What is the difference between a regulated and self-regulating profession?
Regulated professions
All allied health and health science professionals are either self-regulating or require a more significant degree of regulation due to their greater potential for harm.
The
National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) (external link)
commenced in Western Australia in October 2010 for the purpose of:
- protecting the public by ensuring that only suitably trained and qualified practitioners are registered
- facilitating workforce mobility across Australia
- enabling the continuous development of a flexible, responsive and sustainable Australian health workforce.
The NRAS is administered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Registration for some allied health and health science professions is a statutory requirement meaning the profession is regulated. Registration is normally with the relevant profession’s national board through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or other association.
View the relevant Registration Boards.
Self-regulating professions
A self-regulating profession involves professional peers in establishing and monitoring professional standards. These range from setting minimum entry and ongoing education standards, through to monitoring standards of ethical conduct.
Produced by
Chief Allied Health Office