersonation of inspectors249
Schedule 7 — Miscellaneous provisions relating to interpretation
Part 1 — Preliminary
1.Displacement of Schedule by contrary intention250
Part 2 — General
2.Law to be construed not to exceed legislative power of Legislature250
3.Every section to be a substantive enactment250
4.Material that is, and is not, part of this Law250
5.References to particular Acts and to enactments251
6.References taken to be included in Act or Law citation etc.251
7.Interpretation best achieving Law’s purpose252
8.Use of extrinsic material in interpretation252
9.Effect of change of drafting practice and use of examples254
10.Use of examples254
11.Compliance with forms254
Part 3 — Terms and references
12.Terms used255
13.Provisions relating to defined terms and gender and number259
14.Meaning of “may” and “must” etc.260
15.Words and expressions used in statutory instruments260
16.Effect of express references to bodies corporate and individuals260
17.Production of records kept in computers etc.260
18.References to this jurisdiction to be implied261
19.References to officers and holders of offices261
20.Reference to certain provisions of Law261
21.Reference to provisions of this Law or an Act is inclusive262
Part 4 — Functions and powers
22.Performance of statutory functions263
23.Power to make instrument or decision includes power to amend or repeal263
24.Matters for which statutory instruments may make provision263
25.Presumption of validity and power to make265
26.Appointments may be made by name or office265
27.Acting appointments265
28.Powers of appointment imply certain incidental powers267
29.Delegation of functions268
30.Exercise of powers between enactment and commencement270
Part 5 — Distance, time and age
31.Matters relating to distance, time and age272
Part 6 — Effect of repeal, amendment or expiration
32.Time of Law ceasing to have effect273
33.Repealed Law provisions not revived273
34.Saving of operation of repealed Law provisions273
35.Continuance of repealed provisions274
36.Law and amending Acts to be read as one274
Part 7 — Instruments under Law
37.Schedule applies to statutory instruments274
Part 8 — Application to coastal sea
38.Application275
Notes
Compilation table276
Defined terms
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Reprinted under the Reprints Act 1984 as |
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at 23 June 2017 |
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Western Australia
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010
·provide for a national registration and accreditation scheme for health practitioners; and
·repeal various Acts; and
·make consequential amendments to various Acts 2,
and for related purposes.
This is the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010 1.
This Act comes into operation as follows —
(a)sections 1 and 2 — on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent;
(b)the rest of the Act — on a day fixed by proclamation, and different days may be fixed for different provisions 1.
(1)For the purposes of this Act the local application provisions of this Act are the provisions of this Act other than the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law set out in the Schedule.
(2)In the local application provisions of this Act —
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(3)If a term is given a meaning in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law set out in the Schedule, it has the same meaning in the local application provisions of this Act.
Part 2 — Application of Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
4.Application of Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
(1)The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law set out in the Schedule, as modified to give effect to subsections (5), (6) and (7) —
(a)applies as a law of this jurisdiction; and
(b)as so applying, may be referred to as the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(c)as so applying, is a part of this Act.
(2)The power conferred by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) section 245 to make regulations for the purposes of that Law does not extend to making a regulation relating to the safe operation or use by a medical radiation practitioner of an electronic product, irradiating apparatus or radioactive substance as those terms are defined in the Radiation Safety Act 1975 section 4.
(3)The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) sections 295 to 297 do not apply to an asset, liability, contract, property or record of the Council that relate to the management of the unincorporated Pharmaceutical Society by the Council.
(4)In subsection (3) —
Council means the Pharmaceutical Council of Western Australia referred to in the Pharmacy Act 1964 section 7(1);
unincorporated Pharmaceutical Society means the Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia referred to in the Pharmacy Act 1964 section 6(1).
(5)In the Schedule section 3(3)(c) delete “and are of an appropriate quality.” and insert:
consistent with best practice principles.
(6)In the Schedule section 113 in the Table delete “medical practitioner” and insert:
medical practitioner, physician
(7)In the Schedule after section 141(4)(c) insert:
(da)the first health practitioner forms the reasonable belief in the course of providing health services to the second health practitioner or student; or
5.Meaning of generic terms in Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
In the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
magistrate means a magistrate appointed under the
Magistrates Court means the Magistrates Court of Western Australia established under the
this jurisdiction means
6.Responsible tribunal for Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
The State Administrative Tribunal established under the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 is declared to be the responsible tribunal for this jurisdiction for the purposes of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia).
7.Exclusion of legislation of this jurisdiction
(1)Except as provided in subsection (2), the following Acts of this jurisdiction do not apply to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(a)the Auditor General Act 2006;
(b)the Financial Management Act 2006;
(c)the Freedom of Information Act 1992;
(d)the Interpretation Act 1984;
(e)the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971;
(f)the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
(2)Sections 41 and 42 of the Interpretation Act 1984 apply to regulations made under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
Part 3 — Provisions specific to this jurisdiction
8.Transfer of certain property exempt from duty
(1)In this section, dutiable property and dutiable transaction have the respective meanings given in the Duties Act 2008 section 3.
(2)A dutiable transaction relating to the transfer of any dutiable property from a local registration authority to the National Agency in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) is exempt from duty under the Duties Act 2008.
(1)The Minister may, by written notice given to a local registration authority established under an Act repealed by section 14, direct that authority —
(a)to transfer any of the local registration authority’s funds to the National Agency before the participation day for this jurisdiction; and
(b)to give information to the National Agency before the participation day for this jurisdiction; and
(c)to sign any documents that are required to enable transition to the proposed national registration and accreditation scheme; and
(d)to take any action or do any other thing required to enable transition to the national registration and accreditation scheme.
(2)A local registration authority is to comply with any direction given by the Minister under subsection (1).
10.Police Commissioner may give criminal history information
(1)In this section —
criminal history information means information about a person’s criminal history that may be included in a written report under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(2)The Commissioner of Police appointed under the Police Act 1892 section 5 may give criminal history information to —
(a)a National Board; or
(b)CrimTrac, or a police force or service of the Commonwealth or another State or a Territory, for the purpose of CrimTrac or the police force or service giving the criminal history information to a National Board.
11.Review of decision by State Administrative Tribunal as responsible tribunal
A reference in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) to an appeal against a decision is, for an appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, a reference to a review of the decision as provided under the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 Part 3 Division 3.
The Governor may make regulations prescribing all matters that are required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed, or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving effect to the purposes of this Act.
(1)The Minister is to carry out a review of the operation and effectiveness of this Act as soon as is practicable after 5 years have elapsed since the Act comes into operation.
(2)The Minister is to prepare a report based on the review carried out under subsection (1) and is to cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament as soon as is practicable after the report is prepared, and in any event in relation to a review under subsection (1), not later than 12 months after the requirement for the review arose.
Part 4 — Repeals, transitional and saving provisions
These Acts are repealed:
(a)the Chiropractors Act 2005;
(b)the Dental Act 1939;
(c)the Dental Prosthetists Act 1985;
(d)the Medical Practitioners Act 2008;
(e)the Medical Radiation Technologists Act 2006;
(f)the Nurses and Midwives Act 2006;
(g)the Occupational Therapists Act 2005;
(h)the Optometrists Act 2005;
(i)the Osteopaths Act 2005;
(j)the Pharmacy Act 1964;
(k)the Physiotherapists Act 2005;
(l)the Podiatrists Act 2005;
(m)the Psychologists Act 2005.
15.Codes of practice, regulations and rules repealed
(1)These Codes of Practice are repealed:
(a)the Nurse Practitioners Code of Practice 2004;
(b)the Nurses Code of Practice 2000;
(c)the Occupational Therapists Code of Practice 2009.
(2)These regulations are repealed:
(a)the Chiropractors Regulations 2007;
(b)the Dental Board Elections Regulations;
(c)the Dental Charges Committee Regulations 1973;
(d)the Dental Prosthetists Regulations 1986;
(e)the Medical Practitioners Regulations 2008;
(f)the Medical Radiation Technologists Regulations 2007;
(g)the Nurses and Midwives Regulations 2007;
(h)the Occupational Therapists Regulations 2007;
(i)the Optometrists Regulations 2006;
(j)the Osteopaths Regulations 2006;
(k)the Pharmacy Act Regulations 1976;
(l)the Physiotherapists Regulations 2006;
(m)the Podiatrists Regulations 2006;
(n)the Psychologists Regulations 2007.
(3)The Dental Board Rules 1973 are repealed.
Division 2 — Transitional and saving provisions
In this Division —
former Act means any of the Acts repealed by section 14.
17.Complaints and matters being dealt with on participation day
(1)Despite the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(a)a complaint about a person in relation to a competency matter, a disciplinary matter or an impairment matter was being dealt with under a former Act other than the Dental Act 1939 and the Pharmacy Act 1964; or
(b)a matter was being dealt with under the Dental Act 1939 section 30; or
(c)a matter was being dealt with under the Pharmacy Act 1964 section 32(4).
(2)If this section applies —
(a)the complaint or matter is to be dealt with by the National Board for the health profession of the person as if a reference to the local registration authority in the former Act were a reference to the Board; and
(b)the complaint or matter is to continue to be dealt with under the former Act under which it was made or dealt with; and
(c)any committee dealing with the complaint or matter under the former Act is to continue dealing with the complaint or matter as if any provisions of the former Act relating to its establishment or constitution had not been repealed; and
(d)any investigator appointed under the former Act to investigate the complaint or matter is to continue to do so as if the provision of the former Act under which he or she was appointed had not been repealed.
(3)The National Board must give effect to a decision made in relation to a complaint or matter as if it were a decision under this Law.
18.Annual reports for part of a year
(1)A local registration authority is to make and submit an annual report as required by the provision of the former Act under which it was required to make and submit an annual report, but limited to the period from the end of the period in relation to which its last annual report was made to the participation day, and that provision applies as if that period were a year.
(2)Despite the repeal of the former Act under which it was established and the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) Part 12, the local registration authority remains in existence for the purpose of subsection (1) and is entitled to receive from the National Agency and its staff such assistance as it may require for the purpose.
Despite the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) Part 12 Division 11, if a person immediately before the participation day held registration under the Dental Act 1939 as a school dental therapist, from the participation day the person is taken to hold general registration under that Law in the dental therapist profession.
20.Determination of area of need
If, immediately before the participation day, a determination by the Minister of an area of need for the purposes of the definition of an unmet area of need in the Medical Practitioners Act 2008 section 34(1) is in force, on the participation day that area of need is to be taken to be an area of need for health services in this jurisdiction as if it had been decided under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) section 67(5) that it is an area of need for health services in this jurisdiction in the medical profession.
(1)If there is no sufficient provision in this Part for dealing with a transitional matter the Governor may make regulations prescribing all matters that are required, necessary or convenient to be prescribed in relation to that matter.
(2)Regulations made under subsection (1) may provide that specific provisions of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (
(a)do not apply; or
(b)apply with specific modifications,
to or in relation to any matter.
(3)If regulations made under subsection (1) provide that a specified state of affairs is to be taken to have existed, or not to have existed, on and from a day that is earlier than the day on which the regulations are published in the Gazette but not earlier than the day on which section 2 commenced, the regulations have effect according to their terms.
(4)In subsection (3) —
specified means specified or described in the regulations.
(5)If regulations contain a provision referred to in subsection (3), the provision does not operate so as —
(a)to affect in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State), the right of that person existing before the day of publication of those regulations; or
(b)to impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or an authority of the State) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the day of publication of those regulations.
(6)Regulations can only be made under this section before 1 July 2013.
[Part 5 (s. 22-166) omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
Schedule — Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
[s. 4]
This Law may be cited as the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
This Law commences in a participating jurisdiction as provided by the Act of that jurisdiction that applies this Law as a law of that jurisdiction.
3.Objectives and guiding principles
(1)The object of this Law is to establish a national registration and accreditation scheme for —
(a)the regulation of health practitioners; and
(b)the registration of students undertaking —
(i)programmes of study that provide a qualification for registration in a health profession; or
(ii)clinical training in a health profession.
(2)The objectives of the national registration and accreditation scheme are —
(a)to provide for the protection of the public by ensuring that only health practitioners who are suitably trained and qualified to practise in a competent and ethical manner are registered; and
(b)to facilitate workforce mobility across Australia by reducing the administrative burden for health practitioners wishing to move between participating jurisdictions or to practise in more than one participating jurisdiction; and
(c)to facilitate the provision of high quality education and training of health practitioners; and
(d)to facilitate the rigorous and responsive assessment of overseas‑trained health practitioners; and
(e)to facilitate access to services provided by health practitioners in accordance with the public interest; and
(f)to enable the continuous development of a flexible, responsive and sustainable Australian health workforce and to enable innovation in the education of, and service delivery by, health practitioners.
(3)The guiding principles of the national registration and accreditation scheme are as follows —
(a)the scheme is to operate in a transparent, accountable, efficient, effective and fair way;
(b)fees required to be paid under the scheme are to be reasonable having regard to the efficient and effective operation of the scheme;
(c)restrictions on the practice of a health profession are to be imposed under the scheme only if it is necessary to ensure health services are provided safely and are of an appropriate quality.
4.How functions to be exercised
An entity that has functions under this Law is to exercise its functions having regard to the objectives and guiding principles of the national registration and accreditation scheme set out in section 3.
In this Law —
accreditation authority means —
(a)an external accreditation entity; or
(b)an accreditation committee;
accreditation committee means a committee established by a National Board to exercise an accreditation function for the health profession for which the Board is established;
accreditation standard, for a health profession, means a standard used to assess whether a programme of study, and the education provider that provides the programme of study, provide persons who complete the programme with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practise the profession in Australia;
accredited programme of study means a programme of study accredited under section 48 by an accreditation authority;
adjudication body means —
(a)a panel; or
(b)a responsible tribunal; or
(c)a Court; or
(d)an entity of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction that is declared in the Act applying this Law to be an adjudication body for the purposes of this Law;
Advisory Council means the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council established by section 18;
Agency Fund means the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Fund established by section 208;
Agency Management Committee means the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Management Committee established by section 29;
appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements, in relation to a registered health practitioner, means professional indemnity insurance arrangements that comply with an approved registration standard for the health profession in which the practitioner is registered;
approved accreditation standard means an accreditation standard —
(a)approved by a National Board under section 47(3); and
(b)published on the Board’s website under section 47(6);
approved area of practice, for a health profession, means an area of practice approved under section 15 for the profession;
approved programme of study, for a health profession or for endorsement of registration in a health profession, means an accredited programme of study —
(a)approved under section 49(1) by the National Board established for the health profession; and
(b)included in the list published by the National Agency under section 49(5);
approved qualification —
(a)for a health profession, means a qualification obtained by completing an approved programme of study for the profession; and
(b)for endorsement of registration in a health profession, means a qualification obtained by completing an approved programme of study relevant to the endorsement;
approved registration standard means a registration standard —
(a)approved by the Ministerial Council under section 12; and
(b)published on the website of the National Board that developed the standard;
Australian legal practitioner means a person who —
(a)is admitted to the legal profession under the law of a State or Territory; and
(b)holds a current practising certificate under a law of a State or Territory authorising the person to practise the legal profession;
COAG Agreement means the agreement for a national registration and accreditation scheme for health professions, made on 26 March 2008 between the Commonwealth, the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory;
Note:A copy of the COAG Agreement is available on the Council of Australian Governments’ website.
co‑regulatory authority, for a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, means an entity that is declared by the Act applying this Law in the co‑regulatory jurisdiction to be a co‑regulatory authority for the purposes of this Law;
co‑regulatory jurisdiction means a participating jurisdiction in which the Act applying this Law declares that the jurisdiction is not participating in the health, performance and conduct process provided by Part 8 Divisions 3 to 12;
corresponding prior Act means a law of a participating jurisdiction that —
(a)was in force before the day on which the jurisdiction became a participating jurisdiction; and
(b)established an entity having functions that included —
(i)the registration of persons as health practitioners; or
(ii)health, conduct or performance action;
criminal history, of a person, means the following —
(a)every conviction of the person for an offence, in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and whether before or after the commencement of this Law;
(b)every plea of guilty or finding of guilt by a court of the person for an offence, in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and whether before or after the commencement of this Law and whether or not a conviction is recorded for the offence;
(c)every charge made against the person for an offence, in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and whether before or after the commencement of this Law;
criminal history law means a law of a participating jurisdiction that provides that spent or other convictions do not form part of a person’s criminal history and prevents or does not require the disclosure of those convictions;
CrimTrac means the CrimTrac agency established under the Public Service Act 1999 (Commonwealth) section 65;
division, of a health profession, means a part of a health profession for which a Division is included in the National Register kept for the profession;
education provider means —
(a)a university; or
(b)a tertiary education institution, or another institution or organisation, that provides vocational training; or
(c)a specialist medical college or other health profession college;
entity includes a person and an unincorporated body;
exercise a function includes perform a duty;
external accreditation entity means an entity, other than a committee established by a National Board, that exercises an accreditation function;
health assessment means an assessment of a person to determine whether the person has an impairment and includes a medical, physical, psychiatric or psychological examination or test of the person;
health complaints entity means an entity —
(a)that is established by or under an Act of a participating jurisdiction; and
(b)whose functions include conciliating, investigating and resolving complaints made against health service providers and investigating failures in the health system;
health, conduct or performance action means action that —
(a)a National Board or an adjudication body may take in relation to a registered health practitioner or student at the end of a proceeding under Part 8; or
(b)a co‑regulatory authority or an adjudication body may take in relation to a registered health practitioner or student at the end of a proceeding that, under the law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, substantially corresponds to a proceeding under Part 8;
health panel means a panel established under section 181;
health practitioner means an individual who practises a health profession;
health profession means the following professions, and includes a recognised specialty in any of the following professions —
(a)Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice;
(b)Chinese medicine;
(c)chiropractic;
(d)dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist);
(e)medical;
(f)medical radiation practice;
(g)nursing and midwifery;
(h)occupational therapy;
(i)optometry;
(j)osteopathy;
(k)pharmacy;
(l)physiotherapy;
(m)podiatry;
(n)psychology;
Note:See Division 15 of Part 12 which provides for a staged commencement of the application of this Law to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice, Chinese medicine, medical radiation practice and occupational therapy professions.
health profession agreement has the meaning given by section 26;
health programme means a programme providing education, prevention, early intervention, treatment or rehabilitation services relating to physical or mental impairments, disabilities, conditions or disorders, including substance abuse or dependence;
health service includes the following services, whether provided as public or private services —
(a)services provided by registered health practitioners;
(b)hospital services;
(c)mental health services;
(d)pharmaceutical services;
(e)ambulance services;
(f)community health services;
(g)health education services;
(h)welfare services necessary to implement any services referred to in paragraphs (a) to (g);
(i)services provided by dieticians, masseurs, naturopaths, social workers, speech pathologists, audiologists or audiometrists;
(j)pathology services;
health service provider means a person who provides a health service;
impairment, in relation to a person, means the person has a physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence) that detrimentally affects or is likely to detrimentally affect —
(a)for a registered health practitioner or an applicant for registration in a health profession, the person’s capacity to practise the profession; or
(b)for a student, the student’s capacity to undertake clinical training —
(i)as part of the approved programme of study in which the student is enrolled; or
(ii)arranged by an education provider;
local registration authority means an entity having functions under a law of a State or Territory that include the registration of persons as health practitioners;
mandatory notification means a notification an entity is required to make to the National Agency under Part 8 Division 2;
medical practitioner means a person who is registered under this Law in the medical profession;
Ministerial Council means the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council comprising Ministers of the governments of the participating jurisdictions and the Commonwealth with portfolio responsibility for health;
National Agency means the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency established by section 23;
National Board means a National Health Practitioner Board established by section 31;
National Register means the Register kept by a National Board under section 222;
national registration and accreditation scheme means the scheme —
(a)referred to in the COAG Agreement; and
(b)established by this Law;
notification means —
(a)a mandatory notification; or
(b)a voluntary notification;
notifier means a person who makes a notification;
panel means —
(a)a health panel; or
(b)a performance and professional standards panel;
participating jurisdiction means a State or Territory —
(a)that is a party to the COAG Agreement; and
(b)in which —
(i)this Law applies as a law of the State or Territory; or
(ii)a law that substantially corresponds to the provisions of this Law has been enacted;
performance and professional standards panel means a panel established under section 182;
performance assessment means an assessment of the knowledge, skill or judgment possessed, or care exercised by, a registered health practitioner in the practice of the health profession in which the practitioner is registered;
police commissioner means the commissioner of the police force or police service of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth;
principal place of practice, for a registered health practitioner, means the address declared by the practitioner to be the address —
(a)at which the practitioner is predominantly practising the profession; or
(b)if the practitioner is not practising the profession or is not practising the profession predominantly at one address, that is the practitioner’s principal place of residence;
professional misconduct, of a registered health practitioner, includes —
(a)unprofessional conduct by the practitioner that amounts to conduct that is substantially below the standard reasonably expected of a registered health practitioner of an equivalent level of training or experience; and
(b)more than one instance of unprofessional conduct that, when considered together, amounts to conduct that is substantially below the standard reasonably expected of a registered health practitioner of an equivalent level of training or experience; and
(c)conduct of the practitioner, whether occurring in connection with the practice of the health practitioner’s profession or not, that is inconsistent with the practitioner being a fit and proper person to hold registration in the profession;
programme of study means a programme of study provided by an education provider;
psychologist means a person registered under this Law in the psychology profession;
public health facility includes —
(a)a public hospital; and
(b)a public health, teaching or research facility;
recognised specialty means a specialty in a health profession that has been approved by the Ministerial Council under section 13(2);
registered health practitioner means an individual who —
(a)is registered under this Law to practise a health profession, other than as a student; or
(b)holds non‑practicing registration under this Law in a health profession;
registration authority means —
(a)a local registration authority; or
(b)an entity of a jurisdiction outside
registration standard means a registration standard developed by a National Board under section 38;
registration status, in relation to an applicant for registration, includes —
(a)any undertakings given by the applicant to a registration authority, whether before or after the commencement of this Law; and
(b)any conditions previously imposed on the applicant’s registration by a registration authority, whether before or after the commencement of this Law; and
(c)any decisions made by a registration authority, a tribunal, a court or another entity having functions relating to the regulation of health practitioners about the applicant’s practice of the profession, whether before or after the commencement of this Law; and
(d)any investigation commenced by a registration authority or a health complaints entity into the applicant’s conduct, performance or possible impairment but not finalised at the time of the application;
relevant action, for Part 8 Division 10, see section 178;
relevant fee, for a service provided by a National Board, means the fee —
(a)set under a health profession agreement between the Board and the National Agency for the service; and
(b)published on the Board’s website under section 26(3);
responsible Minister means a Minister responsible for the administration of this Law in a participating jurisdiction;
responsible tribunal means a tribunal or court that —
(a)is declared, by the Act applying this Law in a participating jurisdiction, to be the responsible tribunal for that jurisdiction for the purposes of this Law as applied in that jurisdiction; or
(b)is declared, by a law that substantially corresponds to this Law enacted in a participating jurisdiction, to be the responsible tribunal for that jurisdiction for the purposes of the law of that jurisdiction;
review period, for a condition or undertaking, means the period during which the condition may not be changed or removed, or the undertaking may not be changed or revoked, under section 125, 126 or 127;
scheduled medicine means a substance included in a Schedule to the current Poisons Standard within the meaning of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Commonwealth);
specialist health practitioner means a person registered under this Law in a recognised specialty;
specialist title, in relation to a recognised specialty, means a title that is approved by the Ministerial Council under section 13 as being a specialist title for that recognised specialty;
Specialists Register means a register kept by a National Board under section 223;
State or Territory Board has the meaning given by section 36;
student means a person whose name is entered in a student register as being currently registered under this Law;
student register, for a health profession, means a register kept under section 229 by the National Board established for the profession;
unprofessional conduct, of a registered health practitioner, means professional conduct that is of a lesser standard than that which might reasonably be expected of the health practitioner by the public or the practitioner’s professional peers, and includes —
(a)a contravention by the practitioner of this Law, whether or not the practitioner has been prosecuted for, or convicted of, an offence in relation to the contravention; and
(b)a contravention by the practitioner of —
(i)a condition to which the practitioner’s registration was subject; or
(ii)an undertaking given by the practitioner to the National Board that registers the practitioner;
and
(c)the conviction of the practitioner for an offence under another Act, the nature of which may affect the practitioner’s suitability to continue to practise the profession; and
(d)providing a person with health services of a kind that are excessive, unnecessary or otherwise not reasonably required for the person’s well‑being; and
(e)influencing, or attempting to influence, the conduct of another registered health practitioner in a way that may compromise patient care; and
(f)accepting a benefit as inducement, consideration or reward for referring another person to a health service provider or recommending another person use or consult with a health service provider; and
(g)offering or giving a person a benefit, consideration or reward in return for the person referring another person to the practitioner or recommending to another person that the person use a health service provided by the practitioner; and
(h)referring a person to, or recommending that a person use or consult, another health service provider, health service or health product if the practitioner has a pecuniary interest in giving that referral or recommendation, unless the practitioner discloses the nature of that interest to the person before or at the time of giving the referral or recommendation;
unsatisfactory professional performance, of a registered health practitioner, means the knowledge, skill or judgment possessed, or care exercised by, the practitioner in the practice of the health profession in which the practitioner is registered is below the standard reasonably expected of a health practitioner of an equivalent level of training or experience;
voluntary notification means a notification made under Part 8 Division 3.
