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National Registration and Accreditation
Overview
This page provides up to date information on the national registration and accreditation scheme (NRAS) for health professionals, with a particular focus on the changes that will affect the nursing and midwifery professions. RCNA encourages all nurses and midwives to visit this page regularly and stay informed about the transition to the Scheme, due to commence on 1 July 2010.
Latest News
On 17 June 2010 the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council has announced the approval the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s proposal for endorsement for scheduled medicines for eligible midwives and registration standards for eligible midwives. Click here to read the full communiqué, released on 17 June 2010.
Approved Registration Standards to take effect on 1 July 2010
On 1 April 2010 the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) released a document outlining the objectives of National Registration, outlining what nurses can expect in their transition to the scheme. Documents can be viewed below:
On 1 April 2010 The Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council announced its approval of national health practitioner registration standards in regards to the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions. The approval includes standards for scheduled medicines endorsements for suitably qualified and rural and isolated practice registered nurses (RNs). The proposed scheduled medicines endorsements for midwives, provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (the Board), has been delayed "pending the outcome of further priority discussions between the Board, and Commonwealth, State and Territory officials." For more information, read the 1 April 2010 Communiqué – Health Ministers Announce Approval of National Health Practitioner Registration Standards.
On 27 October 2009 the new NMBA released a set of draft national standards on registration and accreditation for nurses and midwives for public consultation, which can be viewed below:
Consultation Paper on Registration Standards and Related Matters
Consultation Paper on Draft Accreditation Standards for Nursing and Midwifery
ANMC Project - National Framework for Accreditation of Courses
Attachment 1 – Registered Nurses
Attachment 2 - Nurse Practitioners
Attachment 3 - Midwives
Attachment 4 – Enrolled Nurses
Status of Legislation
| QLD |
National Law Bill B Adopted - 7 October 2009 |
| NSW |
Bill C Passed - 11 November 2009 |
| VIC |
Bill C Passed - 27 November 2009 |
| ACT |
Bill C Introduced - 10 December 2009 |
| SA |
Bill C yet to be introduced |
| TAS |
Bill C Introduced - 17 November 2009 |
| WA |
Bill C yet to be introduced |
| NT |
Bill C Introduced - 26 November 2009 |
Updated: 6 January 2010
For more information on the status of legislation in State and Territory Parliaments click here and scroll down to Legislation.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
| Ms Gillie Anderson |
Appointed as a community member |
| Ms Angela Brannelly |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from the Northern Territory |
| Professor Elizabeth (Mary) Chiarella |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from New South Wales |
| Ms Anne Copeland |
Appointed as Chair and a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from Queensland |
| Dr Lynette Cusack |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from South Australia |
| Professor Denise Fassett |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from Tasmania |
| Mrs Lynne Geri |
Appointed as a practitioner member (enrolled nurse) from Victoria |
| Ms Louise Horgan |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from Western Australia |
| Ms Mary Kirk |
Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from the ACT |
| Dr Christine Murphy |
Appointed as a community member |
| Ms Heather Sjoberg |
Appointed as a community member |
| Ms Margaret Winn |
Appointed as a community member |
First meeting of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Health Ministers have announced appointments to the National Nursing and Midwifery Board for national registration and accreditation. The appointments have been made now to enable the Board to prepare for the commencement of the Scheme in July next year. For more information on the appointment of the national boards for each health profession, read the 31 August 2009 Communiqué – Health Ministers Announce Appointments to National Boards for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
What is the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme?
The Scheme will for the first time create a single registration and accreditation system for ten health professions, including chiropractors; dentists (including dental hygienists, dental prosthetists and dental therapists); medical practitioners; nurses and midwives; optometrists; osteopaths; pharmacists; physiotherapists; podiatrists; and psychologists. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, Chinese medicine practitioners, medical radiation practitioners, and occupational therapists will also be included in the Scheme from 1 July 2012.
The Scheme will enable health professionals to practice in any jurisdiction and help to promote greater flexibility and efficiency of the health workforce. The Scheme aims to improve management of practitioners and will also aid in the detection of those engaged in misconduct, unacceptable practice or impairment issues.
How will the Scheme affect you?
Details around the specific requirements for nurses and midwives under the Scheme are yet to be determined. RCNA will provide any new information and updates on these requirements as they become available.
Compulsory CPD - All health professionals, including nurses and midwives, will be required to participate in an approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program from their national board in order to renew registration. The professions of nursing and midwifery, while represented by one national board, will be regarded as separate under the Scheme.
Other requirements - Mandatory reporting, student registration, criminal history and identity checks, strong community member representation on national boards, ombudsman arrangements and easier public access to make complaints, are some key aspects that will be provided for under the Scheme.
For further information on the design and current status of the transition to the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, please follow the links below to access related key documents and communiqués.
Background on the Scheme
Announcement on Midwives and Homebirth arrangements - 4 September 2009
Key decisions arising from Ministers' consideration of submissions - 27 August 2009
AHMC joint communique - 4 September 2009
Health Ministers Announce Appointments to National Boards for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, Communique – 31 August 2009
Ministers consider submissions on legislation on national registration scheme, communique - 27 August 2009
Ministers Release Draft Legislation for National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions, Communiqué – 27 August 2009
Design of New National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, Communiqué – 8 May 2009
National Health Workforce Taskforce website
COAG Meeting communiqué 26 March 2008
RCNA's submissions on the scheme
APNMF submission (Inquiry into National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and Other Health Workers)
RCNA submission (Inquiry into Health Workforce Australia Bill 2009)
Useful links related to the Scheme
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council
Senate Inquiry into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and Other Health Workers
Nurses Board of Victoria FAQ sheet
Key legislation and other documents
Council of Australian Governments Intergovernmental Agreement on Health Workforce
Bill B Exposure draft of Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 (Bill B)
Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners)Bill 2009
Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme
Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Bill 2009
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