Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Registration

Registration of Aboriginal Health Workers has been discussed in Victoria for a number of years. The Northern Territory has been the only territory or state where registration of Aboriginal Health Workers has been compulsory commencing in 1985.  Currently, NT Aboriginal Health Workers are required to have Certificate IV for registration.^[1]

The national regulation of the Aboriginal Health Workers will involve title restriction, evidence of practice and competency, national standards and a code of practice, and agreement regarding the areas of practice for Aboriginal Health Workers.  The role of Aboriginal Health Workers varied across Australia, developing on the basis of need and gaps within the health service system.  Eg: Aboriginal Health Workers in NT have had restricted medication administration roles.

From July 2012, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners will be required to be registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professionals.

The proposed mandatory registration standards are:

• Continuing professional development.
• Criminal history.
• English language skills.
• Professional indemnity insurance.
• Recency of Practice.

Other Board proposals are:

• Grandparenting registration standard.
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander registration standard.
• Eligibility for registration standards. ^[2]

More Information:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia – Consultation Paper doc
• AHPRA Website
  http://www.atsihealthpracticeboard.gov.au/

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References:

^{[1] www.health.nt.gov.au/Health_Practitioner_Registration_Boards/Health_Registration_Boards/Aboriginal_Health_Workers_Board
[2] Aboriginal Health Worker Supports for a workforce to ‘Close the Gap’ in Aboriginal health inequality, Review of policies which are influencing the practice and development of Aboriginal Health Workers in Victoria, VACCHO, 2008.
[3] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia – Consultation Paper 2011, AHPRA.}