Schedule 7 applies in relation to this Law.
(1)It is the intention of the Parliament of this jurisdiction that this Law as applied by an Act of this jurisdiction, together with this Law as applied by Acts of the other participating jurisdictions, has the effect that an entity established by this Law is one single national entity, with functions conferred by this Law as so applied.
(2)An entity established by this Law has power to do acts in or in relation to this jurisdiction in the exercise of a function expressed to be conferred on it by this Law as applied by Acts of each participating jurisdiction.
(3)An entity established by this Law may exercise its functions in relation to —
(a)one participating jurisdiction; or
(b)2 or more or all participating jurisdictions collectively.
(4)In this section, a reference to this Law as applied by an Act of a jurisdiction includes a reference to a law that substantially corresponds to this Law enacted in a jurisdiction.
8.Extraterritorial operation of Law
It is the intention of the Parliament of this jurisdiction that the operation of this Law is to, as far as possible, include operation in relation to the following —
(a)things situated in or outside the territorial limits of this jurisdiction;
(b)acts, transactions and matters done, entered into or occurring in or outside the territorial limits of this jurisdiction;
(c)things, acts, transactions and matters (wherever situated, done, entered into or occurring) that would, apart from this Law, be governed or otherwise affected by the law of another jurisdiction.
9.Trans‑Tasman mutual recognition principle
This Law does not affect the operation of an Act of a participating jurisdiction providing for the application of the Trans‑Tasman mutual recognition principle to occupations.
(1)This Law binds the State.
(2)In this section —
State means the Crown in right of this jurisdiction, and includes —
(a)the Government of this jurisdiction; and
(b)a Minister of the Crown in right of this jurisdiction; and
(c)a statutory corporation, or other entity, representing the Crown in right of this jurisdiction.
(1)The Ministerial Council may give directions to the National Agency about the policies to be applied by the National Agency in exercising its functions under this Law.
(2)The Ministerial Council may give directions to a National Board about the policies to be applied by the National Board in exercising its functions under this Law.
(3)Without limiting subsections (1) and (2), a direction under this section may relate to —
(a)a matter relevant to the policies of the National Agency or a National Board; or
(b)an administrative process of the National Agency or a National Board; or
(c)a procedure of the National Agency or a National Board; or
(d)a particular proposed accreditation standard, or a particular proposed amendment of an accreditation standard, for a health profession.
(4)However, the Ministerial Council may give a National Board a direction under subsection (3)(d) only if —
(a)in the Council’s opinion, the proposed accreditation standard or amendment will have a substantive and negative impact on the recruitment or supply of health practitioners; and
(b)the Council has first given consideration to the potential impact of the Council’s direction on the quality and safety of health care.
(5)A direction under this section cannot be about —
(a)a particular person; or
(b)a particular qualification; or
(c)a particular application, notification or proceeding.
(6)The National Agency or a National Board must comply with a direction given to it by the Ministerial Council under this section.
12.Approval of registration standards
(1)The Ministerial Council may approve a registration standard about —
(a)the registration, or renewal of registration, of persons in a health profession; or
(b)the endorsement, or renewal of the endorsement, of the registration of registered health practitioners.
(2)The Ministerial Council may approve a registration standard for a health profession only if —
(a)its approval is recommended by the National Board established for the health profession; and
(b)it does not provide for a matter about which an accreditation standard may provide.
Note:An accreditation standard for a health profession is a standard used to assess whether a programme of study, and the education provider that provides the programme, provide persons who complete the programme with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes to practise the profession in Australia. Accreditation standards are developed and approved under Division 3 of Part 6.
(3)The Ministerial Council may, at any time, ask a National Board to review an approved or proposed registration standard for the health profession for which the National Board is established.
13.Approvals in relation to specialist registration
(1)The following health professions, or divisions of health professions, are health professions for which specialist recognition operates under this Law —
(a)the medical profession;
(b)the dentists division of the dental profession;
(c)any other health profession approved by the Ministerial Council, on the recommendation of the National Board established for the profession.
(2)If a health profession is a profession for which specialist recognition operates, the Ministerial Council may, on the recommendation of the National Board established for the profession —
(a)approve a list of specialties for the profession; and
(b)approve one or more specialist titles for each specialty in the list.
(3)In making a recommendation to the Ministerial Council for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) or (2), a National Board established for a health profession may have regard to any relevant advice provided by —
(a)an accreditation authority for the profession; or
(b)a specialist college for the profession.
(4)The Ministerial Council may provide guidance to a National Board established for a health profession for which specialist recognition will operate in relation to the criteria for the approval of specialties for the profession by the Council.
14.Approval of endorsement in relation to scheduled medicines
(1)The Ministerial Council may, on the recommendation of a National Board, decide that the Board may endorse the registration of health practitioners practising the profession for which the Board is established as being qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines.
Note:See section 94 which provides for the endorsement of health practitioners’ registration in relation to scheduled medicines.
(2)An approval under subsection (1) is to specify —
(a)the class of health practitioners registered by the Board to which the approval relates; and
(b)whether the National Board may endorse the registration of the class of health practitioners as being qualified in relation to a particular scheduled medicine or a class of scheduled medicines; and
(c)whether the National Board may endorse the registration of the class of health practitioners in relation to administering, obtaining, possessing, prescribing, selling, supplying or using the scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines.
15.Approval of areas of practice for purposes of endorsement
The Ministerial Council may, on the recommendation of a National Board, approve an area of practice in the health profession for which the Board is established as being an area of practice for which the registration of a health practitioner registered in the profession may be endorsed.
Note:See section 98 which provides for the endorsement of health practitioners’ registration in relation to approved areas of practice.
16.How Ministerial Council exercises functions
(1)The Ministerial Council is to give a direction or approval, or make a recommendation, request or appointment, for the purposes of a provision of this Law by resolution of the Council passed in accordance with procedures determined by the Council.
(2)An act or thing done by the Ministerial Council (whether by resolution, instrument or otherwise) does not cease to have effect merely because of a change in the Council’s membership.
17.Notification and publication of directions and approvals
(1)A copy of any direction given by the Ministerial Council to the National Agency —
(a)is to be given to the Chairperson of the Agency Management Committee; and
(b)must be published by the National Agency on its website as soon as practicable after being received by the Chairperson.
(2)A copy of a direction or approval given by the Ministerial Council to a National Board —
(a)is to be given to the Chairperson of the National Board; and
(b)if the direction is given under section 11(3)(d), is to include reasons for the direction; and
(c)must be published by the National Board on its website as soon as practicable after being received by the Chairperson.
(3)A copy of a direction or approval given by the Ministerial Council to the National Agency or to a National Board is to be published in the annual report of the National Agency.
Part 3 — Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council
18.Establishment of Advisory Council
The Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council is established.
19.Function of Advisory Council
(1)The function of the Advisory Council is to provide independent advice to the Ministerial Council about the following —
(a)any matter relating to the national registration and accreditation scheme that is referred to it by the Ministerial Council;
(b)if asked by the Ministerial Council, any matter relating to the national registration and accreditation scheme on which the Ministerial Council has been unable to reach a decision;
(c)any other matter relating to the national registration and accreditation scheme that it considers appropriate.
(2)Advice under this section cannot be about —
(a)a particular person; or
(b)a particular qualification; or
(c)a particular application, notification or proceeding.
(1)The Ministerial Council is to make arrangements for the publication of advice given to it by the Advisory Council as soon as practicable after the Ministerial Council has had the opportunity to consider the advice, in accordance with the COAG Agreement.
(2)However, the Ministerial Council may decide not to publish an advice or part of an advice if the Advisory Council recommends that the Council not publish it in the interests of protecting the privacy of any person.
The Advisory Council has the powers necessary to enable it to exercise its function.
22.Membership of Advisory Council
(1)The Advisory Council is to consist of 7 members.
(2)Members of the Advisory Council are to be appointed by the Ministerial Council.
(3)One of the members of the Advisory Council is to be appointed as Chairperson, being a person who —
(a)is not a registered health practitioner; and
(b)has not been registered as a health practitioner under this Law or a corresponding prior Act within the last 5 years.
(4)At least 3 of the other members of the Advisory Council are to be persons who have expertise in health, or education and training, or both.
(5)Schedule 1 sets out provisions relating to the Advisory Council.
Part 4 — Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(1)The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is established.
(2)The National Agency —
(a)is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and
(b)has a common seal; and
(c)may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(3)The National Agency represents the State.
(4)Schedule 3 sets out provisions relating to the National Agency.
24.General powers of National Agency
The National Agency has all the powers of an individual and, in particular, may —
(a)enter into contracts; and
(b)acquire, hold, dispose of, and deal with, real and personal property; and
(c)do anything necessary or convenient to be done in the exercise of its functions.
25.Functions of National Agency
The functions of the National Agency are as follows —
(a)to provide administrative assistance and support to the National Boards, and the Boards’ committees, in exercising their functions;
(b)in consultation with the National Boards, to develop and administer procedures for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the National Boards;
(c)to establish procedures for the development of accreditation standards, registration standards and codes and guidelines approved by National Boards, for the purpose of ensuring the national registration and accreditation scheme operates in accordance with good regulatory practice;
(d)to negotiate in good faith with, and attempt to come to an agreement with, each National Board on the terms of a health profession agreement;
(e)to establish and administer an efficient procedure for receiving and dealing with applications for registration as a health practitioner and other matters relating to the registration of registered health practitioners;
(f)in conjunction with the National Boards, to keep up‑to‑date and publicly accessible national registers of registered health practitioners for each health profession;
(g)in conjunction with the National Boards, to keep up‑to‑date national registers of students for each health profession;
(h)to keep an up‑to‑date and publicly accessible list of approved programmes of study for each health profession;
(i)to establish an efficient procedure for receiving and dealing with notifications against persons who are or were registered health practitioners and persons who are students, including by establishing a national process for receiving notifications about registered health practitioners in all professions;
(j)to provide advice to the Ministerial Council in connection with the administration of the national registration and accreditation scheme;
(k)if asked by the Ministerial Council, to give to the Ministerial Council the assistance or information reasonably required by the Ministerial Council in connection with the administration of the national registration and accreditation scheme;
(l)any other function given to the National Agency by or under this Law.
26.Health profession agreements
(1)The National Agency must enter into an agreement (a health profession agreement) with a National Board that makes provision for the following —
(a)the fees that will be payable under this Law by health practitioners and others in respect of the health profession for which the Board is established (including arrangements relating to refunds of fees, waivers of fees and additional fees for late payment);
(b)the annual budget of the National Board (including the funding arrangements for its committees and accreditation authorities);
(c)the services to be provided to the National Board by the National Agency to enable the National Board to carry out its functions under this Law.
(2)If the National Agency and a National Board are unable to agree on a matter relating to a health profession agreement or a proposed health profession agreement, the Ministerial Council may give directions to the National Agency and National Board about how the dispute is to be resolved.
(3)Each National Board must publish on its website the fees for which provision has been made in a health profession agreement between the Board and the National Agency.
27.Cooperation with participating jurisdictions and Commonwealth
(1)The National Agency may exercise any of its functions in cooperation with or with the assistance of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth, including in cooperation with or with the assistance of any of the following —
(a)a government agency of a participating jurisdiction or of the Commonwealth;
(b)a local registration authority;
(c)a co‑regulatory authority;
(d)a health complaints entity;
(e)an educational body or other body established by or under a law of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth.
(2)In particular, the National Agency may —
(a)ask an entity referred to in subsection (1) for information that the Agency requires to exercise its functions under this Law; and
(b)use the information to exercise its functions under this Law.
(3)An entity referred to in subsection (1) that receives a request for information from the National Agency is authorised to give the information to the National Agency.
(1)The National Agency is to establish a national office.
(2)The National Agency is also to establish at least one local office in each participating jurisdiction.
Division 2 — Agency Management Committee
29.Agency Management Committee
(1)The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Management Committee is established.
(2)The Agency Management Committee is to consist of at least 5 members appointed by the Ministerial Council.
(3)Of the members —
(a)one is to be a person appointed by the Ministerial Council as Chairperson, being a person who —
(i)is not a registered health practitioner; and
(ii)has not been registered as a health practitioner under this Law or a corresponding prior Act within the last 5 years;
and
(b)at least 2 others are to be persons who have expertise in health, or education and training, or both; and
(c)at least 2 others are to be persons who are not current or former registered health practitioners and who have business or administrative expertise.
(4)Schedule 2 sets out provisions relating to the Agency Management Committee.
30.Functions of Agency Management Committee
(1)The functions of the Agency Management Committee are as follows —
(a)subject to any directions of the Ministerial Council, to decide the policies of the National Agency;
(b)to ensure that the National Agency performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way;
(c)any other function given to the Committee by or under this Law.
(2)The affairs of the National Agency are to be controlled by the Agency Management Committee and all acts and things done in the name of, or on behalf of, the National Agency by or with the authority of the Agency Management Committee are taken to have been done by the National Agency.
31.Establishment of National Boards
(1)Each of the following National Health Practitioner Boards is established for the health profession listed beside that Board in the following Table —
Table — National Boards
|
Name of Board |
Health profession |
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice |
|
Chinese Medicine Board of |
Chinese medicine |
|
Chiropractic Board of |
chiropractic |
|
Dental Board of |
dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist or oral health therapist) |
|
Medical Board of |
medical |
|
Medical Radiation Practice Board of |
medical radiation practice |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of |
nursing and midwifery |
|
Occupational Therapy Board of |
occupational therapy |
|
Optometry Board of |
optometry |
|
Osteopathy Board of |
osteopathy |
|
Pharmacy Board of |
pharmacy |
|
Physiotherapy Board of |
physiotherapy |
|
Podiatry Board of |
podiatry |
|
Psychology Board of |
psychology |
(2)A National Board —
(a)is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and
(b)has a common seal; and
(c)may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(3)A National Board represents the State.
(1)Subject to subsection (2), a National Board has the powers necessary to enable it to exercise its functions.
(2)A National Board does not have power to —
(a)enter into contracts; or
(b)employ staff; or
(c)acquire, hold, dispose of, and deal with, real property.
(3)The National Board may exercise any of its functions in cooperation with or with the assistance of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth, including in cooperation with or with the assistance of any of the following —
(a)a government agency of a participating jurisdiction or of the Commonwealth;
(b)a local registration authority;
(c)a co‑regulatory authority;
(d)a health complaints entity;
(e)an educational body or other body established by or under a law of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth.
(4)In particular, the National Board may —
(a)ask an entity referred to in subsection (3) for information that the Board requires to exercise its functions under this Law; and
(b)use the information to exercise its functions under this Law.
(5)An entity referred to in subsection (3) that receives a request for information from the National Board is authorised to give the information to the National Board.
33.Membership of National Boards
(1)A National Board is to consist of members appointed in writing by the Ministerial Council.
(2)Members of a National Board are to be appointed as practitioner members or community members.
(3)Subject to this section, the Ministerial Council may decide the size and composition of a National Board.
(4)At least half, but not more than two‑thirds, of the members of a National Board must be persons appointed as practitioner members.
(5)The practitioner members of a National Board must consist of —
(a)at least one member from each large participating jurisdiction; and
(b)at least one member from a small participating jurisdiction.
(6)At least 2 of the members of a National Board must be persons appointed as community members.
(7)At least one of the members of a National Board must live in a regional or rural area.
(8)A person cannot be appointed as a member of a National Board if the person is a member of the Agency Management Committee.
(9)One of the practitioner members of the National Board is to be appointed as Chairperson of the Board by the Ministerial Council.
(10)Schedule 4 sets out provisions relating to a National Board.
(11)In this section —
large participating jurisdiction means any of the following States that is a participating jurisdiction —
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
small participating jurisdiction means any of the following States or Territories that is a participating jurisdiction —
(a)the
(b)the
(c)
34.Eligibility for appointment
(1)In deciding whether to appoint a person as a member of a National Board, the Ministerial Council is to have regard to the skills and experience of the person that are relevant to the Board’s functions.
(2)A person is eligible to be appointed as a practitioner member only if the person is a registered health practitioner in the health profession for which the Board is established.
(3)A person is eligible to be appointed as a community member of a National Board only if the person —
(a)is not a registered health practitioner in the health profession for which the Board is established; and
(b)has not at any time been registered as a health practitioner in the health profession under this Law or a corresponding prior Act.
(4)A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of a National Board if —
(a)in the case of appointment as a practitioner member, the person has ceased to be registered as a health practitioner in the health profession for which the Board is established, whether before or after the commencement of this Law, as a result of the person’s misconduct, impairment or incompetence; or
(b)in any case, the person has, at any time, been found guilty of an offence (whether in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere) that, in the opinion of the Ministerial Council, renders the person unfit to hold the office of member.
Division 2 — Functions of National Boards
35.Functions of National Boards
(1)The functions of a National Board established for a health profession are as follows —
(a)to register suitably qualified and competent persons in the health profession and, if necessary, to impose conditions on the registration of persons in the profession;
(b)to decide the requirements for registration or endorsement of registration in the health profession, including the arrangements for supervised practice in the profession;
(c)to develop or approve standards, codes and guidelines for the health profession, including —
(i)the approval of accreditation standards developed and submitted to it by an accreditation authority; and
(ii)the development of registration standards for approval by the Ministerial Council; and
(iii)the development and approval of codes and guidelines that provide guidance to health practitioners registered in the profession;
(d)to approve accredited programmes of study as providing qualifications for registration or endorsement in the health profession;
(e)to oversee the assessment of the knowledge and clinical skills of overseas trained applicants for registration in the health profession whose qualifications are not approved qualifications for the profession, and to determine the suitability of the applicants for registration in Australia;
(f)to negotiate in good faith with, and attempt to come to an agreement with, the National Agency on the terms of a health profession agreement;
(g)to oversee the receipt, assessment and investigation of notifications about persons who —
(i)are or were registered as health practitioners in the health profession under this Law or a corresponding prior Act; or
(ii)are students in the health profession;
(h)to establish panels to conduct hearings about —
(i)health and performance and professional standards matters in relation to persons who are or were registered in the health profession under this Law or a corresponding prior Act; and
(ii)health matters in relation to students registered by the Board;
(i)to refer matters about health practitioners who are or were registered under this Law or a corresponding prior Act to responsible tribunals for participating jurisdictions;
(j)to oversee the management of health practitioners and students registered in the health profession, including monitoring conditions, undertaking and suspensions imposed on the registration of the practitioners or students;
(k)to make recommendations to the Ministerial Council about the operation of specialist recognition in the health profession and the approval of specialties for the profession;
(l)in conjunction with the National Agency, to keep up‑to‑date and publicly accessible national registers of registered health practitioners for the health profession;
(m)in conjunction with the National Agency, to keep an up‑to‑date national register of students for the health profession;
(n)at the Board’s discretion, to provide financial or other support for health programmes for registered health practitioners and students;
(o)to give advice to the Ministerial Council on issues relating to the national registration and accreditation scheme for the health profession;
(p)if asked by the Ministerial Council, to give to the Ministerial Council the assistance or information reasonably required by the Ministerial Council in connection with the national registration and accreditation scheme;
(q)to do anything else necessary or convenient for the effective and efficient operation of the national registration and accreditation scheme;
(r)any other function given to the Board by or under this Law.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(g) to (j), the Board’s functions do not include receiving notifications and taking action referred to in those paragraphs in relation to behaviour by a registered health practitioner or student that occurred, or is reasonably believed to have occurred, in a co‑regulatory jurisdiction.
(1)A National Board may establish a committee (a State or Territory Board) for a participating jurisdiction to enable the Board to exercise its functions in the jurisdiction in a way that provides an effective and timely local response to health practitioners and other persons in the jurisdiction.
(2)A State or Territory Board is to be known as the “[Name of participating jurisdiction for which it is established] Board” of the National Board.
(3)The members of a State or Territory Board are to be appointed by the responsible Minister for the participating jurisdiction.
Example:
(a)The Pharmacy Board of Australia decides to establish a State or Territory Board for New South Wales. The State or Territory Board will be known as the New South Wales Board of the Pharmacy Board of Australia. The members of the State or Territory Board will be appointed by the responsible Minister for New South Wales.
(b)The Podiatry Board of Australia decides to establish a State or Territory Board for Queensland and the Northern Territory. The State or Territory Board will be known as the Queensland and Northern Territory Board of the Podiatry Board of Australia. The members of the State or Territory Board will be appointed jointly by the responsible Ministers for Queensland and the Northern Territory.
(4)In deciding whether to appoint a person as a member of a State or Territory Board, the responsible Minister is to have regard to the skills and experience of the person that are relevant to the Board’s functions.
(5)At least half, but not more than two‑thirds, of the members of a State or Territory Board must be persons appointed as practitioner members.
(6)At least 2 of the members of a State or Territory Board must be persons appointed as community members.
Note:See section 299 which provides that subsections (5) and (6) do not apply to a State or Territory Board for a jurisdiction for the first 12 months after the jurisdiction becomes a participating jurisdiction.
(7)Before a responsible Minister appoints a member of a State or Territory Board the vacancy to be filled is to be publicly advertised.
(8)The National Agency may assist a responsible Minister in the process of appointing members of a State or Territory Board, including in the advertising of vacancies.
(9)It is not necessary to advertise a vacancy in the membership of a State or Territory Board before appointing a person to act in the office of a member.
Note:The general interpretation provisions applicable to this Law under section 6 confer power to appoint acting members of a State or Territory Board.
(10)This section does not limit Schedule 4 clause 11.
