Retired: Grandparenting provisions registration standard

Grandparenting arrangements: Effective 1 July 2015, grandparenting arrangements that allowed some practitioners to become registered have expired. See the news item for more information.

Authority

This standard was approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council in December 2011 pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law), with approval taking effect from 1 July 2012.

Summary

Practitioners who were registered with the Aboriginal Health Workers Board of the Northern Territory will automatically transition to the new national registration and accreditation scheme from 1 July 2012. Registration under the national scheme is required in all states and territories of Australia that have enacted the National Law.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers who as of 1 July 2012 will be practising in a role designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, and who do not automatically transition into the national scheme, must apply for registration.

In states and territories which have not had registration prior to 1 July 2012, applicants will need to meet Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice) or equivalent.

Applicants who do not meet the qualification requirements under section 53 of the National Law may be eligible to apply for registration under the grandparenting arrangements.

Until 1 July 2015, individuals may be eligible to apply for registration under the grandparenting provisions if they meet the requirements under section 303.

If an applicant does not have the approved qualification, the Board, under the grandparenting provisions, may recognise alternative qualifications and/or experience equivalent to the approved qualification, which may allow an applicant to be considered for registration.

Applicants for registration must also meet the other standards of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Islander Practice Board of Australia in order to be eligible for registration as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner and be able to use the protected titles.

Scope of application

This standard applies to all applicants for general registration within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner profession under section 303 of the National Law. 

Requirements

This section is simplified in the associated guideline.

All applicants must be qualified for registration in order to satisfy the eligibility requirements under section 52. Section 303 sets out the qualifications for general registration. An individual who applies for registration as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner before 1 July 2015 may be qualified for general registration in the profession if the individual.

1. Satisfies section 303(1)(a): holds a qualification or has completed training in the profession that the National Board or its delegate considers to be adequate for the purposes of practising the profession. The National Board considers that Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice) or another equivalent qualification is adequate for the purposes of practising the profession; or, 
2. Satisfies section 303(1)(b): holds a qualification such as a Certificate III prior to 2008 that includes medication administration and clinical assessment (such as, but not limited to, a Certificate III in Aboriginal Health Work Clinical, a Certificate III in Indigenous Primary Health Care) and has completed any further study, training or a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice demonstrated by the evidence outlined in (c) below; or 
3. Satisfies section 303(1)(c): has practised as a clinical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker at any time between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2012 for a consecutive period of 5 years or for any periods which together amount to 5 years. An applicant for registration under section 303 (1)(c) must provide the following evidence or equivalent to the satisfaction of the Board:

• a minimum of two recent professional references from people who can be contacted by the Board or their delegate including at least one from a supervisor 
• documentary evidence of practising in the profession for a minimum of five years or part time equivalent between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2012
• copies of position/job descriptions, certified by employer/s with a description of the nature of the qualification, knowledge and skills required
• a resume or professional portfolio
• a statement of service or other documentation from employer/s that support claims of five years of practice
• a declaration declaring that an applicant has practised for five years in the profession

Definitions

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner means a person registered by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board. The practitioner may use the titles:

• Aboriginal health practitioner,
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner, or
• Torres Strait Islander health practitioner.

Clinical practice means direct clinical care of patients, using the current knowledge, skills and attitudes of the profession, whether remunerated or not, and regardless of job title. 

Review

This standard will commence on 1 July 2012 and cease on 1 July 2015.