Note:Schedule 4 clause 11 confers power for the establishment of other committees.
(1)A National Board may delegate any of its functions, other than this power of delegation, to —
(a)a committee; or
(b)the National Agency; or
(c)a member of the staff of the National Agency; or
(d)a person engaged as a contractor by the National Agency.
(2)The National Agency may subdelegate any function delegated to the National Agency by a National Board to a member of the staff of the National Agency.
Division 3 — Registration standards and codes and guidelines
38.National Board must develop registration standards
(1)A National Board must develop and recommend to the Ministerial Council one or more registration standards about the following matters for the health profession for which the Board is established —
(a)requirements for professional indemnity insurance arrangements for registered health practitioners registered in the profession;
(b)matters about the criminal history of applicants for registration in the profession, and registered health practitioners and students registered by the Board, including, the matters to be considered in deciding whether an individual’s criminal history is relevant to the practice of the profession;
(c)requirements for continuing professional development for registered health practitioners registered in the profession;
(d)requirements about the English language skills necessary for an applicant for registration in the profession to be suitable for registration in the profession;
(e)requirements in relation to the nature, extent, period and recency of any previous practice of the profession by applicants for registration in the profession.
(2)Subject to subsection (3), a National Board may also develop, and recommend to the Ministerial Council, one or more registration standards about the following —
(a)the physical and mental health of —
(i)applicants for registration in the profession; and
(ii)registered health practitioners and students;
(b)the scope of practice of health practitioners registered in the profession;
(c)any other issue relevant to the eligibility of individuals for registration in the profession or the suitability of individuals to competently and safely practise the profession.
(3)A registration standard may not be about a matter for which an accreditation standard may provide.
Note:An accreditation standard for a health profession is used to assess whether a programme of study, and the education provider that provides the programme of study, provide persons who complete the programme with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes to practise the profession. Accreditation standards are developed and approved under Division 3 of Part 6.
A National Board may develop and approve codes and guidelines —
(a)to provide guidance to the health practitioners it registers; and
(b)about other matters relevant to the exercise of its functions.
Example: A National Board may develop guidelines about the advertising of regulated health services by health practitioners registered by the Board or other persons for the purposes of section 133.
40.Consultation about registration standards, codes and guidelines
(1)If a National Board develops a registration standard or a code or guideline, it must ensure there is wide‑ranging consultation about its content.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) does not invalidate a registration standard, code or guideline.
(3)The following must be published on a National Board’s website —
(a)a registration standard developed by the Board and approved by the Ministerial Council;
(b)a code or guideline approved by the National Board.
(4)An approved registration standard or a code or guideline takes effect —
(a)on the day it is published on the National Board’s website; or
(b)if a later day is stated in the registration standard, code or guideline, on that day.
41.Use of registration standards, codes or guidelines in disciplinary proceedings
An approved registration standard for a health profession, or a code or guideline approved by a National Board, is admissible in proceedings under this Law or a law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction against a health practitioner registered by the Board as evidence of what constitutes appropriate professional conduct or practice for the health profession.
42.Term used: accreditation function
In this Part —
accreditation function means —
(a)developing accreditation standards for approval by a National Board; or
(b)assessing programmes of study, and the education providers that provide the programmes of study, to determine whether the programmes meet approved accreditation standards; or
(c)assessing authorities in other countries who conduct examinations for registration in a health profession, or accredit programmes of study relevant to registration in a health profession, to decide whether persons who successfully complete the examinations or programmes of study conducted or accredited by the authorities have the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes necessary to practise the profession in Australia; or
(d)overseeing the assessment of the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes of overseas qualified health practitioners who are seeking registration in a health profession under this Law and whose qualifications are not approved qualifications for the health profession; or
(e)making recommendations and giving advice to a National Board about a matter referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Division 2 — Accreditation authorities
43.Accreditation authority to be decided
(1)The National Board established for a health profession must decide whether an accreditation function for the health profession for which the Board is established is to be exercised by —
(a)an external accreditation entity; or
(b)a committee established by the Board.
Note:See sections 253 and 301 which provide for the performance of accreditation functions for a health profession by external accreditation authorities appointed by the Ministerial Council for a period after the commencement of this Law.
(2)The National Agency may charge an entity the relevant fee for the exercise of an accreditation function by an accreditation committee.
44.National Agency may enter into contracts with external accreditation entities
The National Agency may enter into a contract with an external accreditation entity for the performance by the entity of an accreditation function for a health profession only if the terms of the contract are in accordance with the health profession agreement between the National Agency and the National Board established for that profession.
45.Accreditation processes to be published
Each accreditation authority must publish on its website or, if the authority is an accreditation committee, the website of the National Board that established the committee, how it will exercise its accreditation function.
Division 3 — Accreditation functions
46.Development of accreditation standards
(1)An accreditation standard for a health profession may be developed by —
(a)an external accreditation entity for the health profession; or
(b)an accreditation committee established by the National Board established for the health profession.
(2)In developing an accreditation standard for a health profession, an accreditation authority must undertake wide‑ranging consultation about the content of the standard.
47.Approval of accreditation standards
(1)An accreditation authority must, as soon as practicable after developing an accreditation standard for a health profession, submit it to the National Board established for the health profession.
(2)As soon as practicable after a National Board receives an accreditation standard under subsection (1), the Board must decide to —
(a)approve the accreditation standard; or
(b)refuse to approve the accreditation standard; or
(c)ask the accreditation authority to review the standard.
(3)If the National Board decides to approve the accreditation standard it must give written notice of the approval to —
(a)the National Agency; and
(b)the accreditation authority that submitted the standard to the Board.
(4)If the National Board decides to refuse to approve the accreditation standard —
(a)it must give written notice of the refusal, including the reasons for the refusal, to the accreditation authority that submitted the standard; and
(b)the accreditation authority is entitled to publish any information or advice it gave the Board about the standard.
(5)If the National Board decides to ask the accreditation authority to review the standard it must give the authority a written notice that —
(a)states that the authority is being asked to review the standard; and
(b)identifies the matters the authority is to address before again submitting the standard to the Board.
(6)An accreditation standard approved by a National Board must be published on its website.
(7)An accreditation standard takes effect —
(a)on the day it is published on the National Board’s website; or
(b)if a later day is stated in the standard, on that day.
48.Accreditation of programmes of study
(1)An accreditation authority for a health profession may accredit a programme of study if, after assessing the programme, the authority is reasonably satisfied —
(a)the programme of study, and the education provider that provides the programme of study, meet an approved accreditation standard for the profession; or
(b)the programme of study, and the education provider that provides the programme of study, substantially meet an approved accreditation standard for the profession and the imposition of conditions on the approval will ensure the programme meets the standard within a reasonable time.
(2)If the accreditation authority decides to accredit a programme of study, with or without conditions, it must give to the National Board established for the health profession a report about the authority’s accreditation of the programme.
(3)If the accreditation authority decides to refuse to accredit a programme of study it must give written notice of the decision to the education provider that provides the programme of study.
(4)The notice must state —
(a)the reasons for the decision; and
(b)that, within 30 days after receiving the notice, the education provider may apply to the accreditation authority for an internal review of the decision; and
(c)how the education provider may apply for the review.
(5)An education provider given a notice under subsection (3) may apply, as stated in the notice, for an internal review of the accreditation authority’s decision to refuse to accredit the programme of study.
(6)The internal review must not be carried out by a person who assessed the programme of study for the accreditation authority.
49.Approval of accredited programmes of study
(1)If a National Board is given a report by an accreditation authority about the authority’s accreditation of a programme of study, the Board may approve, or refuse to approve, the accredited programme of study as providing a qualification for the purposes of registration in the health profession for which the Board is established.
(2)An approval under subsection (1) may be granted subject to the conditions the National Board considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances.
(3)If the National Board decides to approve the accredited programme of study it must give written notice of the approval to —
(a)the National Agency for inclusion of the programme of study in the list under subsection (5); and
(b)the accreditation authority that submitted the programme to the Board.
(4)If the National Board decides to refuse to approve the accredited programme of study —
(a)it must give written notice of the refusal, including the reasons for the refusal, to the accreditation authority that submitted the programme; and
(b)the accreditation authority is entitled to publish any information or advice it gave the Board about the programme.
(5)A list of the programmes of study approved by a National Board as providing a qualification for registration in the health profession for which the Board is established must be published on the National Agency’s website.
(6)The list of approved programmes of study published under subsection (5) must include, for each programme of study, the name of the university, specialist medical or other college or other education provider that provides the approved programme of study.
(7)An approval under subsection (1) does not take effect until the programme of study is included in the list published under subsection (5).
50.Accreditation authority to monitor approved programmes of study
(1)The accreditation authority that accredited an approved programme of study must monitor the programme and the education provider that provides the programme to ensure the authority continues to be satisfied the programme and provider meet an approved accreditation standard for the health profession.
(2)If the accreditation authority reasonably believes the programme of study and education provider no longer meet an approved accreditation standard for the health profession, the accreditation authority must —
(a)decide to —
(i)impose the conditions on the accreditation that the accreditation authority considers necessary to ensure the programme of study will meet the standard within a reasonable time; or
(ii)revoke the accreditation of the programme of study;
and
(b)give the National Board that approved the accredited programme of study written notice of the accreditation authority’s decision.
51.Changes to approval of programme of study
(1)If a National Board is given notice under section 50(2)(b) that an accreditation authority has revoked the accreditation of a programme of study approved by the Board, the Board’s approval of the programme is taken to have been cancelled at the same time the accreditation was revoked.
(2)If a National Board reasonably believes, because of a notice given to the Board under section 50(2)(b) or for any other reason, that an accredited programme of study approved by the Board no longer provides a qualification for the purposes of registration in the health profession for which the Board is established, the Board may decide to —
(a)impose the conditions the Board considers necessary or desirable on the approval of the accredited programme of study to ensure the programme provides a qualification for the purposes of registration; or
(b)cancel its approval of the accredited programme of study.
(3)If a National Board makes a decision under subsection (2), it must give written notice of the decision, including the reasons for the decision, to the accreditation authority that accredited the programme.
Part 7 — Registration of health practitioners
Division 1 — General registration
52.Eligibility for general registration
(1)An individual is eligible for general registration in a health profession if —
(a)the individual is qualified for general registration in the health profession; and
(b)the individual has successfully completed —
(i)any period of supervised practice in the health profession required by an approved registration standard for the health profession; or
(ii)any examination or assessment required by an approved registration standard for the health profession to assess the individual’s ability to competently and safely practise the profession;
and
(c)the individual is a suitable person to hold general registration in the health profession; and
(d)the individual is not disqualified under this Law or a law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction from applying for registration, or being registered, in the health profession; and
(e)the individual meets any other requirements for registration stated in an approved registration standard for the health profession.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Board established for the health profession may decide the individual is eligible for general registration in the profession by imposing conditions on the registration under section 83.
53.Qualifications for general registration
An individual is qualified for general registration in a health profession if —
(a)the individual holds an approved qualification for the health profession; or
(b)the individual holds a qualification the National Board established for the health profession considers to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification; or
(c)the individual holds a qualification, not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), relevant to the health profession and has successfully completed an examination or other assessment required by the National Board for the purpose of general registration in the health profession; or
(d)the individual —
(i)holds a qualification, not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), that under this Law or a corresponding prior Act qualified the individual for general registration (however described) in the health profession; and
(ii)was previously registered under this Law or the corresponding prior Act on the basis of holding that qualification.
54.Examination or assessment for general registration
For the purposes of section 52(1)(b)(ii), if a National Board requires an individual to undertake an examination or assessment, the examination or assessment must be conducted by an accreditation authority for the health profession, unless the Board decides otherwise.
55.Unsuitability to hold general registration
(1)A National Board may decide an individual is not a suitable person to hold general registration in a health profession if —
(a)in the Board’s opinion, the individual has an impairment that would detrimentally affect the individual’s capacity to practise the profession to such an extent that it would or may place the safety of the public at risk; or
(b)having regard to the individual’s criminal history to the extent that is relevant to the individual’s practice of the profession, the individual is not, in the Board’s opinion, an appropriate person to practise the profession or it is not in the public interest for the individual to practise the profession; or
(c)the individual has previously been registered under a relevant law and during the period of that registration proceedings under Part 8, or proceedings that substantially correspond to proceedings under Part 8, were started against the individual but not finalised; or
(d)in the Board’s opinion, the individual’s competency in speaking or otherwise communicating in English is not sufficient for the individual to practise the profession; or
(e)the individual’s registration (however described) in the health profession in a jurisdiction that is not a participating jurisdiction, whether in Australia or elsewhere, is currently suspended or cancelled on a ground for which an adjudication body could suspend or cancel a health practitioner’s registration in Australia; or
(f)the nature, extent, period and recency of any previous practice of the profession is not sufficient to meet the requirements specified in an approved registration standard relevant to general registration in the profession; or
(g)the individual fails to meet any other requirement in an approved registration standard for the profession about the suitability of individuals to be registered in the profession or to competently and safely practise the profession; or
(h)in the Board’s opinion, the individual is for any other reason —
(i)not a fit and proper person for general registration in the profession; or
(ii)unable to practise the profession competently and safely.
(2)In this section —
relevant law means —
(a)this Law or a corresponding prior Act; or
(b)the law of another jurisdiction, whether in
56.Period of general registration
(1)The period of registration that is to apply to a health practitioner granted general registration in a health profession is the period (the registration period), not more than 12 months, decided by the National Board established for the profession and published on the Board’s website.
(2)If the National Board decides to register a health practitioner in the health profession during a registration period, the registration —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires at the end of the last day of the registration period.
Division 2 — Specialist registration
57.Eligibility for specialist registration
(1)An individual is eligible for specialist registration in a recognised specialty in a health profession if —
(a)the individual is qualified for registration in the specialty; and
(b)the individual has successfully completed —
(i)any period of supervised practice in the specialty required by an approved registration standard for the health profession; or
(ii)any examination or assessment required by an approved registration standard for the health profession to assess the individual’s ability to competently and safely practise the specialty;
and
(c)the individual is a suitable person to hold registration in the health profession; and
(d)the individual is not disqualified under this Law or a law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction from applying for registration, or being registered, in the specialty; and
(e)the individual meets any other requirements for registration stated in an approved registration standard for the specialty.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Board may decide the individual is eligible for registration in the recognised specialty by imposing conditions on the registration under section 83.
58.Qualifications for specialist registration
An individual is qualified for specialist registration in a recognised specialty in a health profession if the individual —
(a)holds an approved qualification for the specialty; or
(b)holds another qualification the National Board established for the health profession considers to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification for the specialty; or
(c)holds a qualification, not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), relevant to the specialty and has successfully completed an examination or other assessment required by the National Board for the purpose of registration in the specialty; or
(d)the individual —
(i)holds a qualification, not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), that under this Law or a corresponding prior Act qualified the individual for specialist registration (however described) in the specialty; and
(ii)was previously registered under this Law or the corresponding prior Act on the basis of holding that qualification for the specialty.
59.Examination or assessment for specialist registration
For the purposes of section 57(1)(b)(ii), if the National Board requires an individual to undertake an examination or assessment, the examination or assessment must be conducted by an accreditation authority for the health profession, unless the Board decides otherwise.
60.Unsuitability to hold specialist registration
(1)Section 55 applies to the making of a decision by a National Board that an individual is not a suitable person to hold specialist registration in a recognised specialty.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), a reference in section 55 to —
(a)general registration in the health profession is taken to be a reference to specialist registration in a recognised specialty; and
(b)the health profession is taken to be a reference to the recognised specialty.
61.Period of specialist registration
(1)The period of registration that is to apply to a health practitioner granted specialist registration in a recognised specialty in a health profession is the period (the registration period), not more than 12 months, decided by the National Board established for the profession and published on the Board’s website.
(2)If the National Board decides to register a health practitioner in a recognised specialty for the health profession during a registration period, the specialist registration —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires at the end of the last day of the registration period.
Division 3 — Provisional registration
62.Eligibility for provisional registration
(1)An individual is eligible for provisional registration in a health profession, to enable the individual to complete a period of supervised practice that the individual requires to be eligible for general registration in the health profession, if —
(a)the individual is qualified for general registration in the profession; and
(b)the individual is a suitable person to hold provisional registration in the profession; and
(c)the individual is not disqualified under this Law or a law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction from applying for, or being registered in, the profession; and
(d)the individual meets any other requirements for registration stated in an approved registration standard for the health profession.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Board established for the health profession may decide the individual is eligible for provisional registration in the health profession by imposing conditions on the registration under section 83.
63.Unsuitability to hold provisional registration
(1)Section 55 applies to a decision by a National Board that an individual is not a suitable person to hold provisional registration in a health profession.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), a reference in section 55 to general registration in the health profession is taken to be a reference to provisional registration in the health profession.
64.Period of provisional registration
(1)The period of registration (the registration period) that is to apply to a health practitioner granted provisional registration in a health profession is —
(a)the period decided by the National Board established for the profession, but not more than 12 months, and published on the Board’s website; or
(b)the longer period prescribed by a regulation.
(2)If the National Board decides to register a health practitioner in the health profession during a registration period, the registration —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires at the end of the last day of the registration period.
(3)Provisional registration may not be renewed more than twice.
Note:If an individual were not able to complete the supervised practice the individual requires for general registration in a health profession during the period consisting of the individual’s initial period of registration and 2 renewals of that registration, the individual would need to make a new application for provisional registration in the profession.
Division 4 — Limited registration
65.Eligibility for limited registration
(1)An individual is eligible for limited registration in a health profession if —
(a)the individual is not qualified for general registration in the profession or specialist registration in a recognised specialty in the profession; and
(b)the individual is qualified under this Division for limited registration; and
(c)the individual is a suitable person to hold limited registration in the profession; and
(d)the individual is not disqualified under this Law or a law of a co‑regulatory jurisdiction from applying for registration, or being registered, in the health profession; and
(e)the individual meets any other requirements for registration stated in an approved registration standard for the health profession.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Board established for the health profession may decide the individual is eligible for registration in the profession by imposing conditions on the registration under section 83.
66.Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice
(1)An individual may apply for limited registration to enable the individual to undertake a period of postgraduate training or supervised practice in a health profession, or to undertake assessment or sit an examination, approved by the National Board established for the profession.
(2)The individual is qualified for the limited registration applied for if the National Board is satisfied the individual has completed a qualification that is relevant to, and suitable for, the postgraduate training, supervised practice, assessment or examination.
67.Limited registration for area of need
(1)An individual may apply for limited registration to enable the individual to practise a health profession in an area of need decided by the responsible Minister under subsection (5).
(2)The individual is qualified for the limited registration applied for if the National Board is satisfied the individual’s qualifications and experience are relevant to, and suitable for, the practice of the profession in the area of need.
(3)The National Board must consider the application but is not required to register the individual merely because there is an area of need.
(4)If the National Board grants the individual limited registration to enable the individual to practise the profession in the area of need, the individual must not practise the profession other than in the area of need specified in the individual’s certificate of registration.
(5)A responsible Minister for a participating jurisdiction may decide there is an area of need for health services in the jurisdiction, or part of the jurisdiction, if the Minister considers there are insufficient health practitioners practising in a particular health profession in the jurisdiction or the part of the jurisdiction to provide services that meet the needs of people living in the jurisdiction or the part of the jurisdiction.
(6)If a responsible Minister decides there is an area of need under subsection (5), the responsible Minister must give the National Board established for the health profession written notice of the decision.
(7)A responsible Minister may delegate the Minister’s power under this section to an appropriately qualified person.
(8)In this section —
appropriately qualified means having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the power;
health services means the provision of services by health practitioners in a particular health profession.
68.Limited registration in public interest
(1)An individual may apply for limited registration to enable the individual to practise a health profession for a limited time, or for a limited scope, in the public interest.
(2)The individual is qualified for the limited registration applied for if the National Board established for the health profession is satisfied it is in the public interest for an individual with the individual’s qualifications and experience to practise the profession for that time or scope.
69.Limited registration for teaching or research
(1)An individual may apply for limited registration in a health profession to enable the individual to fill a teaching or research position.
(2)The individual is qualified for the limited registration applied for if the National Board established for the health profession is satisfied the individual’s qualifications are relevant to, and suitable for, the position.
70.Unsuitability to hold limited registration
(1)Section 55 applies to a decision by a National Board that an individual is not a suitable person to hold limited registration in a health profession.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), a reference in section 55 to general registration in the health profession is taken to be a reference to limited registration in the health profession.
71.Limited registration not to be held for more than one purpose
An individual may not hold limited registration in the same health profession for more than one purpose under this Division at the same time.
72.Period of limited registration
(1)The period of registration that is to apply to a health practitioner granted limited registration in a health profession is the period (the registration period), not more than 12 months, decided by the National Board established for the profession and published on the Board’s website.
(2)If the National Board decides to register a health practitioner in the health profession during a registration period, the registration —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires at the end of the last day of the registration period.
(3)Limited registration may not be renewed more than 3 times.
Note:If an individual had been granted limited registration in a health profession for a purpose under this Division, had subsequently renewed the registration in the profession for that purpose 3 times and at the end of the period wished to continue holding limited registration in the profession for that purpose, the individual would need to make a new application for limited registration in the profession for that purpose.
Division 5 — Non‑practicing registration
73.Eligibility for non‑practicing registration
An individual is eligible for non‑practicing registration in a health profession if —
(a)the individual —
(i)holds or has held general registration in the health profession under this Law; or
(ii)holds or has held specialist registration in a recognised specialty in the health profession under this Law; or
(iii)held registration in the health profession under a corresponding prior Act that was equivalent to general registration or specialist registration in the health profession under this Law;
and
(b)the individual is a suitable person to hold non‑practicing registration in the profession.
74.Unsuitability to hold non‑practicing registration
A National Board may decide an individual is not a suitable person to hold non‑practicing registration in a health profession if —
(a)having regard to the individual’s criminal history to the extent that is relevant to the individual’s practice of the profession, the individual is not, in the Board’s opinion, an appropriate person to hold registration in the profession or it is not in the public interest for the individual to hold registration in the profession; or
(b)in the Board’s opinion, the individual is for any other reason not a fit and proper person to hold non‑practicing registration in the profession.
75.Registered health practitioner who holds non‑practicing registration must not practise the profession
(1)A registered health practitioner who holds non‑practicing registration in a health profession must not practise the profession.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
76.Period of non‑practicing registration
(1)The period of registration that is to apply to a health practitioner granted non‑practicing registration in a health profession is the period (the registration period), not more than 12 months, decided by the National Board established for the profession and published on the Board’s website.
(2)If the National Board decides to register a health practitioner in the health profession during a registration period, the registration —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires at the end of the last day of the registration period.
Division 6 — Application for registration
77.Application for registration
(1)An individual may apply to a National Board for registration in the health profession for which the Board is established.
(2)An application must —
(a)be in the form approved by the National Board; and
(b)be accompanied by the relevant fee; and
(c)be accompanied by proof of the applicant’s identity; and
(d)be accompanied by any other information reasonably required by the Board.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2)(a), a form approved by a National Board for the purposes of that subsection must require an applicant —
(a)to provide a declaration about —
(i)the address at which the applicant will predominantly practise the profession; or
(ii)if the applicant will not be practising the profession or will not predominantly practise the profession at one address, the address that is the applicant’s principal place of residence;
and
(b)to provide an address to be used by the Board in corresponding with the applicant; and
(c)to disclose the applicant’s criminal history; and
(d)to authorise the Board to obtain the applicant’s criminal history.
Note:See the definition of criminal history which applies to offences in participating jurisdictions and elsewhere, including outside Australia.
(4)A criminal history law does not apply to the requirement under subsection (3)(c) for the applicant to disclose the applicant’s criminal history.
(5)Information in the application must, if the approved form requires, be verified by a statutory declaration.
78.Power to check applicant’s proof of identity
(1)If an applicant for registration gives a National Board a document as evidence of the applicant’s identity under this section, the Board may, by written notice, ask the entity that issued the document —
(a)to confirm the validity of the document; or
(b)to give the Board other information relevant to the applicant’s identity.
(2)An entity given a notice under subsection (1) is authorised to give the National Board the information requested in the notice.
79.Power to check applicant’s criminal history
(1)Before deciding an application for registration, a National Board must check the applicant’s criminal history.
(2)For the purposes of checking an applicant’s criminal history, a National Board may obtain a written report about the criminal history of the applicant from any of the following —
(a)CrimTrac;
(b)a police commissioner;
(c)an entity in a jurisdiction outside
(3)A criminal history law does not apply to a report about an applicant’s criminal history under subsection (2).
80.Boards’ other powers before deciding application for registration
(1)Before deciding an application for registration, a National Board may —
(a)investigate the applicant, including, for example, by asking an entity —
(i)to give the Board information about the applicant; or
(ii)to verify information or a document that relates to the applicant;
and
Examples: If the applicant is or has been registered by another registration authority, the National Board may ask the registration authority for information about the applicant’s registration status.
The National Board may ask an entity that issued qualifications that the applicant believes qualifies the applicant for registration for confirmation that the qualification was issued to the applicant.
(b)by written notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the Board, within a reasonable time stated in the notice, further information or a document the Board reasonably requires to decide the application; and
(c)by written notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to attend before the Board, within a reasonable time stated in the notice and at a reasonable place, to answer any questions of the Board relating to the application; and
(d)by written notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to undergo an examination or assessment, within a reasonable time stated in the notice and at a reasonable place, to assess the applicant’s ability to practise the health profession in which registration is sought; and
(e)by written notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to undergo a health assessment, within a reasonable time stated in the notice and at a reasonable place.
(2)The National Board may require the information or document referred to in subsection (1)(b) to be verified by a statutory declaration.
(3)If the National Board requires an applicant to undertake an examination or assessment under subsection (1)(d) to assess the applicant’s ability to practise the health profession —
(a)the examination or assessment must be conducted by an accreditation authority for the health profession, unless the Board decides otherwise; and
(b)the National Agency may require the applicant to pay the relevant fee.
(4)A notice under subsection (1)(d) or (e) must state —
(a)the reason for the examination or assessment; and
(b)the name and qualifications of the person appointed by the National Board to conduct the examination or assessment; and
(c)the place where, and the day and time at which, the examination or assessment is to be conducted.
(5)The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the application if, within the stated time, the applicant does not comply with a requirement under subsection (1).
81.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application or imposition of condition
(1)If, after considering an application for registration, a National Board is proposing to refuse to register the applicant or to register the applicant subject to a condition, the Board must give the applicant written notice of the proposal.
(2)The notice must —
(a)state the reasons for the proposal; and
(b)invite the applicant to make a written or verbal submission to the Board by the date stated in the notice, being not less than 30 days after the day the notice is given to the applicant, about the proposal.
(1)After considering an application for registration and any submissions made in accordance with a notice under section 81, a National Board established for a health profession must —
(a)decide to grant the applicant the type of registration in the health profession applied for if the applicant is eligible for that type of registration under a relevant section; or
(b)decide to grant the applicant a type of registration in the health profession, other than the type of registration applied for, for which the applicant is eligible under a relevant section; or
(c)decide to refuse to grant the applicant registration in the health profession if —
(i)the applicant is ineligible for registration in the profession under a relevant section because the applicant —
(I)is not qualified for registration; or
(II)has not completed a period of supervised practice in the health profession, or an examination or assessment required by the Board to assess the individual’s ability to practise the profession; or
(III)is not a suitable person to hold registration; or
(IV)is disqualified under this Law from applying for registration, or being registered, in the health profession; or
(V)does not meet a requirement for registration stated in an approved registration standard for the profession;
or
(ii)it would be improper to register the applicant because the applicant or someone else gave the National Board information or a document in relation to the application that was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2)In this section —
relevant section means section 52, 57, 62, 65 or 73.
(1)If a National Board decides to register a person in the health profession for which the Board is established, the registration is subject to any condition the Board considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances.
Note:A failure by a registered health practitioner to comply with a condition of the practitioner’s registration does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(2)If the National Board decides to register the person subject to a condition referred to in subsection (1), the Board must decide a review period for the condition.
84.Notice to be given to applicant
(1)Within 30 days after making the decision under section 82, the National Board must —
(a)give the applicant written notice of the Board’s decision; and
(b)if the Board decides to register the applicant, give the applicant a certificate of registration.
(2)If the Board decides not to register the applicant, or decides to register the applicant in a type of registration other than the registration applied for or subject to a condition, the notice under subsection (1)(a) must state —
(a)the reasons for the decision; and
(b)that the applicant may appeal against the decision; and
(c)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
85.Failure to decide application
If a National Board fails to decide an application for registration within 90 days after its receipt, or the longer period agreed between the Board and the applicant, the failure by the Board to make a decision is taken to be a decision to refuse to register the applicant.
Division 7 — Student registration
Subdivision 1 — Persons undertaking approved programmes of study
In this Subdivision —
approved programme of study, for a health profession, does not include an approved programme of study that provides a qualification for endorsement of registration in the profession but does not qualify a person for registration in the profession;
particulars means particulars required to be included in the student register.
87.National Board must register persons undertaking approved programme of study
(1)The National Board established for a health profession must decide whether persons who are undertaking an approved programme of study for the health profession must be registered —
(a)for the entire period during which the persons are enrolled in the approved programme of study; or
(b)for the period starting when the persons begin a particular part of the approved programme of study and ending when the persons complete, or otherwise cease to be enrolled in, the programme.
(2)In deciding whether to register persons undertaking an approved programme of study for the entire period of the programme of study or only part of the period, the National Board must have regard to —
(a)the likelihood that persons undertaking the approved programme of study will, in the course of undertaking the programme, have contact with members of the public; and
(b)if it is likely that the persons undertaking the approved programme of study will have contact with members of the public —
(i)when in the approved programme of study it is likely the persons will have contact with members of the public; and
(ii)the potential risk that contact may pose to members of the public.
88.National Board may ask education provider for list of persons undertaking approved programme of study
(1)For the purposes of registering persons as required by section 87, a National Board may, at any time by written notice given to an education provider, ask the provider for the following —
(a)the particulars of all persons who are undertaking an approved programme of study for the health profession for which the Board is established;
(b)the particulars of all persons who will be undertaking the part of the approved programme of study specified in the notice.
(2)An education provider given a notice under subsection (1) must not fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the notice.
(3)A contravention of subsection (2) does not constitute an offence.
(4)However, if an education provider does not comply with a notice under subsection (1) —
(a)the National Board that gave the education provider the notice must publish details of the failure to comply with the notice on the Board’s website; and
(b)the National Agency may, on the recommendation of the National Board, include a statement about the failure to comply with the notice in the Agency’s annual report.
(1)On receipt of the particulars of persons undertaking an approved programme of study, or part of an approved programme of study, under section 88 —
(a)the National Board may register the persons as students in the health profession by entering the persons’ particulars in the student register kept by the Board; or
(b)the National Board may —
(i)by written notice given to each person, require the person to complete an application for registration as a student in the form approved by the National Board; and
(ii)on receipt of the person’s application form, register the person as a student in the health profession by entering the person’s particulars in the student register kept by the Board.
(2)The National Board must not register a person as a student if the person is undertaking an approved programme of study for a health profession in which the person already holds registration under Division 6.
(3)The National Board must not require a person to pay a fee for registration as a student.
(4)As soon as practicable after registering a person as a student, a National Board must give written notice of the registration to —
(a)the education provider that provided the student’s particulars to the Board; and
(b)if the Board required the person to complete an application form for registration, the student.
(5)As soon as practicable after receiving notice that a student has been registered under subsection (1)(a), the education provider must give written notice of the registration to the student.
90.Period of student registration
The period of registration for a student —
(a)starts when the student is registered under section 89; and
(b)expires at the end of the day on which the student completes, or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in, the approved programme of study.
Subdivision 2 — Other persons to be registered as students
91.Education provider to provide lists of persons
(1)If an education provider arranges clinical training in a health profession for a person who is not enrolled in an approved programme of study for the profession, the education provider must give the National Board established for the profession written notice about the arrangement.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is a registered health practitioner who is registered in the health profession in which the clinical training is being undertaken.
(3)A notice under subsection (1) must include —
(a)the particulars of the person undertaking the clinical training; and
(b)particulars of the arrangement for the person to undertake the clinical training.
(4)On receipt of a notice under subsection (1) —
(a)the National Board may register the persons as students in the health profession by entering the persons’ particulars in the student register kept by the Board; or
(b)the National Board may —
(i)by written notice given to each person, require the person to complete an application for registration as a student in the form approved by the National Board; and
(ii)on receipt of the person’s application form, register the person as a student in the health profession by entering the person’s particulars in the student register kept by the Board.
(5)As soon as practicable after registering a person as a student under subsection (4), a National Board must give written notice of the registration to the education provider that provided the student’s particulars to the Board.
(6)The National Board must not require a person to pay a fee for registration as a student.
(7)A student’s period of registration under this section —
(a)starts when the student is registered under subsection (4); and
(b)expires at the end of the day on which the person completes, or otherwise ceases to undertake, the period of clinical training.
Subdivision 3 — General provisions applicable to students
92.Notice to be given if student registration suspended or condition imposed
(1)This section applies if, at any time, any of the following events occurs —
(a)a person’s registration as a student under this Law is suspended;
(b)a condition is imposed on a person’s registration as a student under this Law or a condition to which a person’s registration is subject is changed or removed;
(c)a National Board accepts an undertaking from a person who is a student.
(2)The National Board that registered the person must, as soon as practicable after the event occurs, give written notice of the event to the education provider with which the person is undertaking the approved programme of study.
(3)If an education provider is given a notice under subsection (2) about a person, the education provider must, as soon as practicable after receiving the notice, give notice of the event to any entity with whom the person is undertaking training as part of the approved programme of study.
93.Report to National Board of cessation of status as student
(1)This section applies if —
(a)a student completes, or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in, an approved programme of study for a health profession provided by an education provider; or
(b)a student completes, or otherwise ceases to undertake, clinical training in a health profession arranged by an education provider.
(2)The education provider must give written notice of the student ceasing to be enrolled in the programme of study, or to undertake the clinical training, to the National Board established for the health profession within 60 days of it occurring.
(3)A contravention of subsection (2) does not constitute an offence.
(4)However, if an education provider contravenes subsection (2) —
(a)the National Board must publish details of the contravention on the Board’s website; and
(b)the National Agency may, on the recommendation of the National Board, include a statement about the contravention in the Agency’s annual report.
Division 8 — Endorsement of registration
Subdivision 1 — Endorsement in relation to scheduled medicines
94.Endorsement for scheduled medicines
(1)A National Board may, in accordance with an approval given by the Ministerial Council under section 14, endorse the registration of a registered health practitioner registered by the Board as being qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines if the practitioner —
(a)holds either of the following qualifications relevant to the endorsement —
(i)an approved qualification;
(ii)another qualification that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially equivalent to, or based on similar competencies to, an approved qualification;
and
(b)complies with any approved registration standard relevant to the endorsement.
Note:The endorsement of a health practitioner’s registration under this section indicates the practitioner is qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use the scheduled medicine or class of medicines specified in the endorsement but does not authorise the practitioner to do so. The authorisation of a health practitioner to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use scheduled medicines in a participating jurisdiction will be provided for by or under another Act of that jurisdiction.
Health practitioners registered in certain health professions will be authorised to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use scheduled medicines by or under an Act of a participating jurisdiction without the need for the health practitioners to hold an endorsement under this Law.
(2)An endorsement under subsection (1) must state —
(a)the scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines to which the endorsement relates; and
(b)whether the registered health practitioner is qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use the scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines; and
(c)if the endorsement is for a limited period, the date the endorsement expires.
Subdivision 2 — Endorsement in relation to nurse practitioners
95.Endorsement as nurse practitioner
(1)The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia may endorse the registration of a registered health practitioner whose name is included in the Register of Nurses as being qualified to practise as a nurse practitioner if the practitioner —
(a)holds either of the following qualifications relevant to the endorsement —
(i)an approved qualification;
(ii)another qualification that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially equivalent to, or based on similar competencies to, an approved qualification;
and
(b)complies with any approved registration standard relevant to the endorsement.
(2)An endorsement under subsection (1) must state —
(a)that the registered health practitioner is entitled to use the title “nurse practitioner”; and
(b)any conditions applicable to the practice by the registered health practitioner as a nurse practitioner.
Subdivision 3 — Endorsement in relation to midwife practitioners
96.Endorsement as midwife practitioner
(1)The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia may endorse the registration of a registered health practitioner whose name is included in the Register of Midwives as being qualified to practise as a midwife practitioner if the practitioner —
(a)holds either of the following qualifications relevant to the endorsement —
(i)an approved qualification;
(ii)another qualification that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially equivalent to, or based on similar competencies to, an approved qualification;
and
(b)complies with any approved registration standard relevant to the endorsement.
(2)An endorsement under subsection (1) must state —
(a)that the registered health practitioner is entitled to use the title “midwife practitioner”; and
(b)any conditions applicable to the practice by the registered health practitioner as a midwife practitioner.
Subdivision 4 — Endorsement in relation to acupuncture
97.Endorsement for acupuncture
(1)A National Board may endorse the registration of a registered health practitioner registered by the Board as being qualified to practise as an acupuncturist if the practitioner —
(a)holds either of the following qualifications relevant to the endorsement —
(i)an approved qualification;
(ii)another qualification that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially equivalent to, or based on similar competencies to, an approved qualification;
and
(b)complies with an approved registration standard relevant to the endorsement.
(2)An endorsement under subsection (1) must state —
(a)that the registered health practitioner is entitled to use the title “acupuncturist”; and
(b)any conditions applicable to the practice of acupuncture by the registered health practitioner.
Subdivision 5 — Endorsements in relation to approved areas of practice
98.Endorsement for approved area of practice
(1)A National Board established for a health profession may, in accordance with an approval given by the Ministerial Council under section 15, endorse the registration of a registered health practitioner registered by the Board as being qualified to practise in an approved area of practice for the health profession if the practitioner —
(a)holds either of the following qualifications relevant to the endorsement —
(i)an approved qualification;
(ii)another qualification that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially equivalent to, or based on similar competencies to, an approved qualification;
and
(b)complies with an approved registration standard relevant to the endorsement.
(2)An endorsement under subsection (1) must state —
(a)the approved area of practice to which the endorsement relates; and
(b)any conditions applicable to the practice by the registered health practitioner in the approved area of practice.
Subdivision 6 — Application for endorsement
99.Application for endorsement
(1)An individual may apply to a National Board for endorsement of the individual’s registration.
(2)The application must —
(a)be in the form approved by the National Board; and
(b)be accompanied by the relevant fee; and
(c)be accompanied by any other information reasonably required by the Board.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(c), the information a National Board may require an applicant to provide includes —
(a)evidence of the qualifications in the health profession the applicant believes qualifies the applicant for endorsement; and
(b)evidence of successful completion of any period of supervised practice required by an approved registration standard; and
(c)if the applicant is required to complete an examination or assessment set by or on behalf of the Board, evidence of the successful completion of the examination or assessment.
100.Boards’ other powers before deciding application for endorsement
(1)Before deciding an application for endorsement, a National Board may —
(a)investigate the applicant, including, for example, by asking an entity —
(i)to give the Board information about the applicant; or
(ii)to verify information or a document that relates to the applicant;
or
(b)by written notice to the applicant, require the applicant to give the Board, within a reasonable time stated in the notice, further information or a document the Board reasonably requires to decide the application; or
(c)by written notice to the applicant, require the applicant to attend before the Board, within a reasonable time stated in the notice and at a reasonable place, to answer any questions of the Board relating to the application; or
(d)by written notice to the applicant, require the applicant to undergo a written, oral or practical examination, within a reasonable time stated in the notice and at a reasonable place.
(2)The purpose of an examination under subsection (1)(d) must be to assess the applicant’s ability to practise the health profession in accordance with the endorsement sought.
(3)The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the application if, within the stated time, the applicant does not comply with a requirement under subsection (1).
101.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application or imposition of condition
(1)If, after considering an application for endorsement of a registration, a National Board is proposing to refuse to endorse the applicant’s registration or to endorse the applicant’s registration subject to a condition, the Board must give the applicant written notice of the proposal.
(2)The notice must —
(a)state the reasons for the proposal; and
(b)invite the applicant to make a written or verbal submission to the Board by the date stated in the notice, being not less than 30 days after the day the notice is given to the applicant, about the proposal.
102.Decision about application
(1)After considering an application for endorsement and any submissions made in accordance with a notice under section 101, a National Board must decide to endorse, or refuse to endorse, the applicant’s registration as sought.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a National Board may refuse to endorse an applicant’s registration if —
(a)the applicant is not qualified for the endorsement under a relevant section; or
(b)the Board considers the applicant is not competent to practise the health profession in accordance with the endorsement sought.
(3)In this section —
relevant section means section 94, 95, 96, 97 or 98.
(1)If a National Board decides to endorse the applicant’s registration under section 102, the Board may decide to impose on the endorsement the conditions the Board considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances.
Note:A failure by a registered health practitioner to comply with a condition of the practitioner’s registration does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(2)If the National Board decides to impose a condition on the endorsement, the Board must also decide a review period for the condition.
104.Notice of decision to be given to applicant
(1)As soon as practicable after making the decision under section 102, the National Board must —
(a)give the applicant written notice of the Board’s decision; and
(b)if the Board decides to endorse the applicant’s registration, give the applicant a new certificate of registration.
(2)If the Board decides not to endorse the applicant’s registration or decides to endorse the applicant’s registration subject to a condition, the notice under subsection (1)(a) must state —
(a)the reasons for the decision; and
(b)that the applicant may appeal against the decision; and
(c)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
If a National Board decides to endorse a registered health practitioner’s registration, the endorsement —
(a)starts when the Board makes the decision; and
(b)expires when the practitioner’s registration ends.
106.Failure to decide application for endorsement
If a National Board fails to decide an application for endorsement within 90 days after its receipt, or the longer period agreed between the Board and the applicant, the failure by the Board to make a decision is taken to be a decision to refuse to endorse the applicant’s registration.
Division 9 — Renewal of registration
107.Application for renewal of registration or endorsement
(1)A registered health practitioner may apply to the National Board that registered the practitioner for renewal of the health practitioner’s registration.
(2)An application for renewal of a registered health practitioner’s registration must be made not later than one month after the practitioner’s period of registration ends.
(3)If the registered health practitioner’s registration has been endorsed by the National Board, the application for renewal of the practitioner’s registration is taken to also be an application for a renewal of the endorsement.
(4)The application for renewal of registration must —
(a)be in the form approved by the National Board; and
(b)be accompanied by the relevant fee; and
(c)if the application for renewal is made after the registered health practitioner’s period of registration ends, be accompanied by the relevant fee for a late application; and
(d)be accompanied by the annual statement required under section 109; and
(e)be accompanied by any other information reasonably required by the Board.
108.Registration taken to continue in force
(1)If a registered health practitioner applies under section 107 to renew the practitioner’s registration, the applicant’s registration, including any endorsement of the registration, is taken to continue in force from the day it would, apart from this section, have ended until —
(a)if the National Board decides to renew the applicant’s registration, the day a new certificate of registration is issued to the applicant; or
(b)if the National Board decides to refuse to renew the applicant’s registration, the day the applicant is given notice of the decision.
(2)If a health practitioner does not apply to renew the practitioner’s registration before the practitioner’s period of registration ends, the registration, including any endorsement of the registration, is taken to continue in force until —
(a)the end of the day that is one month after the day the period of registration would, apart from this subsection, have ended; or
(b)if the health practitioner applies for renewal of the registration not later than one month after the practitioner’s period of registration ends, the day referred to in subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(3)Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if the registration is earlier cancelled under this Law.
(1)An application for renewal of registration must include or be accompanied by a statement that includes the following —
(a)a declaration by the applicant that —
(i)the applicant does not have an impairment; and
(ii)the applicant has met any recency of practice requirements stated in an approved registration standard for the health profession; and
(iii)the applicant has completed the continuing professional development the applicant was required by an approved registration standard to undertake during the applicant’s preceding period of registration; and
(iv)the applicant has not practised the health profession during the preceding period of registration without appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements being in place in relation to the applicant; and
(v)if the applicant’s registration is renewed the applicant will not practise the health profession unless appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are in place in relation to the applicant;
(b)details of any change in the applicant’s criminal history that occurred during the applicant’s preceding period of registration;
Note:See the definition of criminal history which applies to offences in participating jurisdictions and elsewhere, including outside Australia.
(c)if the applicant’s right to practise at a hospital or another facility at which health services are provided was withdrawn or restricted during the applicant’s preceding period of registration because of the applicant’s conduct, professional performance or health, details of the withdrawal or restriction of the right to practise;
(d)if the applicant’s billing privileges were withdrawn or restricted under the Medicare Australia Act 1973 3 (Commonwealth) during the applicant’s preceding period of registration because of the applicant’s conduct, professional performance or health, details of the withdrawal or restriction of the privileges;
(e)details of any complaint made about the applicant to a registration authority or another entity having functions relating to professional services provided by health practitioners or the regulation of health practitioners;
(f)any other information required by an approved registration standard.
(2)Subsection (1)(a)(ii), (iii) and (iv), (c) and (d) does not apply to an applicant who is applying for the renewal of non‑practicing registration.
110.National Board’s powers before making decision
Before deciding an application for renewal of registration, a National Board may exercise a power under section 80 as if the application were an application for registration made under section 77.
111.Applicant may make submissions about proposed refusal of application for renewal or imposition of condition
(1)If, after considering an application for renewal of registration, a National Board is proposing to refuse to renew the applicant’s registration or to renew the applicant’s registration subject to a new condition, the Board must give the applicant written notice of the proposal.
(2)The notice must —
(a)state the reasons for the proposal; and
(b)invite the applicant to make a written or verbal submission to the Board by the date stated in the notice, being not less than 30 days after the day the notice is given to the applicant, about the proposal.
112.Decision about application for renewal
(1)After considering an application for renewal of registration and any submissions made in accordance with a notice under section 111, a National Board may decide to renew, or refuse to renew, the applicant’s registration or the endorsement.
(2)The National Board may refuse to renew the applicant’s registration or any endorsement on the applicant’s registration —
(a)on any ground on which the Board could refuse to grant the registration or endorsement under section 82 or 102 if the application were for a grant of registration or endorsement; or
(b)if the applicant contravened any condition to which the applicant’s previous registration or endorsement was subject; or
(c)if, during the applicant’s previous period of registration, the applicant failed to have appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements or failed to complete the continuing professional development required by an approved registration standard for the profession; or
(d)if a statement made by the applicant in the applicant’s annual statement was false or misleading in a material particular; or
(e)if the application is for the renewal of provisional registration and the applicant’s provisional registration has previously been renewed twice; or
(f)if the application is for the renewal of limited application and the applicant’s limited registration has previously been renewed 3 times.
(3)If the National Board renews a registration, including any endorsement on the registration, the registration or endorsement is subject to —
(a)any condition to which the registration was subject immediately before the renewal; and
(b)any condition the Board considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances.
Note:A failure by a registered health practitioner to comply with a condition of the practitioner’s registration does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(4)If the National Board decides to renew a registered health practitioner’s registration or an endorsement of the registration subject to a condition under subsection (3)(b), the Board must decide a review period for the condition.
(5)If a National Board decides to refuse to renew an applicant’s registration or the endorsement of the applicant’s registration, or to renew the registration or the endorsement subject to a condition under subsection (3)(b), the Board must give the applicant a notice that states —
(a)the decision made by the Board; and
(b)the reasons for the decision; and
(c)that the applicant may appeal against the decision; and
(d)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
(6)A registration, including any endorsement of the registration, renewed under this Division —
(a)starts on the day immediately after the applicant’s previous period of registration ends or ended; and
(b)expires at the end of the day that is 12 months after the day it starts.
Division 10 — Title and practice protections
Subdivision 1 — Title protections
113.Restriction on use of protected titles
(1)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use a title in the Table to this section, in a way that could be reasonably expected to induce a belief the person is registered under this Law in the health profession listed beside the title in the Table, unless the person is registered in the profession; or
(b)take or use a prescribed title for a health profession, in a way that could be reasonably expected to induce a belief the person is registered under this Law in the profession, unless the person is registered in the profession.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(2)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use a title in the Table in relation to another person (the second person), in a way that could be reasonably expected to induce a belief the second person is registered under this Law in the health profession listed beside the title in the Table, unless the second person is registered in the profession; or
(b)take or use a prescribed title for a health profession in relation to another person (the second person), in a way that could be reasonably expected to induce a belief the second person is registered under this Law in the profession, unless the second person is registered in the profession.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2) apply whether or not the title is taken or used with or without any other words and whether in English or any other language.
Table — Protected Titles
|
Profession |
Title |
|
Aboriginal and |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner, Aboriginal health practitioner, Torres Strait Islander health practitioner |
|
Chinese Medicine |
Chinese medicine practitioner, Chinese herbal dispenser, Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, Oriental medicine practitioner, acupuncturist |
|
Chiropractic |
chiropractor |
|
Dental |
dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist, oral health therapist |
|
Medical |
medical practitioner |
|
Medical Radiation Practice |
medical radiation practitioner, diagnostic radiographer, medical imaging technologist, radiographer, nuclear medicine scientist, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist |
|
Nursing and Midwifery |
nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, enrolled nurse, midwife, midwife practitioner |
|
Occupational Therapy |
occupational therapist |
|
Optometry |
optometrist, optician |
|
Osteopathy |
osteopath |
|
Pharmacy |
pharmacist, pharmaceutical chemist |
|
Physiotherapy |
physiotherapist, physical therapist |
|
Podiatry |
podiatrist, chiropodist |
|
Psychology |
psychologist |
114.Use of title “acupuncturist”
(1)A registered health practitioner whose registration is endorsed under section 97 by a National Board as being qualified to practise as an acupuncturist does not commit an offence against section 113(1)(a) merely because the individual takes or uses the title “acupuncturist”.
(2)A person does not commit an offence against section 113(2)(a) merely because the person takes or uses the title “acupuncturist” in relation to another person who is a registered health practitioner whose registration is endorsed under section 97 by a National Board as being qualified to practise as an acupuncturist.
115.Restriction on use of specialist titles
(1)A person must not knowingly or recklessly take or use —
(a)the title “dental specialist” unless the person is registered under this Law in a recognised specialty in the dentists division of the dental profession; or
(b)the title “medical specialist” unless the person is registered in a recognised specialty in the medical profession; or
(c)a specialist title for a recognised specialty unless the person is registered under this Law in the specialty.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(2)A person must not knowingly or recklessly take or use —
(a)the title “dental specialist” in relation to another person unless the other person is registered under this Law in a recognised specialty in the dentists division of the dental profession; or
(b)the title “medical specialist” in relation to another person unless the person is registered in a recognised specialty in the medical profession; or
(c)a specialist title for a recognised specialty in relation to another person unless the person is registered under this Law in the specialty.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(3)Subsection (1) applies whether or not the title is taken or used with or without any other words and whether in English or any other language.
116.Claims by persons as to registration as health practitioner
(1)A person who is not a registered health practitioner must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use the title of “registered health practitioner”, whether with or without any other words; or
(b)take or use a title, name, initial, symbol, word or description that, having regard to the circumstances in which it is taken or used, indicates or could be reasonably understood to indicate —
(i)the person is a health practitioner; or
(ii)the person is authorised or qualified to practise in a health profession;
or
(c)claim to be registered under this Law or hold himself or herself out as being registered under this Law; or
(d)claim to be qualified to practise as a health practitioner.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(2)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use the title of “registered health practitioner”, whether with or without any other words, in relation to another person who is not a registered health practitioner; or
(b)take or use a title, name, initial, symbol, word or description that, having regard to the circumstances in which it is taken or used, indicates or could be reasonably understood to indicate —
(i)another person is a health practitioner if the other person is not a health practitioner; or
(ii)another person is authorised or qualified to practise in a health profession if the other person is not a registered health practitioner in that health profession;
or
(c)claim another person is registered under this Law, or hold the other person out as being registered under this Law, if the other person is not registered under this Law; or
(d)claim another person is qualified to practise as a health practitioner if the other person is not a registered health practitioner.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
117.Claims by persons as to registration in particular profession or division
(1)A registered health practitioner must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)claim to be registered under this Law in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the practitioner is not registered, or hold himself or herself out as being registered in a health profession or a division of a health profession if the person is not registered in that health profession or division; or
(b)claim to be qualified to practise as a practitioner in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the practitioner is not registered; or
(c)take or use any title that could be reasonably understood to induce a belief the practitioner is registered under this Law in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the practitioner is not registered.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(3)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)claim another person is registered under this Law in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the other person is not registered, or hold the other person out as being registered in a health profession or a division of a health profession if the other person is not registered in that health profession or division; or
(b)claim another person is qualified to practise as a health practitioner in a health profession or division of a health profession in which the other person is not registered; or
(c)take or use any title in relation to another person that could be reasonably understood to induce a belief the other person is registered under this Law in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the person is not registered.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
Note:A contravention of this subsection by a registered health practitioner may also constitute unprofessional conduct for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
118.Claims by persons as to specialist registration
(1)A person who is not a specialist health practitioner must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use the title of “specialist health practitioner”, whether with or without any other words; or
(b)take or use a title, name, initial, symbol, word or description that, having regard to the circumstances in which it is taken or used, indicates or could be reasonably understood to indicate —
(i)the person is a specialist health practitioner; or
(ii)the person is authorised or qualified to practise in a recognised specialty;
or
(c)claim to be registered under this Law in a recognised specialty or hold himself or herself out as being registered under this Law in a recognised specialty; or
(d)claim to be qualified to practise as a specialist health practitioner.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(2)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)take or use the title of “specialist health practitioner”, whether with or without any other words, in relation to another person who is not a specialist health practitioner; or
(b)take or use a title, name, initial, symbol, word or description in relation to another person that, having regard to the circumstances in which it is taken or used, indicates or could be reasonably understood to indicate —
(i)the other person is a specialist health practitioner; or
(ii)the other person is authorised or qualified to practise in a recognised specialty;
or
(c)claim another person is registered under this Law in a recognised specialty or hold the other person out as being registered under this Law in a recognised specialty if the other person is not registered in that recognised specialty; or
(d)claim another person is qualified to practise as a specialist health practitioner if the person is not a specialist health practitioner.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
Note:A contravention of this section by a registered health practitioner may also constitute unprofessional conduct for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
119.Claims about type of registration or registration in recognised specialty
(1)A registered health practitioner must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)claim to hold a type of registration or endorsement under this Law that the practitioner does not hold or hold himself or herself out as holding a type of registration or endorsement if the practitioner does not hold that type of registration; or
(b)claim to be qualified to hold a type of registration or endorsement the practitioner does not hold; or
(c)claim to hold specialist registration under this Law in a recognised specialty in which the practitioner does not hold specialist registration or hold himself or herself out as holding specialist registration in a recognised specialty if the person does not hold specialist registration in that specialty; or
(d)claim to be qualified to practise as a specialist health practitioner in a recognised specialty in which the practitioner is not registered.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(3)A person must not knowingly or recklessly —
(a)claim another person holds a type of registration or endorsement under this Law that the other person does not hold or hold the other person out as holding a type of registration or endorsement if the practitioner does not hold that type of registration or endorsement; or
(b)claim another person is qualified to hold a type of registration or endorsement that the other person does not hold; or
(c)claim another person holds specialist registration under this Law in a recognised specialty which the other person does not hold or hold the other person out as holding specialist registration in a recognised specialty if the other person does not hold specialist registration in that specialty; or
(d)claim another person is qualified to practise in a recognised specialty in which the other person is not registered.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
Note:A contravention of this subsection by a registered health practitioner may also constitute unprofessional conduct for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
120.Registered health practitioner registered on conditions
(1)A registered health practitioner who is registered on conditions must not knowingly or recklessly claim, or hold himself or herself out, to be registered without the conditions or any conditions.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
Subdivision 2 — Practice protections
(1)A person must not carry out a restricted dental act unless the person —
(a)is registered in the dental profession or medical profession and carries out the restricted dental act in accordance with any requirements specified in an approved registration standard; or
(b)is a student who carries out the restricted dental act in the course of activities undertaken as part of —
(i)an approved programme of study for the dental profession or medical profession; or
(ii)clinical training in the dental profession or medical profession;
or
(c)carries out the restricted dental act in the course of carrying out technical work on the written order of a person registered in the dentists or dental prosthetists division of the dental profession; or
(d)is a person, or a member of a class of persons, prescribed under a regulation as being authorised to carry out the restricted dental act or restricted dental acts generally.
Penalty: a fine of $30 000.
(2)In this section —
restricted dental act means any of the following acts —
(a)performing any irreversible procedure on the human teeth or jaw or associated structures;
(b)correcting malpositions of the human teeth or jaw or associated structures;
(c)fitting or intra‑orally adjusting artificial teeth or corrective or restorative dental appliances for a person;
(d)performing any irreversible procedure on, or the giving of any treatment or advice to, a person that is preparatory to or for the purpose of fitting, inserting, adjusting, fixing, constructing, repairing or renewing artificial dentures or a restorative dental appliance;
technical work means the mechanical construction or the renewal or repair of artificial dentures or restorative dental appliances.
122.Restriction on prescription of optical appliances
(1)A person must not prescribe an optical appliance unless —
(a)the person is an optometrist or medical practitioner; or
(b)the appliance is spectacles and the person is an orthoptist who —
(i)prescribes the spectacles in the course of carrying out duties at a public health facility; or
(ii)prescribes the spectacles under the supervision of an optometrist or medical practitioner; or
(iii)prescribes the spectacles, on the written referral of an optometrist or medical practitioner, to a person who has had, within the 12 months before the referral, an ocular health examination conducted by an optometrist or medical practitioner;
or
(c)the person is a person, or a member of a class of persons, prescribed under a regulation as being authorised to prescribe an optical appliance of that type or to prescribe optical appliances generally.
Penalty: a fine of $30 000.
(2)In this section —
optical appliance means —
(a)any appliance designed to correct, remedy or relieve any refractive abnormality or defect of sight, including, for example, spectacle lenses; or
(b)contact lenses, whether or not designed to correct, remedy or relieve any refractive abnormality or defect of sight;
optometrist means a person registered in the optometry profession;
orthoptist means a person whose name is recorded in the Register of Orthoptists kept by the Australian Orthoptists Registration Body Pty Ltd (ACN 095 11 7 678).
123.Restriction on spinal manipulation
(1)A person must not perform manipulation of the cervical spine unless the person —
(a)is registered in an appropriate health profession; or
(b)is a student who performs manipulation of the cervical spine in the course of activities undertaken as part of —
(i)an approved programme of study in an appropriate health profession; or
(ii)clinical training in an appropriate health profession;
or
(c)is a person, or a member of a class of persons, prescribed under a regulation as being authorised to perform manipulation of the cervical spine.
Penalty: a fine of $30 000.
(2)In this section —
appropriate health profession means any of the following health professions —
(a)chiropractic;
(b)osteopathy;
(c)medical;
(d)physiotherapy;
manipulation of the cervical spine means moving the joints of the cervical spine beyond a person’s usual physiological range of motion using a high velocity, low amplitude thrust.
Subdivision 1 — Certificates of registration
124.Issue of certificate of registration
(1)This section applies if —
(a)a National Board decides to register an individual in the health profession for which the Board is established; or
(b)a National Board decides to renew an individual’s registration in the health profession for which the Board is established; or
(c)a National Board or an adjudication body decides to impose, change or remove a condition on a registered health practitioner’s registration or otherwise change the practitioner’s registration in a material way; or
(d)a National Board or an adjudication body decides to accept an undertaking from a registered health practitioner or to change or revoke an undertaking given by the practitioner; or
(e)a National Board decides to endorse a health practitioner’s registration.
(2)The National Board must, as soon as practicable after the decision is made, give the registered health practitioner a certificate of registration in the form decided by the Board.
(3)A certificate of registration must include the following —
(a)the name of the registered health practitioner;
(b)the type of registration granted and, if the registration is endorsed, the type of endorsement granted;
(c)the date the registration or endorsement was granted;
(d)the division of the register, if any, in which the practitioner is registered;
(e)any condition to which the registration or endorsement is subject;
(f)any undertaking given by the practitioner to the National Board;
(g)the date the registration expires;
(h)any other information the Board considers appropriate.
Subdivision 2 — Review of conditions and undertakings
125.Changing or removing conditions or undertaking on application by registered health practitioner or student
(1)A registered health practitioner or student may apply to a National Board that registered the practitioner or student —
(a)for a registered health practitioner —
(i)to change or remove a condition imposed on the practitioner’s registration or endorsement; or
(ii)to change or revoke an undertaking given by the practitioner;
or
(b)for a student —
(i)to change or remove a condition imposed on the student’s registration; or
(ii)to change or revoke an undertaking given by the student to the Board.
(2)However, the registered health practitioner or student may not make an application —
(a)during a review period applying to the condition or undertaking, unless the practitioner or student reasonably believes there has been a material change in the practitioner’s or student’s circumstances; or
(b)for a condition imposed by an adjudication body for a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, unless the adjudication body decided, when imposing the condition, that this Subdivision applied to the condition.
(3)An application under subsection (1) must —
(a)be in the form approved by the National Board; and
(b)be accompanied by any other information reasonably required by the Board.
(4)For the purposes of deciding the application, the National Board may exercise a power under section 80 as if the application were an application for registration as a registered health practitioner.
(5)The National Board must decide to grant the application or refuse to grant the application.
(6)As soon as practicable after making the decision under subsection (5), the National Board must give the registered health practitioner or student written notice of the Board’s decision.
(7)If the National Board decides to refuse to grant the application, the notice must state —
(a)the decision made by the Board; and
(b)that the registered health practitioner or student may appeal against the decision; and
(c)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
126.Changing conditions on Board’s initiative
(1)This section applies if a National Board reasonably believes it is necessary to change a condition imposed on the registration of a registered health practitioner or student registered by the Board.
(2)The National Board must give the registered health practitioner or student a written notice stating —
(a)that the Board proposes to change the condition; and
(b)how the Board proposes to change the condition; and
(c)the reason for the proposed change; and
(d)that the practitioner or student may, within 30 days after receipt of the notice, make written or verbal submissions to the Board about why the condition should not be changed.
(3)However, the condition may not be changed —
(a)during a review period applying to the condition, unless the National Board reasonably believes there has been a material change in the registered health practitioner’s or student’s circumstances; or
(b)if the condition was imposed by an adjudication body for a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, unless the adjudication body decided, when imposing the condition, that this subdivision applied to the condition.
(4)The registered health practitioner or student may make written or verbal submissions about the proposed change to the condition as stated in the notice.
(5)The National Board must consider any submissions made under subsection (4) and decide whether or not to change the condition.
(6)As soon as practicable after making its decision the National Board must give written notice of the decision to the registered health practitioner or student.
(7)If the National Board decides to change the condition, the notice must state —
(a)the decision made by the Board; and
(b)that the registered health practitioner or student may appeal against the decision; and
(c)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
127.Removal of condition or revocation of undertaking
(1)This section applies if a National Board reasonably believes —
(a)that a condition imposed on the registration of a registered health practitioner or student registered by the Board is no longer necessary; or
(b)that an undertaking given to the Board by a health practitioner or student registered by the Board is no longer necessary.
(2)The National Board may decide to remove the condition or revoke the undertaking.
(3)However, the condition or undertaking may not be removed or revoked —
(a)during a review period applying to the condition or undertaking, unless the National Board reasonably believes there has been a material change in the registered health practitioner’s or student’s circumstances; or
(b)for a condition imposed by an adjudication body for a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, unless the adjudication body decided, when imposing the condition, that this subdivision applied to the condition.
(4)As soon as practicable after making the decision the National Board must give notice of the decision to the registered health practitioner or student.
(5)The decision takes effect on the date stated in the notice.
Subdivision 3 — Obligations of registered health practitioners and students
128.Continuing professional development
(1)A registered health practitioner must undertake the continuing professional development required by an approved registration standard for the health profession in which the practitioner is registered.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(3)In this section —
registered health practitioner does not include a registered health practitioner who holds non‑practicing registration in the profession.
129.Professional indemnity insurance arrangements
(1)A registered health practitioner must not practise the health profession in which the practitioner is registered unless appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are in force in relation to the practitioner’s practice of the profession.
(2)A National Board may, at any time by written notice, require a registered health practitioner registered by the Board to give the Board evidence of the appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements that are in force in relation to the practitioner’s practice of the profession.
(3)A registered health practitioner must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a written notice given to the practitioner under subsection (2).
(4)A contravention of subsection (1) or (3) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(5)In this section —
registered health practitioner does not include a registered health practitioner who holds non‑practicing registration in the profession.
130.Registered health practitioner or student to give National Board notice of certain events
(1)A registered health practitioner or student must, within 7 days after becoming aware that a relevant event has occurred in relation to the practitioner or student, give the National Board that registered the practitioner or student written notice of the event.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner or student does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(3)In this section —
relevant event means —
(a)in relation to a registered health practitioner —
(i)the practitioner is charged, whether in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
(ii)the practitioner is convicted of or the subject of a finding of guilt for an offence, whether in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, punishable by imprisonment; or
(iii)appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are no longer in place in relation to the practitioner’s practice of the profession; or
(iv)the practitioner’s right to practise at a hospital or another facility at which health services are provided is withdrawn or restricted because of the practitioner’s conduct, professional performance or health; or
(v)the practitioner’s billing privileges are withdrawn or restricted under the Medicare Australia Act 1973 3 (Commonwealth) because of the practitioner’s conduct, professional performance or health; or
(vi)the practitioner’s authority under a law of a State or Territory to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use a scheduled medicine or class of scheduled medicines is cancelled or restricted; or
(vii)a complaint is made about the practitioner to an entity referred to in section 219(1)(a) to (e); or
(viii)the practitioner’s registration under the law of another country that provides for the registration of health practitioners is suspended or cancelled or made subject to a condition or another restriction;
or
(b)in relation to a student —
(i)the student is charged with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
(ii)the student is convicted of or the subject of a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment; or
(iii)the student’s registration under the law of another country that provides for the registration of students has been suspended or cancelled.
131.Change in principal place of practice, address or name
(1)A registered health practitioner must, within 30 days of any of the following changes happening, give the National Board that registered the practitioner written notice of the change and any evidence providing proof of the change required by the Board —
(a)a change in the practitioner’s principal place of practice;
(b)a change in the address provided by the registered health practitioner as the address the Board should use in corresponding with the practitioner;
(c)a change in the practitioner’s name.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
132.National Board may ask registered health practitioner for employer’s details
(1)A National Board may, at any time by written notice given to a health practitioner registered by the Board, ask the practitioner to give the Board the following information —
(a)information about whether the practitioner is employed by another entity;
(b)if the practitioner is employed by another entity —
(i)the name of the practitioner’s employer; and
(ii)the address and other contact details of the practitioner’s employer.
(2)The registered health practitioner must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with the notice.
(3)A contravention of subsection (2) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(1)A person must not advertise a regulated health service, or a business that provides a regulated health service, in a way that —
(a)is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to be misleading or deceptive; or
(b)offers a gift, discount or other inducement to attract a person to use the service or the business, unless the advertisement also states the terms and conditions of the offer; or
(c)uses testimonials or purported testimonials about the service or business; or
(d)creates an unreasonable expectation of beneficial treatment; or
(e)directly or indirectly encourages the indiscriminate or unnecessary use of regulated health services.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $5 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $10 000.
(2)A person does not commit an offence against subsection (1) merely because the person, as part of the person’s business, prints or publishes an advertisement for another person.
(3)In proceedings for an offence against this section, a court may have regard to a guideline approved by a National Board about the advertising of regulated health services.
(4)In this section —
regulated health service means a service provided by, or usually provided by, a health practitioner.
Subdivision 5 — Board’s powers to check identity and criminal history
(1)A National Board may, at any time, require a registered health practitioner to provide evidence of the practitioner’s identity.
(2)A requirement under subsection (1) must be made by written notice given to the registered health practitioner.
(3)The registered health practitioner must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with the notice.
(4)A contravention of subsection (3) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken.
(5)If a registered health practitioner gives a National Board a document as evidence of the practitioner’s identity under this section, the Board may, by written notice, ask the entity that issued the document —
(a)to confirm the validity of the document; or
(b)to give the Board other information relevant to the practitioner’s identity.
(6)An entity given a notice under subsection (5) is authorised to provide the information requested.
(1)A National Board may, at any time, obtain a written report about a registered health practitioner’s criminal history from any of the following —
(a)CrimTrac;
(b)a police commissioner;
(c)an entity in a jurisdiction outside Australia that has access to records about the criminal history of persons in that jurisdiction.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a report may be obtained under that subsection —
(a)to check a statement made by a registered health practitioner in the practitioner’s application for renewal of registration; or
(b)as part of an audit carried out by a National Board, to check statements made by registered health practitioners.
(3)A criminal history law does not apply to a report under subsection (1).
136.Directing or inciting unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct
(1)A person must not direct or incite a registered health practitioner to do anything, in the course of the practitioner’s practice of the health profession, that amounts to unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $30 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $60 000.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is the owner or operator of a public health facility.
(1)A registered health practitioner may, by written notice given to the National Board that registered the practitioner, surrender the practitioner’s registration.
(2)The surrender of the registration takes effect on —
(a)the day the National Board receives the notice under subsection (1); or
(b)the later day stated in the notice.
Part 8 — Health, performance and conduct
138.Part applicable to persons formerly registered under this Law
(1)This section applies if a person was, but is no longer, registered in a health profession under this Law.
(2)A notification may be made, and proceedings may be taken, under this Part in relation to the person’s behaviour while registered as if the person were still registered under this Law by the National Board established for the health profession.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), this Part (other than Divisions 2 and 6) applies, with any necessary changes, to the person as if a reference to a registered health practitioner included that person.
139.Part applicable to persons formerly registered under corresponding prior Act in certain circumstances
(1)This section applies if a person —
(a)was registered in a health profession under a corresponding prior Act; and
(b)is not, and has not been, registered in the health profession under this Law.
(2)A notification may be made, and proceedings may be taken, under this Part in relation to the person’s behaviour while registered under the corresponding prior Act as if the person were registered under this Law by the National Board established for the health profession.
(3)However, subsection (2) applies only to the extent —
(a)a notification about the person’s behaviour could have been made under the corresponding prior Act; and
(b)proceedings of that type could have been taken under the corresponding prior Act.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (2), this Part (other than Divisions 2 and 7) applies, with any necessary changes, to the person as if a reference to a registered health practitioner included that person.
Division 2 — Mandatory notifications
140.Term used: notifiable conduct
In this Division —
notifiable conduct, in relation to a registered health practitioner, means the practitioner has —
(a)practised the practitioner’s profession while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs; or
(b)engaged in sexual misconduct in connection with the practice of the practitioner’s profession; or
(c)placed the public at risk of substantial harm in the practitioner’s practice of the profession because the practitioner has an impairment; or
(d)placed the public at risk of harm because the practitioner has practised the profession in a way that constitutes a significant departure from accepted professional standards.
141.Mandatory notifications by health practitioners
(1)This section applies to a registered health practitioner (the first health practitioner) who, in the course of practising the first health practitioner’s profession, forms a reasonable belief that —
(a)another registered health practitioner (the second health practitioner) has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct; or
(b)a student has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.
(2)The first health practitioner must, as soon as practicable after forming the reasonable belief, notify the National Agency of the second health practitioner’s notifiable conduct or the student’s impairment.
Note:See section 237 which provides protection from civil, criminal and administrative liability for persons who, in good faith, make a notification under this Law. Section 237(3) provides that the making of a notification does not constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct and nor is any liability for defamation incurred.
(3)A contravention of subsection (2) by a registered health practitioner does not constitute an offence but may constitute behaviour for which action may be taken under this Part.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (1), the first health practitioner does not form the reasonable belief in the course of practising the profession if —
(a)the first health practitioner —
(i)is employed or otherwise engaged by an insurer that provides professional indemnity insurance that relates to the second health practitioner or student; and
(ii)forms the reasonable belief the second health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct, or the student has an impairment, as a result of a disclosure made by a person to the first health practitioner in the course of a legal proceeding or the provision of legal advice arising from the insurance policy;
or
(b)the first health practitioner forms the reasonable belief in the course of providing advice in relation to the notifiable conduct or impairment for the purposes of a legal proceeding or the preparation of legal advice; or
(c)the first health practitioner is a legal practitioner and forms the reasonable belief in the course of providing legal services to the second health practitioner or student in relation to a legal proceeding or the preparation of legal advice in which the notifiable conduct or impairment is an issue; or
(d)the first health practitioner —
(i)forms the reasonable belief in the course of exercising functions as a member of a quality assurance committee, council or other body approved or authorised under an Act of a participating jurisdiction; and
(ii)is unable to disclose the information that forms the basis of the reasonable belief because a provision of that Act prohibits the disclosure of the information;
or
(e)the first health practitioner knows, or reasonably believes, the National Agency has been notified of the notifiable conduct or impairment that forms the basis of the reasonable belief.
142.Mandatory notifications by employers
(1)If an employer of a registered health practitioner reasonably believes the health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct, the employer must notify the National Agency of the notifiable conduct.
Note:See section 237 which provides protection from civil, criminal and administrative liability for persons who, in good faith, make a notification under this Law. Section 237(3) provides that the making of a notification does not constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct and nor is any liability for defamation incurred.
(2)If the National Agency becomes aware that an employer of a registered health practitioner has failed to notify the Agency of notifiable conduct as required by subsection (1), the Agency must give a written report about the failure to the responsible Minister for the participating jurisdiction in which the notifiable conduct occurred.
(3)As soon as practicable after receiving a report under subsection (2), the responsible Minister must report the employer’s failure to notify the Agency of the notifiable conduct to a health complaints entity, the employer’s licensing authority or another appropriate entity in that participating jurisdiction.
(4)In this section —
employer, of a registered health practitioner, means an entity that employs the health practitioner under a contract of employment or a contract for services;
licensing authority, of an employer, means an entity that under a law of a participating jurisdiction is responsible for licensing, registering or authorising the employer to conduct the employer’s business.
143.Mandatory notifications by education providers
(1)An education provider must notify the National Agency if the provider reasonably believes —
(a)a student enrolled in a programme of study provided by the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training as part of the programme of study, may place the public at substantial risk of harm; or
(b)a student for whom the education provider has arranged clinical training has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking the clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.
Note:See section 237 which provides protection from civil, criminal and administrative liability for persons who make a notification under this Law. Section 237(3) provides that the making of a notification does not constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct and nor is any liability for defamation incurred.
(2)A contravention of subsection (1) does not constitute an offence.
(3)However, if an education provider does not comply with subsection (1) —
(a)the National Board that registered the student must publish details of the failure on the Board’s website; and
(b)the National Agency may, on the recommendation of the National Board, include a statement about the failure in the Agency’s annual report.
Division 3 — Voluntary notifications
144.Grounds for voluntary notification
(1)A voluntary notification about a registered health practitioner may be made to the National Agency on any of the following grounds —
(a)that the practitioner’s professional conduct is, or may be, of a lesser standard than that which might reasonably be expected of the practitioner by the public or the practitioner’s professional peers;
(b)that the knowledge, skill or judgment possessed, or care exercised by, the practitioner in the practice of the practitioner’s health profession is, or may be, below the standard reasonably expected;
(c)that the practitioner is not, or may not be, a suitable person to hold registration in the health profession, including, for example, that the practitioner is not a fit and proper person to be registered in the profession;
(d)that the practitioner has, or may have, an impairment;
(e)that the practitioner has, or may have, contravened this Law;
(f)that the practitioner has, or may have, contravened a condition of the practitioner’s registration or an undertaking given by the practitioner to a National Board;
(g)that the practitioner’s registration was, or may have been, improperly obtained because the practitioner or someone else gave the National Board information or a document that was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2)A voluntary notification about a student may be made to the National Agency on the grounds that —
(a)the student has been charged with an offence, or has been convicted or found guilty of an offence, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
(b)the student has, or may have, an impairment; or
(c)that the student has, or may have, contravened a condition of the student’s registration or an undertaking given by the student to a National Board.
145.Who may make voluntary notification
Any entity that believes that a ground on which a voluntary notification may be made exists in relation to a registered health practitioner or a student may notify the National Agency.
Note:See section 237 which provides protection from civil, criminal and administrative liability for persons who, in good faith, make a notification under this Law.
Division 4 — Making a notification
(1)A notification may be made to the National Agency —
(a)verbally, including by telephone; or
(b)in writing, including by email or other electronic means.
(2)A notification must include particulars of the basis on which it is made.
(3)If a notification is made verbally, the National Agency must make a record of the notification.
147.National Agency to provide reasonable assistance to notifier
(1)The National Agency must, if asked by an entity, give the entity reasonable assistance to make a notification about a registered health practitioner or student.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Agency may assist an entity to make a notification if —
(a)the entity is not able to put the entity’s notification in writing without assistance; or
(b)the entity needs assistance to clarify the nature of the individual’s notification.
Division 5 — Preliminary assessment
148.Referral of notification to National Board or co‑regulatory authority
(1)Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the National Agency must, as soon as practicable after receiving a notification about a registered health practitioner or a student, refer the notification to the National Board that registered the health practitioner or student.
(2)If the behaviour that is the basis for the ground for the notification occurred, or is reasonably believed to have occurred, in a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, the National Agency —
(a)must not deal with the notification; and
(b)must, as soon as practicable after receiving the notification, refer the notification to the co‑regulatory authority for the co‑regulatory jurisdiction.
(3)If the behaviour that is the basis for the ground for the notification occurred, or is reasonably believed to have occurred, in more than one jurisdiction and one of the jurisdictions is a co‑regulatory jurisdiction, the National Agency must —
(a)if the registered health practitioner’s principal place of practice is in the co‑regulatory jurisdiction, refer the notification under subsection (2); or
(b)otherwise, refer the notification under subsection (1).
(1)A National Board must, within 60 days after receipt of a notification, conduct a preliminary assessment of the notification and decide —
(a)whether or not the notification relates to a person who is a health practitioner or a student registered by the Board; and
(b)whether or not the notification relates to a matter that is a ground for notification; and
(c)if the notification is a notification referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), whether or not it is a notification that could also be made to a health complaints entity.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1)(b), the National Board may decide the notification relates to a matter that is a ground for notification under section 144 on the basis of —
(a)a single notification about a person; or
(b)a number of notifications about a person including —
(i)a number of notifications that suggest a pattern of conduct; and
(ii)notifications made to a health complaints entity.
(3)If the National Board decides the notification relates to a person who is not registered by the Board but the Board reasonably suspects the person is registered by another National Board, the Board must refer the notification to that other Board.
150.Relationship with health complaints entity
(1)If the subject matter of a notification would also provide a ground for a complaint to a health complaints entity under a law of a participating jurisdiction, the National Board that received the notification must, as soon as practicable after its receipt —
(a)notify the health complaints entity that the Board has received the notification; and
(b)give to the health complaints entity —
(i)a copy of the notification or, if the notification was not made in writing, a copy of the National Agency’s record of the details of the notification; and
(ii)any other information the Board has that is relevant to the notification.
(2)If a health complaints entity receives a complaint about a health practitioner, the health complaints entity must, as soon as practicable after its receipt —
(a)notify the National Board established for the practitioner’s health profession that the health complaints entity has received the complaint; and
(b)give to the National Board —
(i)a copy of the complaint or, if the complaint was not made in writing, a copy of the health complaints entity’s record of the details of the complaint; and
(ii)any other information the health complaints entity has that is relevant to the complaint.
(3)The National Board and the health complaints entity must attempt to reach agreement about how the notification or complaint is to be dealt with, including —
(a)whether the Board is to deal with the notification or complaint, or part of the notification or complaint, or to decide to take no further action in relation to it; and
(b)if the Board is to deal with the notification or complaint or part of the notification or complaint, the action the Board is to take.
(4)If the National Board and the health complaints entity are not able to reach agreement on how the notification or complaint, or part of the notification or complaint, is to be dealt with, the most serious action proposed by either must be taken.
(5)If an investigation or other action, other than conciliation, taken by a health complaints entity raises issues about the health, conduct or performance of a registered health practitioner, the health complaints entity must give the National Board that registered the practitioner written notice of the issues.
(6)If a notification, or part of a notification, received by a National Board is referred to a health complaints entity, the Board may decide to take no further action in relation to the notification or the part of the notification until the entity gives the Board written notice that the entity has finished dealing with it.
(7)If a National Board or an adjudication body takes health, conduct or performance action in relation to a registered health practitioner, the Board that registered the practitioner must give written notice of the action to the health complaints entity for the participating jurisdiction in which the behaviour that provided the basis for the action occurred.
(8)A written notice under subsection (5) or (7) must include —
(a)sufficient particulars to identify the registered health practitioner; and
(b)details of —
(i)the issues raised about the health, conduct or performance of the registered health practitioner; or
(ii)the health, conduct or performance action taken in relation to the registered health practitioner.
151.When National Board may decide to take no further action
(1)A National Board may decide to take no further action in relation to a notification if —
(a)the Board reasonably believes the notification is frivolous, vexatious, misconceived or lacking in substance; or
(b)given the amount of time that has elapsed since the matter the subject of the notification occurred, it is not practicable for the Board to investigate or otherwise deal with the notification; or
(c)the person to whom the notification relates has not been, or is no longer, registered by the Board and it is not in the public interest for the Board to investigate or otherwise deal with the notification; or
(d)the subject matter of the notification has already been dealt with adequately by the Board; or
(e)the subject matter of the notification is being dealt with, or has already been dealt with, adequately by another entity.
(2)A decision by a National Board to decide to take no further action in relation to a notification does not prevent a National Board or adjudication body taking the notification into consideration at a later time as part of a pattern of conduct or practice by the health practitioner.
(3)If a National Board decides to take no further action in relation to a notification it must give written notice of the decision to the notifier.
(4)A notice under subsection (3) must state —
(a)that the National Board has decided to take no further action in relation to the notification; and
(b)the reason the Board has decided to take no further action.
152.National Board to give notice of receipt of notification
(1)A National Board must, as soon as practicable after receiving a notification about a registered health practitioner or student, give written notice of the notification to the practitioner or student.
(2)The notice must advise the registered health practitioner or student of the nature of the notification.
(3)Despite subsection (1), the National Board is not required to give the registered health practitioner or student notice of the notification if the Board reasonably believes doing so would —
(a)prejudice an investigation of the notification; or
(b)place at risk a person’s health or safety or place a person at risk of intimidation or harassment.
153.National Board may deal with notifications about same person together
If the National Agency receives more than one notification about a registered health practitioner or student, the National Board established for the health profession in which the practitioner or student is registered may deal with the notifications together.
154.National Boards may deal with notifications collaboratively
(1)This section applies if a notification received by a National Board relates to —
(a)a registered health practitioner who is registered in more than one health profession; or
(b)more than one registered health practitioner and the practitioners are registered in 2 or more different health professions; or
(c)a person who is registered as a student in more than one health profession; or
(d)more than one student and the students are registered in 2 or more different health professions.
(2)The National Board may deal with the notification in conjunction with one or more other National Boards with whom the registered health practitioner or practitioners, or student or students, are registered.
155.Term used: immediate action
In this Division —
immediate action, in relation to a registered health practitioner or student, means —
(a)the suspension, or imposition of a condition on, the health practitioner’s or student’s registration; or
(b)accepting an undertaking from the health practitioner or student; or
(c)accepting the surrender of the health practitioner’s or student’s registration.
156.Power to take immediate action
(1)A National Board may take immediate action in relation to a registered health practitioner or student registered by the Board if —
(a)the National Board reasonably believes that —
(i)because of the registered health practitioner’s conduct, performance or health, the practitioner poses a serious risk to persons; and
(ii)it is necessary to take immediate action to protect public health or safety;
or
(b)the National Board reasonably believes that —
(i)the student poses a serious risk to persons because the student —
(I)has been charged with an offence, or has been convicted or found guilty of an offence, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
(II)has, or may have, an impairment; or
(III)has, or may have, contravened a condition of the student’s registration or an undertaking given by the student to a National Board;
and
(ii)it is necessary to take immediate action to protect public health or safety;
or
(c)the registered health practitioner’s registration was improperly obtained because the practitioner or someone else gave the National Board information or a document that was false or misleading in a material particular; or
(d)the registered health practitioner’s or student’s registration has been cancelled or suspended under the law of a jurisdiction, whether in Australia or elsewhere, that is not a participating jurisdiction.
(2)However, the National Board may take immediate action that consists of suspending, or imposing a condition on, the health practitioner’s or student’s registration only if the Board has complied with section 157.
(1)If a National Board is proposing to take immediate action that consists of suspending, or imposing a condition on, a registered health practitioner’s or student’s registration under section 156, the Board must —
(a)give the practitioner or student notice of the proposed immediate action; and
(b)invite the practitioner or student to make a submission to the Board, within the time stated in the notice about the proposed immediate action.
(2)A notice given to a registered health practitioner or student under subsection (1), and any submissions made by the practitioner or student in accordance with the notice, may be written or verbal.
(3)The National Board must have regard to any submissions made by the registered health practitioner or student in accordance with this section in deciding whether to take immediate action in relation to the practitioner or student.
158.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student about immediate action
(1)Immediately after deciding to take immediate action in relation to a registered health practitioner or student, the National Board must —
(a)give written notice of the Board’s decision to the health practitioner or student; and
(b)take the further action under this Part the Board considers appropriate, including, for example, investigating the practitioner or student or requiring the practitioner or student to undergo a health or performance assessment.
(2)The notice must state —
(a)the immediate action the National Board has decided to take; and
(b)the reasons for the decision to take the immediate action; and
(c)the further action the National Board proposes to take under this Part in relation to the health practitioner or student; and
(d)that the registered health practitioner or student may appeal against the decision to take the immediate action if the action is to suspend, or impose a condition on, the practitioner’s or student’s registration; and
(e)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
159.Period of immediate action
(1)The decision by the National Board to take immediate action in relation to the registered health practitioner or student takes effect on —
(a)the day the notice is given to the practitioner or student; or
(b)the later day stated in the notice.
(2)The decision continues to have effect until the earlier of the following occurs —
(a)the decision is set aside on appeal;
(b)for the suspension of, or imposition of conditions on, the registered health practitioner’s or student’s registration, the suspension is revoked, or the conditions are removed, by the National Board;
(c)for an undertaking, the National Board and the registered health practitioner or student agree to end the undertaking.
160.When investigation may be conducted
(1)A National Board may investigate a registered health practitioner or student registered by the Board if it decides it is necessary or appropriate —
(a)because the Board has received a notification about the practitioner or student; or
(b)because the Board for any other reason believes —
(i)the practitioner or student has or may have an impairment; or
(ii)for a practitioner —
(I)the way the practitioner practises the profession is or may be unsatisfactory; or
(II)the practitioner’s conduct is or may be unsatisfactory;
or
(c)to ensure the practitioner or student —
(i)is complying with conditions imposed on the practitioner’s or student’s registration; or
(ii)is complying with an undertaking given by the practitioner or student to the Board.
(2)If a National Board decides to investigate a registered health practitioner or student it must direct an appropriate investigator to conduct the investigation.
161.Registered health practitioner or student to be given notice of investigation
(1)A National Board that decides to investigate a registered health practitioner or student must, as soon as practicable after making the decision, give the practitioner or student written notice about the investigation.
(2)The notice must advise the registered health practitioner or student of the nature of the matter being investigated.
(3)Also, the National Board must, at not less than 3 monthly intervals, give the written notice of the progress of the investigation to —
(a)the registered health practitioner or student; and
(b)if the investigation relates to a notification made about the registered health practitioner or student, the notifier.
(4)However, the National Board need not give the registered health practitioner or student a notice under subsection (1) or (3) if the Board reasonably believes giving the notice may —
(a)seriously prejudice the investigation; or
(b)place at risk a person’s health or safety; or
(c)place a person at risk of harassment or intimidation.
162.Investigation to be conducted in timely way
The National Board must ensure an investigator it directs to conduct an investigation conducts the investigation as quickly as practicable, having regard to the nature of the matter to be investigated.
163.Appointment of investigators
(1)A National Board may appoint the following persons as investigators —
(a)members of the National Agency’s staff;
(b)contractors engaged by the National Agency.
(2)An investigator holds office on the conditions stated in the instrument of appointment.
(3)If an investigator’s appointment provides for a term of appointment, the investigator ceases holding office at the end of the term.
(4)An investigator may resign by signed notice of resignation given to the National Board which appointed the investigator.
(5)Schedule 5 sets out provisions relating to the powers of an investigator.
(1)A National Board must give an identity card to each investigator it appoints.
(2)The identity card must —
(a)contain a recent photograph of the investigator; and
(b)be signed by the investigator; and
(c)identify the person as an investigator appointed by the National Board; and
(d)include an expiry date.
(3)This section does not prevent the issue of a single identity card to a person —
(a)if the person is appointed as an investigator for this Law by more than one National Board; or
(b)for this Law and other Acts.
(4)A person who ceases to be an investigator must give the person’s identity card to the National Board that appointed the person within 7 days after the person ceases to be an investigator, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
(1)An investigator may exercise a power in relation to someone else (the other person) only if the investigator —
(a)first produces the investigator’s identity card for the other person’s inspection; or
(b)has the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the other person.
(2)However, if for any reason it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1) before exercising the power, the investigator must produce the identity card for the other person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.
Subdivision 3 — Procedure after investigation
166.Investigator’s report about investigation
(1)As soon as practicable after completing an investigation under this Division, an investigator must give a written report about the investigation to the National Board that directed the investigator to carry out the investigation.
(2)The report must include —
(a)the investigator’s findings about the investigation; and
(b)the investigator’s recommendations about any action to be taken in relation to the health practitioner or student the subject of the investigation.
167.Decision by National Board
After considering the investigator’s report, the National Board must decide —
(a)to take no further action in relation to the matter; or
(b)to do either or both of the following —
(i)take the action the Board considers necessary or appropriate under another Division;
(ii)refer the matter to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action.
Division 9 — Health and performance assessments
In this Division —
assessment means —
(a)a health assessment; or
(b)a performance assessment.
169.Requirement for health assessment
A National Board may require a registered health practitioner or student to undergo a health assessment if the Board reasonably believes, because of a notification or for any other reason, that the practitioner or student has, or may have, an impairment.
170.Requirement for performance assessment
A National Board may require a registered health practitioner to undergo a performance assessment if the Board reasonably believes, because of a notification or for any other reason, that the way the practitioner practises the profession is or may be unsatisfactory.
171.Appointment of assessor to carry out assessment
(1)If the National Board requires a registered health practitioner or student to undergo an assessment, the National Agency must appoint an assessor chosen by the Board to carry out the assessment.
(2)The assessor must be —
(a)for a health assessment, a medical practitioner or psychologist who is not a member of the National Board; or
(b)for a performance assessment, a registered health practitioner who is a member of the health profession for which the National Board is established but is not a member of the Board.
(3)The assessor may ask another health practitioner to assist the assessor in carrying out the assessment of the registered health practitioner or student.
(4)The assessor’s fee for carrying out the assessment is to be paid out of the National Board’s budget.
172.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student about assessment
(1)A requirement by a National Board for a registered health practitioner or student to undergo an assessment must be made by written notice given to the practitioner or student.
(2)The written notice must state —
(a)that the registered health practitioner or student is required to undergo a health assessment or performance assessment; and
(b)the nature of the assessment to be carried out; and
(c)the name and qualifications of the registered health practitioner who is to carry out the assessment; and
(d)that if the registered health practitioner or student does not undergo the assessment the National Board may continue to take proceedings in relation to the practitioner or student under this Part.
173.Assessor may require information or attendance
For the purposes of conducting an assessment of a registered health practitioner or student, an assessor may, by written notice given to the practitioner or student, require the practitioner or student to —
(a)give stated information to the assessor within a stated reasonable time and in a stated reasonable way; or
(b)attend before the assessor at a stated time and a stated place to undergo the assessment.
Example of stated place:
The registered health practitioner’s principal place of practice.
(1)If a document is produced to an assessor, the assessor may —
(a)inspect the document; and
(b)make a copy of, or take an extract from, the document; and
(c)keep the document while it is necessary for the assessment.
(2)If the assessor keeps the document, the assessor must permit a person otherwise entitled to possession of the document to inspect, make a copy of, or take an extract from, the document at the reasonable time and place decided by the assessor.
The assessor must, as soon as practicable after carrying out the assessment, give to the National Board a report about the assessment.
176.Copy of report to be given to health practitioner or student
(1)The National Board must, as soon as practicable after receiving the assessor’s report, give a copy of the report to —
(a)the registered health practitioner or student to whom it relates; or
(b)if the report contains information the Board considers may, if disclosed to the practitioner or student, be prejudicial to the practitioner’s or student’s physical or mental health or wellbeing, to a medical practitioner or psychologist nominated by the practitioner or student.
(2)If a medical practitioner or psychologist is given a copy of a report about a registered health practitioner or student under subsection (1)(b), the medical practitioner or psychologist must give a copy of the report to the practitioner or student as soon as it will no longer be prejudicial to the practitioner’s or student’s health or wellbeing.
(3)After the registered health practitioner or student has been given a copy of the report under subsection (1)(a) or (2), a person nominated by the Board must —
(a)discuss the report with the practitioner or student; and
(b)if the report makes an adverse finding about the practitioner’s practice of the profession or states that the assessor finds the practitioner has an impairment, discuss with the practitioner ways of dealing with the finding, including, for a practitioner, whether the practitioner is prepared to alter the way the practitioner practises the health profession.
177.Decision by National Board
After considering the assessor’s report and the discussions held with the registered health practitioner or student under section 176(3), the National Board may decide to —
(a)take the action the Board considers necessary or appropriate under another Division; or
(b)refer the matter to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action; or
(c)take no further action in relation to the matter.
Division 10 — Action by National Board
178.National Board may take action
(1)This section applies if —
(a)a National Board reasonably believes, because of a notification or for any other reason —
(i)the way a registered health practitioner registered by the Board practises the health profession, or the practitioner’s professional conduct, is or may be unsatisfactory; or
(ii)a registered health practitioner or student registered by the Board has or may have an impairment; or
(iii)a student has been charged with an offence, or has been convicted or found guilty of an offence, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
(iv)a student has or may have contravened a condition of the student’s registration or an undertaking given by the student to a National Board;
and
(b)the matter is not required to be referred to a responsible tribunal under section 193; and
(c)the Board decides it is not necessary or appropriate to refer the matter to a panel.
(2)The National Board may decide to take one or more of the following actions (relevant action) in relation to the registered health practitioner or student —
(a)caution the registered health practitioner or student;
(b)accept an undertaking from the registered health practitioner or student;
(c)impose conditions on the practitioner’s or student’s registration, including, for example, in relation to a practitioner —
(i)a condition requiring the practitioner to complete specified further education or training within a specified period; or
(ii)a condition requiring the practitioner to undertake a specified period of supervised practice; or
(iii)a condition requiring the practitioner to do, or refrain from doing, something in connection with the practitioner’s practice; or
(iv)a condition requiring the practitioner to manage the practitioner’s practice in a specified way; or
(v)a condition requiring the practitioner to report to a specified person at specified times about the practitioner’s practice; or
(vi)a condition requiring the practitioner not to employ, engage or recommend a specified person, or class of persons;
(d)refer the matter to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action.
(3)If the National Board decides to impose a condition on the registered health practitioner’s or student’s registration, the Board must also decide a review period for the condition.
(1)If a National Board is proposing to take relevant action in relation to a registered health practitioner or student, the Board must —
(a)give the practitioner or student written notice of the proposed relevant action; and
(b)invite the practitioner or student to make a written or verbal submission to the Board, within the reasonable time stated in the notice, about the proposed relevant action.
(2)After considering any submissions made by the registered health practitioner or student in accordance with this section, the National Board must decide to —
(a)take no action in relation to the matter; or
(b)do either or both of the following —
(i)take the proposed relevant action or other relevant action;
(ii)refer the matter to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action.
(3)This section does not apply if —
(a)a National Board is proposing to take relevant action in relation to a registered health practitioner or student; and
(b)the National Board has, in relation to the matter that forms the basis for the relevant action —
(i)investigated the registered health practitioner or student under Division 8; or
(ii)conducted a health assessment or performance assessment of the registered health practitioner or student under Division 9.
180.Notice to be given to health practitioner or student and notifier
(1)As soon as practicable after making a decision under section 179(2), the National Board must give written notice of the decision to —
(a)the registered health practitioner or student; and
(b)if the decision was the result of a notification, the notifier.
(2)The notice given to the notifier must include information about the decision made by the Board only to the extent the information is available on the National Board’s register.
181.Establishment of health panel
(1)A National Board may establish a health panel if —
(a)the Board reasonably believes, because of a notification or for any other reason, that a registered health practitioner or student has or may have an impairment; and
(b)the Board decides it is necessary or appropriate for the matter to be referred to a panel.
(2)A health panel must consist of the following members chosen from a list referred to in section 183 —
(a)at least one member who is a registered health practitioner in the health profession for which the Board is established;
(b)at least one member who is a medical practitioner with expertise relevant to the matter the subject of the hearing;
(c)at least one member who is not, and has not been, a registered health practitioner in the health profession for which the Board has been established.
(3)In choosing members of the panel, the National Board must, if possible, choose a member from the jurisdiction in which the matter the subject of the hearing occurred.
(4)No more than half of the members of the panel may be registered health practitioners in the health profession for which the Board is established.
(5)However, if the registered health practitioner the subject of the hearing is a medical practitioner, a member of the panel referred to in subsection (2)(b) is not to be considered to be registered in the health profession for which the Board is established for the purposes of subsection (4).
(6)A person cannot be appointed to the panel if the person has been involved in any proceedings relating to the matter the subject of the hearing by the panel.
182.Establishment of performance and professional standards panel
(1)A National Board may establish a performance and professional standards panel if —
(a)the Board reasonably believes, because of a notification or for any other reason, that —
(i)the way a registered health practitioner practises the health profession is or may be unsatisfactory; or
(ii)the registered health practitioner’s professional conduct is or may be unsatisfactory;
and
(b)the Board decides it is necessary or appropriate for the matter to be referred to a panel.
(2)A performance and professional standards panel must consist of at least 3 members.
(3)In choosing members of the panel, the National Board must, if possible, choose a member from the jurisdiction in which the matter the subject of the hearing occurred.
(4)At least half, but no more than two‑thirds, of the members of the panel must be persons who are registered health practitioners in the health profession for which the Board is established, and chosen from a list approved under section 183.
(5)At least one member must be a person who represents the community and chosen from a list approved under section 183.
(6)A person may not be appointed to the panel if the person has been involved in any proceedings relating to the matter the subject of the hearing by the panel.
183.List of approved persons for appointment to panels
(1)A National Board may appoint individuals to a list of persons approved to be appointed as members of panels.
(2)To the extent practicable, individuals appointed under subsection (1) should not —
(a)for registered health practitioners, be individuals whose principal place of practice is in a co‑regulatory jurisdiction; or
(b)otherwise, be individuals who live in a co‑regulatory jurisdiction.
184.Notice to be given to registered health practitioner or student
(1)A panel must give notice of its hearing of a matter to the registered health practitioner or student the subject of the hearing.
(2)The notice must state —
(a)the day, time and place at which the hearing is to be held; and
(b)the nature of the hearing and the matters to be considered at the hearing; and
(c)that the registered health practitioner or student is required to attend the hearing; and
(d)that the registered health practitioner may be accompanied at the hearing by an Australian legal practitioner or other person; and
(e)that if the registered health practitioner or student fails to attend the hearing the hearing may continue, and the panel may make a decision, in the practitioner’s or student’s absence; and
(f)the types of decision the panel may make at the end of the hearing.
(1)Subject to this Division, a panel may decide its own procedures.
(2)A panel is required to observe the principles of natural justice but is not bound by the rules of evidence.
(3)A panel may have regard to —
(a)a report prepared by an assessor about the registered health practitioner or student; and
(b)any other information the panel considers relevant to the hearing of the matter.
(1)At a hearing of a panel, the registered health practitioner or student the subject of the hearing may be accompanied by an Australian legal practitioner or another person.
(2)An Australian legal practitioner or other person accompanying the registered health practitioner or student may appear on behalf of the practitioner or student only with the leave of the panel.
(3)The panel may grant leave for an Australian legal practitioner or other person to appear on behalf of the registered health practitioner or student only if the panel considers it appropriate in the particular circumstances of the hearing.
If a matter the subject of a hearing before a panel relates to a notification, the notifier may, with the leave of the panel, make a submission to the panel about the matter.
188.Panel may proceed in absence of registered health practitioner or student
At a hearing, a panel may proceed in the absence of the registered health practitioner or student the subject of the proceedings if the panel reasonably believes the practitioner or student has been given notice of the hearing.
189.Hearing not open to the public
A hearing before a panel is not open to the public.
190.Referral to responsible tribunal
A panel must stop hearing a matter and require the National Board that established the panel to refer the matter to a responsible tribunal under section 193 if, at any time —
(a)the practitioner or student the subject of the hearing asks the panel for the matter to be referred to a responsible tribunal under section 193; or
(b)if the subject of the hearing is a registered health practitioner —
(i)the panel reasonably believes the evidence demonstrates the practitioner may have behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct; or
(ii)the panel reasonably believes the evidence demonstrates the practitioner’s registration may have been improperly obtained because the practitioner or someone else gave the Board information or a document that was false or misleading in a material particular.
(1)After hearing a matter about a registered health practitioner, a panel may decide —
(a)the practitioner has no case to answer and no further action is to be taken in relation to the matter; or
(b)one or more of the following —
(i)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes unsatisfactory professional performance;
(ii)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes unprofessional conduct;
(iii)the practitioner has an impairment;
(iv)the matter must be referred to a responsible tribunal under section 193;
(v)the matter must be referred to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action.
(2)After hearing a matter about a student, a health panel may decide —
(a)the student has an impairment; or
(b)the matter must be referred to another entity, including, for example, a health complaints entity, for investigation or other action; or
(c)the student has no case to answer and no further action is to be taken in relation to the matter.
(3)If a panel decides a registered health practitioner or student has an impairment, or that a practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct, the panel may decide to do one or more of the following —
(a)impose conditions on the practitioner’s or student’s registration, including, for example, in relation to a practitioner —
(i)a condition requiring the practitioner to complete specified further education or training within a specified period; or
(ii)a condition requiring the practitioner to undertake a specified period of supervised practice; or
(iii)a condition requiring the practitioner to do, or refrain from doing, something in connection with the practitioner’s practice; or
(iv)a condition requiring the practitioner to manage the practitioner’s practice in a specified way; or
(v)a condition requiring the practitioner to report to a specified person at specified times about the practitioner’s practice; or
(vi)a condition requiring the practitioner not to employ, engage or recommend a specified person, or class of persons;
(b)for a health panel, suspend the practitioner’s or student’s registration;
(c)for a performance and professional standards panel, caution or reprimand the practitioner.
(4)If a panel decides to impose a condition on a registered health practitioner’s or student’s registration, the panel must also decide a review period for the condition.
(5)A decision by a panel that a registered health practitioner has no case to answer in relation to a matter does not prevent a National Board or adjudication body taking the matter into consideration at a later time as part of a pattern of conduct or practice by the health practitioner.
192.Notice to be given about panel’s decision
(1)As soon as practicable after making a decision under section 191, a panel must give notice of its decision to the National Board that established it.
(2)The National Board must, within 30 days after the panel makes its decision, give written notice of the decision to —
(a)the registered health practitioner or student the subject of the hearing; and
(b)if the hearing related to a notification, the notifier.
(3)The notice given to the registered health practitioner or student must state —
(a)the decision made by the panel; and
(b)the reasons for the decision; and
(c)that the registered health practitioner or student may appeal against the decision; and
(d)how an application for appeal may be made and the period within which the application must be made.
(4)The notice to the notifier must include information about the decision made by the panel but only to the extent the information is available on the National Board’s register.
Division 12 — Referring matter to responsible tribunals
193.Matters to be referred to responsible tribunal
(1)A National Board must refer a matter about a registered health practitioner or student to a responsible tribunal if —
(a)for a registered health practitioner, the Board reasonably believes, based on a notification or for any other reason —
(i)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct; or
(ii)the practitioner’s registration was improperly obtained because the practitioner or someone else gave the Board information or a document that was false or misleading in a material particular;
or
(b)for a registered health practitioner or student, a panel established by the Board requires the Board to refer the matter to a responsible tribunal.
(2)The National Board must —
(a)refer the matter to —
(i)the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the behaviour the subject of the matter occurred; or
(ii)if the behaviour occurred in more than one jurisdiction, the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the practitioner’s principal place of practice is located;
and
(b)give written notice of the referral to the registered health practitioner or student to whom the matter relates.
194.Parties to the proceedings
The parties to proceedings relating to a matter being heard by a responsible tribunal are —
(a)the registered health practitioner or student who is the subject of the proceedings; and
(b)the National Board that referred the matter to the tribunal.
The responsible tribunal may make any order about costs it considers appropriate for the proceedings.
196.Decision by responsible tribunal about registered health practitioner
(1)After hearing a matter about a registered health practitioner, a responsible tribunal may decide —
(a)the practitioner has no case to answer and no further action is to be taken in relation to the matter; or
(b)one or more of the following —
(i)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes unsatisfactory professional performance;
(ii)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes unprofessional conduct;
(iii)the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct;
(iv)the practitioner has an impairment;
(v)the practitioner’s registration was improperly obtained because the practitioner or someone else gave the National Board that registered the practitioner information or a document that was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2)If a responsible tribunal makes a decision referred to in subsection (1)(b), the tribunal may decide to do one or more of the following —
(a)caution or reprimand the practitioner;
(b)impose a condition on the practitioner’s registration, including, for example —
(i)a condition requiring the practitioner to complete specified further education or training, or to undergo counselling, within a specified period; or
(ii)a condition requiring the practitioner to undertake a specified period of supervised practice; or
(iii)a condition requiring the practitioner to do, or refrain from doing, something in connection with the practitioner’s practice; or
(iv)a condition requiring the practitioner to manage the practitioner’s practice in a specified way; or
(v)a condition requiring the practitioner to report to a specified person at specified times about the practitioner’s practice; or
(vi)a condition requiring the practitioner not to employ, engage or recommend a specified person, or class of persons;
(c)require the practitioner to pay a fine of not more than $30 000 to the National Board that registers the practitioner;
(d)suspend the practitioner’s registration for a specified period;
(e)cancel the practitioner’s registration.
(3)If the responsible tribunal decides to impose a condition on the practitioner’s registration, the tribunal must also decide a review period for the condition.
(4)If the tribunal decides to cancel a person’s registration under this Law or the person does not hold registration under this Law, the tribunal may also decide to —
(a)disqualify the person from applying for registration as a registered health practitioner for a specified period; or
(b)prohibit the person from using a specified title or providing a specified health service.
197.Decision by responsible tribunal about student
(1)After hearing a matter about a student, a responsible tribunal may decide —
(a)the student has an impairment; or
(b)the student has no case to answer and no further action is to be taken in relation to the matter.
(2)If the responsible tribunal decides the student has an impairment, the tribunal may decide to —
(a)impose a condition on the student’s registration; or
(b)suspend the student’s registration.
198.Relationship with Act establishing responsible tribunal
This Division applies despite any provision to the contrary of the Act that establishes the responsible tribunal but does not otherwise limit that Act.
(1)A person who is the subject of any of the following decisions (an appellable decision) may appeal against the decision to the appropriate responsible tribunal for the appellable decision —
(a)a decision by a National Board to refuse to register the person;
(b)a decision by a National Board to refuse to endorse the person’s registration;
(c)a decision by a National Board to refuse to renew the person’s registration;
(d)a decision by a National Board to refuse to renew the endorsement of the person’s registration;
(e)a decision by a National Board to impose or change a condition on a person’s registration or the endorsement of the person’s registration, other than —
(i)a condition relating to the person’s qualification for general registration in the health profession; and
(ii)a condition imposed by section 112(3)(a);
(f)a decision by a National Board to refuse to change or remove a condition imposed on the person’s registration or the endorsement of the person’s registration;
(g)a decision by a National Board to refuse to change or revoke an undertaking given by the person to the Board;
(h)a decision by a National Board to suspend the person’s registration;
(i)a decision by a panel to impose a condition on the person’s registration;
(j)a decision by a health panel to suspend the person’s registration;
(k)a decision by a performance and professional standards panel to reprimand the person.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), the appropriate responsible tribunal for an appellable decision is —
(a)for a decision to take health, conduct or performance action in relation to a registered health practitioner or student —
(i)the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the behaviour the subject of the decision occurred; or
(ii)if the behaviour the subject of the decision occurred in more than one jurisdiction, the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the practitioner’s principal place of practice is located;
or
(b)for another decision in relation to a registered health practitioner, the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the practitioner’s principal place of practice is located; or
(c)for another decision in relation to a student, the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the student is undertaking the approved programme of study or clinical training; or
(d)for a decision in relation to another person —
(i)the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction in which the person lives; or
(ii)if the person does not live in a participating jurisdiction, the responsible tribunal for the participating jurisdiction nominated by the National Board that made the appellable decision and specified in the notice given to the person of the appellable decision.
200.Parties to the proceedings
The parties to proceedings relating to an appellable decision being heard by a responsible tribunal are —
(a)the person who is the subject of the appellable decision; and
(b)the National Board that —
(i)made the appellable decision; or
(ii)established the panel that made the appellable decision.
The responsible tribunal may make any order about costs it considers appropriate for the proceedings.
(1)After hearing the matter, the responsible tribunal may —
(a)confirm the appellable decision; or
(b)amend the appellable decision; or
(c)substitute another decision for the appellable decision.
(2)In substituting another decision for the appellable decision, the responsible tribunal has the same powers as the entity that made the appellable decision.
203.Relationship with Act establishing responsible tribunal
This Division applies despite any provision to the contrary of the Act that establishes the responsible tribunal but does not otherwise limit that Act.
204.Notice from adjudication body
(1)If an adjudication body, other than a court, makes a decision in relation to a health practitioner or student registered in a health profession, it must give written notice of the decision to the National Board established for the profession.
(2)The notice must state —
(a)the decision made by the adjudication body; and
(b)the reasons for the decision; and
(c)the date the decision takes effect; and
(d)any action the National Board must take to give effect to the decision.
205.Implementation of decisions
(1)A National Board must give effect to a decision of an adjudication body unless the decision is stayed on appeal.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the National Board must, if the notice given to the Board states that a health practitioner’s or student’s registration is cancelled, remove the practitioner’s or student’s name from the appropriate register kept by the Board.
206.National Board to give notice to registered health practitioner’s employer
(1)This section applies if —
(a)a National Board —
(i)decides to take health, conduct or performance action against a registered health practitioner; or
(ii)receives notice from an adjudication body that the adjudication body has decided to take health, conduct or performance action against a registered health practitioner; or
(iii)receives notice from a co‑regulatory authority that an adjudication body in the co‑regulatory jurisdiction has decided to take health, conduct or performance action against a registered health practitioner;
and
(b)the National Board has been advised by the registered health practitioner that the practitioner is employed by another entity.
Note:Under section 132, a National Board may ask a registered health practitioner to give the Board information about whether or not the practitioner is employed by another entity and, if so, for the employer’s details.
(2)The National Board must, as soon as practicable after making the decision or receiving the notice, give written notice of the decision to take health, conduct or performance action against the registered health practitioner to the practitioner’s employer.
If a person’s registration as a health practitioner or student is suspended under this Law the person is taken during the period of suspension not to be registered under this Law, other than for the purposes of this Part.
208.Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Fund
(1)The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Fund is established.
(2)The Agency Fund is to have a separate account for each National Board.
(3)The Agency Fund is a fund to be administered by the National Agency.
(4)The National Agency may establish accounts with any financial institution for money in the Agency Fund.
(5)The Agency Fund does not form part of the consolidated fund or consolidated account of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth.
(1)There is payable into the Agency Fund —
(a)all money appropriated by the Parliament of any participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth for the purposes of the Fund; and
(b)all fees, costs and expenses paid or recovered under this Law; and
(c)all fines paid to, or recovered by, a National Board in accordance with an order of an adjudication body; and
(d)the proceeds of the investment of money in the Fund; and
(e)all grants, gifts and donations made to the National Agency or a National Board, but subject to any trusts declared in relation to the grants, gifts or donations; and
(f)all money directed or authorised to be paid into the Fund by or under this Law, any law of a participating jurisdiction or any law of the Commonwealth; and
(g)any other money or property received by the National Agency or a National Board in connection with the exercise of its functions.
(2)Any money paid into the Agency Fund under subsection (1) for or on behalf of a National Board must be paid into the Board’s account kept within the Agency Fund.
210.Payments out of Agency Fund
(1)Payments may be made from the Agency Fund for the purpose of —
(a)paying any costs or expenses, or discharging any liabilities, incurred in the administration or enforcement of this Law; and
(b)making payments to co‑regulatory authorities; and
(c)any other payments recommended by the National Board or National Agency and approved by the Ministerial Council.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1)(a), a payment may be made from the Agency Fund to a responsible tribunal to meet the expenses of the responsible tribunal in performing functions under this Law.
(3)A payment under subsection (1) may be made from a National Board’s account kept within the Agency Fund only if the payment is in accordance with the Board’s budget or otherwise approved by the Board.
211.Investment of money in Agency Fund
(1)Subject to this section, the National Agency may invest money in the Agency Fund in the way it considers appropriate.
(2)The National Agency may invest money in a National Board’s account kept within the Agency Fund only if the Agency has consulted the Board about the investment.
(3)An investment under this section must be —
(a)in Australian money; and
(b)undertaken in Australia.
(4)The National Agency must use its best efforts to invest money in the Agency Fund in a way it considers is most appropriate in all the circumstances.
(5)The National Agency must keep records that show it has invested in the way most appropriate in the circumstances.
(6)A security, safe custody acknowledgment or other document evidencing title accepted, guaranteed or issued for an investment arrangement must be held by the National Agency.
212.Financial management duties of National Agency and National Boards
(1)The National Agency must —
(a)ensure that its operations are carried out efficiently, effectively and economically; and
(b)keep proper books and records in relation to the Agency Fund; and
(c)ensure that expenditure is made from the Agency Fund for lawful purposes only and, as far as possible, reasonable value is obtained for moneys expended from the Fund; and
(d)ensure that its procedures, including internal control procedures, afford adequate safeguards with respect to —
(i)the correctness, regularity and propriety of payments made from the Agency Fund; and
(ii)receiving and accounting for payments made to the Agency Fund; and
(iii)prevention of fraud or mistake;
and
(e)take any action necessary to ensure the preparation of accurate financial statements in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards for inclusion in its annual report; and
(f)take any action necessary to facilitate the audit of those financial statements in accordance with this Law; and
(g)arrange for any further audit by a qualified person of the books and records kept by the National Agency in relation to the Agency Fund, if directed to do so by the Ministerial Council.
(2)A National Board must —
(a)ensure that its operations are carried out efficiently, effectively and economically; and
(b)take any action necessary to ensure that the National Agency is able to comply with this section in relation to the funding of the National Board in exercising its functions.
Part 10 — Information and privacy
213.Application of Commonwealth Privacy Act
(1)The Privacy Act applies as a law of a participating jurisdiction for the purposes of the national registration and accreditation scheme.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), the Privacy Act applies —
(a)as if a reference to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner were a reference to the Office of the National Health Practitioners Privacy Commissioner; and
(b)as if a reference to the Privacy Commissioner were a reference to the National Health Practitioners Privacy Commissioner; and
(c)with any other modifications made by the regulations.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2)(c), the regulations may —
(a)provide that the Privacy Act applies under subsection (1) as if a provision of the Privacy Act specified in the regulations were omitted; or
(b)provide that the Privacy Act applies under subsection (1) as if an amendment to the Privacy Act made by a law of the Commonwealth, and specified in the regulations, had not taken effect; or
(c)confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a participating jurisdiction.
(4)In this section —
Privacy Act means the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth), as in force from time to time.
Division 2 — Disclosure of information and confidentiality
214.Term used: protected information
In this Division —
protected information means information that comes to a person’s knowledge in the course of, or because of, the person exercising functions under this Law.
215.Application of Commonwealth FOI Act
(1)The FOI Act applies as a law of a participating jurisdiction for the purposes of the national registration and accreditation scheme.
(2)The regulations under this Law may modify the FOI Act for the purposes of this Law.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2), the regulations may —
(a)provide that the FOI Act applies under subsection (1) as if a provision of the FOI Act specified in the regulations were omitted; or
(b)provide that the FOI Act applies under subsection (1) as if an amendment to the FOI Act made by a law of the Commonwealth, and specified in the regulations, had not taken effect; or
(c)confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a participating jurisdiction.
(4)In this section —
FOI Act means the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Commonwealth), as in force from time to time.
(1)A person who is, or has been, a person exercising functions under this Law must not disclose to another person protected information.
Penalty:
(a)in the case of an individual — a fine of $5 000;
(b)in the case of a body corporate — a fine of $10 000.
(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply if —
(a)the information is disclosed in the exercise of a function under, or for the purposes of, this Law; or
(b)the disclosure —
(i)is to a co‑regulatory authority; or
(ii)is authorised or required by any law of a participating jurisdiction;
or
(c)the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law; or
(d)the disclosure is with the agreement of the person to whom the information relates; or
(e)the disclosure is in a form that does not identify the identity of a person; or
(f)the information relates to proceedings before a responsible tribunal and the proceedings are or were open to the public; or
(g)the information is, or has been, accessible to the public, including because it is or was recorded in a National Register; or
(h)the disclosure is otherwise authorised by the Ministerial Council.
217.Disclosure of information for workforce planning
(1)The Ministerial Council may, by written notice given to a National Board, ask the Board for information required by the Council for planning the workforce of health practitioners, or a class of practitioners, in Australia or a part of Australia.
(2)If a National Board receives a request under subsection (1), the Board may, by written notice given to health practitioners registered by the Board, ask the practitioners for information relevant to the request.
(3)A registered health practitioner who is asked to provide information under subsection (2) may, but is not required to, provide the information.
(4)The National Board —
(a)must give information received from a registered health practitioner to the Ministerial Council in a way that does not identify any registered health practitioner; and
(b)must not use information received under this section that identifies a registered health practitioner for any other purpose.
(5)The Ministerial Council must publish information it receives under this section in a way that is timely and ensures it is accessible to the public.
218.Disclosure of information for information management and communication purposes
(1)A person may disclose protected information to an information management agency if the disclosure is in accordance with an authorisation given by the Ministerial Council under subsection (2).
(2)The Ministerial Council may authorise the disclosure of protected information to an information management agency if the Council is satisfied —
(a)the protected information will be collected, stored and used by the information management agency in a way that ensures the privacy of the persons to whom it relates is protected; and
(b)the provision of the protected information to the information management agency is necessary to enable the agency to exercise its functions.
(3)An authorisation under subsection (2) —
(a)may apply to protected information generally or a class of protected information; and
(b)may be subject to conditions.
(4)In this section —
information management agency means a Commonwealth, State or Territory agency that has functions relating to the identification of health practitioners for information management and communication purposes, including, for example, the National E‑health Transition Authority.
219.Disclosure of information to other Commonwealth, State and Territory entities
(1)A person exercising functions under this Law may disclose protected information to the following entities —
(a)the chief executive officer under the Medicare Australia Act 1973 3 (Commonwealth);
(b)an entity performing functions under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Commonwealth);
(c)the Secretary within the meaning of the National Health Act 1953 (Commonwealth);
(d)the Secretary to the Department in which the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth) is administered;
(e)another Commonwealth, State or Territory entity having functions relating to professional services provided by health practitioners or the regulation of health practitioners.
(2)However, a person may disclose protected information under subsection (1) only if the person is satisfied —
(a)the protected information will be collected, stored and used by the entity to which it is disclosed in a way that ensures the privacy of the persons to whom it relates is protected; and
(b)the provision of the protected information to the entity is necessary to enable the entity to exercise its functions.
220.Disclosure to protect health or safety of patients or other persons
(1)This section applies if a National Board reasonably believes that —
(a)a registered health practitioner poses, or may pose, a risk to public health; or
(b)the health or safety of a patient or a class of patients is or may be at risk because of a registered health practitioner’s practice as a health practitioner.
(2)The National Board may give written notice of the risk and any relevant information about the registered health practitioner to an entity of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory that the Board considers may be required to take action in relation to the risk.
221.Disclosure to registration authorities
A person exercising functions under this Law may disclose protected information to a registration authority if the disclosure is necessary for the authority to exercise its functions.
Division 3 — Registers in relation to registered health practitioner
(1)Each of the following National Boards must, in conjunction with the National Agency —
(a)keep the public national register listed beside that Board in the following Table that is to include the names of all health practitioners, other than specialist health practitioners, currently registered by the Board; and
(b)if Divisions are listed beside the public national register in the Table, keep the register in a way that ensures it includes those Divisions.
(2)In addition, each National Board must keep a public national register that is to include the names of all health practitioners, other than specialist health practitioners, who were registered by the Board and whose registration has been cancelled by an adjudication body.
Table — Public national registers
|
Name of Board |
Name of public national register |
Divisions of public national register |
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia |
Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners |
|
|
Chinese Medicine Board of Australia |
Register of Chinese Medicine Practitioners |
Acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners, Chinese herbal dispensers |
|
Chiropractic Board of Australia |
Register of Chiropractors |
|
|
Dental Board of Australia |
Register of Dental Practitioners |
Dentists, Dental therapists, Dental hygienists, Dental prosthetists, Oral health therapists |
|
Medical Board of Australia |
Register of Medical Practitioners |
|
|
Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia |
Register of Medical Radiation Practitioners |
Diagnostic radiographers, Nuclear medicine technologists, Radiation therapists |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia |
Register of Nurses |
Registered nurses (Division 1), Enrolled nurses (Division 2) |
|
|
Register of Midwives |
|
|
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia |
Register of Occupational Therapists |
|
|
Optometry Board of Australia |
Register of Optometrists |
|
|
Osteopathy Board of Australia |
Register of Osteopaths |
|
|
Pharmacy Board of Australia |
Register of Pharmacists |
|
|
Physiotherapy Board of Australia |
Register of Physiotherapists |
|
|
Podiatry Board of Australia |
Register of Podiatrists |
|
|
Psychology Board of Australia |
Register of Psychologists |
|
The National Board established for a health profession for which specialist recognition operates under this Law must, in conjunction with the National Agency, keep —
(a)a public national specialists register that includes the names of all specialist health practitioners currently registered by the Board; and
(b)a public national register that includes the names of all specialist health practitioners whose registration has been cancelled by an adjudication body.
224.Way registers are to be kept
Subject to this Division, a register a National Board is required to keep under this Division must be kept —
(a)in a way that ensures it is up‑to‑date and accurate; and
(b)otherwise in the way the National Agency considers appropriate.
225.Information to be recorded in National Register
A National Register or Specialists Register must include the following information for each registered health practitioner whose name is included in the register —
(a)the practitioner’s sex;
(b)the suburb and postcode of the practitioner’s principal place of practice;
(c)the registration number or code given to the practitioner by the National Board;
(d)the date on which the practitioner was first registered in the health profession in Australia, whether under this Law or a corresponding prior Act;
(e)the date on which the practitioner’s registration expires;
(f)the type of registration held by the practitioner;
(g)if the register includes divisions, the division in which the practitioner is registered;
(h)if the practitioner holds specialist registration, the recognised specialty in which the practitioner is registered;
(i)if the practitioner holds limited registration, the purpose for which the practitioner is registered;
(j)if the practitioner has been reprimanded, the fact that the practitioner has been reprimanded;
(k)if a condition has been imposed on the practitioner’s registration or the National Board has entered into an undertaking with the practitioner —
(i)if section 226(1) applies, the fact that a condition has been imposed or an undertaking accepted; or
(ii)otherwise, details of the condition or undertaking;
(l)if the practitioner’s registration is suspended, the fact that the practitioner’s registration has been suspended and, if the suspension is for a specified period, the period during which the suspension applies;
(m)if the practitioner’s registration has been endorsed, details of the endorsement;
(n)details of any qualifications relied on by the practitioner to obtain registration or to have the practitioner’s registration endorsed;
(o)if the practitioner has advised the National Board the practitioner fluently speaks a language other than English, details of the other language spoken;
(p)any other information the National Board considers appropriate.
226.National Board may decide not to include or to remove certain information in register
(1)A National Board may decide that a condition imposed on a registered health practitioner’s registration, or the details of an undertaking accepted from a registered health practitioner, because the practitioner has an impairment is not to be recorded in its National Register or Specialists Register if —
(a)it is necessary to protect the practitioner’s privacy; and
(b)there is no overriding public interest for the condition or the details of the undertaking to be recorded.
(2)A National Board may decide that information relating to a registered health practitioner is not to be recorded in its National Register or Specialists Register if —
(a)the practitioner asks the Board not to include the information in the register; and
(b)the Board reasonably believes the inclusion of the information in the register would present a serious risk to the health or safety of the practitioner.
(3)A National Board may decide to remove information that a registered health practitioner has been reprimanded from the National Register or Specialists Register if it considers it is no longer necessary or appropriate for the information to be recorded on the Register.
227.Register about former registered health practitioners
A register kept by a National Board under section 222(2) or 223(b) must include the following information for each health practitioner whose registration was cancelled by an adjudication body —
(a)the fact that the practitioner’s registration was cancelled by an adjudication body;
(b)the grounds on which the practitioner’s registration was cancelled;
(c)if the adjudication body’s hearing of the matter was open to the public, details of the conduct that formed the basis of the cancellation.
(1)The National Agency —
(a)must keep each register kept by a National Board under this Division open for inspection, free of charge, by members of the public —
(i)at its national office and each of its local offices during ordinary office hours; and
(ii)on the Agency’s website;
and
(b)must give a person an extract from the register on payment of the relevant fee; and
(c)may give a person a copy of the register on payment of the relevant fee.
(2)The National Agency may give a person a copy of the register under subsection (1)(c) only if the Agency is satisfied it would be in the public interest to do so.
(3)The National Agency may waive, wholly or partly, the payment of a fee by a person under subsection (1)(b) or (c) if the Agency considers it appropriate in the circumstances.
Division 4 — Student registers
(1)Each National Board must, in conjunction with the National Agency, keep a student register that includes the name of all persons currently registered as students by the Board.
(2)A student register is not to be open to inspection by the public.
230.Information to be recorded in student register
(1)Subject to this Division, a student register kept by a National Board must be kept in the way the National Agency considers appropriate.
(2)A student register kept by a National Board must include the following information for each student whose name is included in the register —
(a)the student’s name;
(b)the student’s date of birth;
(c)the student’s sex;
(d)the student’s mailing address and any other contact details;
(e)the name of the education provider that is providing the approved programme of study being undertaken by the student;
(f)the date on which the student was first registered, whether under this law or a corresponding prior Act;
(g)the date on which the student started the approved programme of study;
(h)the date on which the student is expected to complete the approved programme of study;
(i)if the student has completed or otherwise ceased to be enrolled in the approved programme of study, the date of the completion or cessation;
(j)if a condition has been imposed on the student’s registration, details of the condition;
(k)if the Board accepts an undertaking from the student, details of the undertaking;
(l)any other information the Board considers appropriate.
231.Other records to be kept by National Boards
A National Board must keep a record of the following information for each health practitioner it registers —
(a)information that identifies the practitioner;
(b)the practitioner’s contact details;
(c)information about the practitioner’s registration or endorsement;
(d)information about any previous registration of the practitioner, whether in Australia or overseas;
(e)information about any notification made about the practitioner and any investigation and health, conduct or performance action taken as a result of the notification;
(f)information about the practitioner’s professional indemnity insurance arrangements;
(g)information about checks carried out by the Board about the practitioner’s criminal history and identity, including the nature of the check carried out, when it was carried out and the nature of the information provided by the check.
232.Record of adjudication decisions to be kept and made publicly available
(1)A National Board is to keep and publish on its website a record of decisions made by —
(a)panels established by the Board; and
(b)responsible tribunals that relate to registered health practitioners or students registered by the Board.
(2)The record is to be kept —
(a)in a way that does not identify persons involved in the matter, unless the decision was made by a responsible tribunal and the hearing was open to the public; and
(b)otherwise in the way decided by the National Board.
Division 6 — Unique Identifier
233.Unique identifier to be given to each registered health practitioner
(1)This section applies if —
(a)a National Board registers a person in the health profession for which the Board is established; and
(b)the person has not previously been registered by that Board or any other National Board.
(2)The National Board must, at the time of registering the person, give the person an identifying number or code (a unique identifier) that is unique to the person.
(3)The National Board must keep a record of the unique identifier given to the person.
(4)If the person is subsequently registered by the National Board or another Board the person is to continue to be identified by the unique identifier given to the person under subsection (2).
Division 1 — Provisions relating to persons exercising functions under law
234.General duties of persons exercising functions under this Law
(1)A person exercising functions under this Law must, when exercising the functions, act honestly and with integrity.
(2)A person exercising functions under this Law must exercise the person’s functions under this Law —
(a)in good faith; and
(b)in a financially responsible manner; and
(c)with a reasonable degree of care, diligence and skill.
(3)A person exercising functions under this Law must not make improper use of the person’s position or of information that comes to the person’s knowledge in the course of, or because of, the person’s exercise of the functions —
(a)to gain an advantage for himself or herself or another person; or
(b)to cause a detriment to the development, implementation or operation of the national registration and accreditation scheme.
235.Application of Commonwealth Ombudsman Act
(1)The Ombudsman Act applies as a law of a participating jurisdiction for the purposes of the national registration and accreditation scheme.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), the Ombudsman Act applies —
(a)as if a reference to the Commonwealth Ombudsman were a reference to the National Health Practitioners Ombudsman; and
(b)with any other modifications made by the regulations.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2), the regulations may —
(a)provide that the Ombudsman Act applies under subsection (1) as if a provision of the Ombudsman Act specified in the regulations were omitted; or
(b)provide that the Ombudsman Act applies under subsection (1) as if an amendment to the Ombudsman Act made by a law of the Commonwealth, and specified in the regulations, had not taken effect; or
(c)confer jurisdiction on a tribunal or court of a participating jurisdiction.
(4)In this section —
Ombudsman Act means the Ombudsman Act 1976 (Commonwealth), as in force from time to time.
236.Protection from personal liability for persons exercising functions
(1)A protected person is not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith —
(a)in the exercise of a function under this Law; or
(b)in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was the exercise of a function under this Law.
(2)Any liability resulting from an act or omission that would, but for subsection (1), attach to a protected person attaches instead to the National Agency.
(3)In this section —
protected person means any of the following —
(a)a member of the Advisory Council;
(b)a member of the Agency Management Committee;
(c)a member of a National Board or a committee of the National Board;
(d)a member of an external accreditation entity;
(e)a member of the staff of the National Agency;
(f)a consultant or contractor engaged by the National Agency;
(g)a person appointed by the National Agency to conduct an examination or assessment for a National Board;
(h)a person employed or engaged by an external accreditation entity to assist it with its accreditation function.
237.Protection from liability for persons making notification or otherwise providing information
(1)This section applies to a person who, in good faith —
(a)makes a notification under this Law; or
(b)gives information in the course of an investigation or for another purpose under this Law to a person exercising functions under this Law.
(2)The person is not liable, civilly, criminally or under an administrative process, for giving the information.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2) —
(a)the making of the notification or giving of the information does not constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct; and
(b)no liability for defamation is incurred by the person because of the making of the notification or giving of the information.
(4)The protection given to the person by this section extends to —
(a)a person who, in good faith, provided the person with any information on the basis of which the notification was made or the information was given; and
(b)a person who, in good faith, was otherwise concerned in the making of the notification or giving of the information.
238.Functions and powers of inspectors
(1)An inspector has the function of conducting investigations to enforce compliance with this Law.
(2)Schedule 6 sets out provisions relating to the powers of an inspector.
(1)A National Board may appoint the following persons as inspectors —
(a)members of the National Agency’s staff;
(b)contractors engaged by the National Agency.
(2)An inspector holds office on the conditions stated in the instrument of appointment.
(3)If an inspector’s appointment provides for a term of appointment, the inspector ceases holding office at the end of the term.
(4)An inspector may resign by signed notice of resignation given to the National Board that appointed the inspector.
(1)A National Board must give an identity card to each inspector it appoints.
(2)The identity card must —
(a)contain a recent photograph of the inspector; and
(b)be signed by the inspector; and
(c)identify the person as an inspector appointed by the National Board; and
(d)include an expiry date.
(3)This section does not prevent the issue of a single identity card to a person —
(a)if the person is appointed as an inspector for this Law by more than one National Board; or
(b)if the person is appointed as an inspector and investigator for this Law by a National Board; or
(c)for this Law and other Acts.
(4)A person who ceases to be an inspector must give the person’s identity card to the National Board that appointed the person within 7 days after the person ceases to be an inspector, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
(1)An inspector may exercise a power in relation to someone else (the other person) only if the inspector —
(a)first produces the inspector’s identity card for the other person’s inspection; or
(b)has the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the other person.
(2)However, if for any reason it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1) before exercising the power, the inspector must produce the identity card for the other person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.
Division 3 — Legal proceedings
A proceeding for an offence against this Law is to be by way of a summary proceeding before a court of summary jurisdiction.
243.Conduct may constitute offence and be subject of disciplinary proceedings
(1)If a person’s behaviour constitutes an offence against this Law or another Act and constitutes professional misconduct, unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct under this Law —
(a)the fact that proceedings for an offence have been taken in relation to the behaviour does not prevent proceedings being taken before an adjudication body under this Law for the same behaviour; and
(b)the fact that proceedings have been taken before an adjudication body under this Law in relation to the conduct does not prevent proceedings for an offence being taken for the same behaviour.
(2)If a person’s behaviour may be dealt with by a health complaints entity under the law of a participating jurisdiction and constitutes professional misconduct, unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct under this Law —
(a)the fact that the behaviour has been dealt with by the health complaints entity does not prevent proceedings being taken before an adjudication body under this Law for the same behaviour; and
(b)the fact that proceedings have been taken before an adjudication body under this Law in relation to the behaviour does not prevent action being taken by the health complaints entity under the law of the participating jurisdiction for the same behaviour.
A certificate purporting to be signed by the chief executive officer of the National Agency and stating any of the following matters is prima facie evidence of the matter —
(a)a stated document is one of the following things made, given, issued or kept under this Law —
(i)an appointment, approval or decision;
(ii)a notice, direction or requirement;
(iii)a certificate of registration;
(iv)a register, or an extract from a register;
(v)a record, or an extract from a record;
(b)a stated document is another document kept under this Law;
(c)a stated document is a copy of a document mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b);
(d)on a stated day, or during a stated period, a stated person was or was not a registered health practitioner or a student;
(e)on a stated day, or during a stated period, a registration or endorsement was or was not subject to a stated condition;
(f)on a stated day, a registration was suspended or cancelled;
(g)on a stated day, or during a stated period, an appointment as an investigator or inspector was, or was not, in force for a stated person;
(h)on a stated day, a stated person was given a stated notice or direction under this Law;
(i)on a stated day, a stated requirement was made of a stated person.
(1)The Ministerial Council may make regulations for the purposes of this Law.
(2)The regulations may provide for any matter that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Law.
(3)Despite section 7(1)(d) of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010, sections 41 and 42 of the Interpretation Act 1984 apply to regulations made under subsection (1).
(4)A regulation commences on the day or days specified in the regulation for its commencement (being not earlier than the date it is published).
246.Parliamentary scrutiny of national regulations
Note:Clause 246 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law does not form part of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law in Western Australia.
247.Effect of disallowance of national regulation
Note:Clause 247 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law does not form part of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law in Western Australia.
248.Combined notice may be given
If an entity is required under this Law to give another entity (the recipient) notices under more than one provision, the entity may give the recipient a combined notice for the provisions.
The National Agency may, in accordance with a health profession agreement entered into with a National Board —
(a)refund a relevant fee paid into the Board’s account kept in the Agency Fund; or
(b)waive, in whole or in part, a relevant fee payable for a service provided by the Board; or
(c)require a person who pays a relevant fee late to pay an additional fee.
Part 12 — Transitional provisions
In this Part —
commencement day means 1 July 2010;
local registration authority means an entity that had functions under a law of a participating jurisdiction that included the registration of persons as health practitioners;
participation day, for a participating jurisdiction, means —
(a)for a health profession other than a relevant health profession —
(i)1 July 2010; or
(ii)the later day on which the jurisdiction became a participating jurisdiction;
or
(b)for a relevant health profession, 1 July 2012;
relevant health profession means —
(a)Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice; or
(b)Chinese medicine; or
(c)medical radiation practice; or
(d)occupational therapy;
repealed Law means the Health Practitioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangements) National Law set out in the Schedule to the Health Practitioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangements) National Law Act 2008 (Queensland).
251.References to registered health practitioners
(1)A reference in an Act of a participating jurisdiction, or another instrument, to the Health Practitioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangements) National Law may, if the context permits, be taken to be a reference to this Law.
(2)A reference in an Act of a participating jurisdiction, or another instrument, to a health practitioner registered in a health profession under a corresponding prior Act may, if the context permits, be taken after the participation day to be a reference to a health practitioner registered in the health profession under this Law.
Division 2 — Ministerial Council
252.Directions given by Ministerial Council
A direction given by the Ministerial Council to the National Agency or a National Board under the repealed Law, and in force immediately before the commencement day, is taken from the commencement day to be a direction given by the Ministerial Council under this Law.
253.Accreditation functions exercised by existing accreditation entities
(1)This section applies to an entity that, immediately before the commencement day, was an entity appointed by the Ministerial Council under the repealed Law to exercise functions with respect to accreditation for a health profession under the national registration and accreditation scheme.
(2)From the commencement day, the entity is taken to have been appointed under this Law to exercise the functions for the health profession.
(3)An accreditation standard approved by the entity for a health profession, and in force immediately before the commencement day, is taken to be an approved accreditation standard for the health profession under this Law.
(4)The National Board established for the health profession must, not later than 3 years after the commencement day, review the arrangements for the exercise of accreditation functions for the health profession.
(5)The National Board must ensure the process for the review includes wide‑ranging consultation about the arrangements for the exercise of the accreditation functions.
(6)If an entity is taken under subsection (2) to have been appointed to exercise an accreditation function for a health profession, the National Board established for the profession must not, before the day that is 3 years after the commencement day, end that entity’s appointment.
254.Health profession standards approved by Ministerial Council
A health profession standard approved by the Ministerial Council under the repealed Law is taken from the commencement day to be an approved registration standard under this Law.
255.Accreditation standards approved by National Board
An accreditation standard approved by a National Board under the repealed Law is taken from the commencement day to be an approved accreditation standard under this Law.
256.Members of Advisory Council
(1)A person who was, immediately before the commencement day, a member of the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council under the repealed Law is taken to be a member of the Advisory Council under this Law.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a member of the Advisory Council continues to hold office —
(a)on the same terms and conditions that applied to the member’s appointment under the repealed Law; and
(b)until the day the member’s term of appointment under the repealed Law would have ended or the earlier day the member otherwise vacates office under this Law.
(3)The person who, immediately before the commencement day, held office as Chairperson of the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council under the repealed Law continues to hold office as Chairperson of the Advisory Council under this Law.