Allied Health Regulation and Healthcare Accreditation in Australia

Self-regulation is a system where a professional association certifying qualifications sets and maintains standards and oversees continuing professional development (CPD) and professional conduct.
In Australia, several allied health professions are self-regulated rather than being registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (Ahpra).
Professional associations or accreditation bodies take responsibility for setting standards, certifying practitioners, and ensuring ongoing competence to support safe, ethical, and high-quality care.

Sonographers are not currently registered under Ahpra; the profession is self-regulated through the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR).
ASAR performs several key regulatory functions:
- Assess Applicants: Evaluates applicants against recognised education and competency standards.
- Certifies Qualifications: Validates the educational background of sonographers.
- Maintains a National Register: All accredited sonographers are listed on a definitive national registry.
- Sets Professional Standards: Establishes the standards for professional practice and ethical conduct.
- Requires Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Mandates that accredited sonographers complete ongoing professional education.
- Audits CPD Compliance: Regularly reviews CPD activities to ensure members maintain ongoing competence.
- Overviews Professional Conduct: Manages complaints and promotes safe, ethical practice within the profession.

Exercise Physiology (ESSA):
- Accredits university programs.
- Certifies Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs).
- Sets professional standards and requires ongoing CPD.
- Manages complaints processes.
Exercise Science (ESSA):
- Accredits exercise scientists.
- Sets professional standards and requires CPD.
- Promotes ethical practice.
Speech Pathology (Speech Pathology Australia):
- Operates the Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) program.
- Sets competency standards and requires ongoing CPD.
- Promotes ethical practice.
Audiology (Audiology Australia):
- Administers the Accredited Audiologist program.
- Sets professional standards and requires CPD.
- Oversees ethical practice.
Genetic Counselling (HGSA):
- The Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) certifies genetic counsellors.
- Sets competency standards and requires ongoing CPD.
- Promotes ethical practice.

Self-Regulated Professions (Profession-led):
- Managed by professional associations or accreditation bodies.
- Membership or certification is often voluntary, although it is frequently a prerequisite for employment.
- Standards are set by the profession itself.
- Complaints are managed directly by the association.
- Examples: Sonography, Exercise Physiology, Speech Pathology, Audiology, Exercise Science, and Genetic Counselling.
Statutorily Registered Professions (Government-led):
- Managed by Ahpra and National Boards.
- Registration is protected by law; practitioners must be registered to practice.
- Standards are set by National Boards under specific legislation.
- Mandatory CPD requirements apply.
- Complaints and professional conduct are managed by the National Board and Ahpra.
- Examples: Medical radiation practice, Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and Occupational Therapy.

Accreditation is the process through which healthcare organisations demonstrate the delivery of safe, high-quality care by meeting the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
The primary goal is to increase patient safety, workforce engagement, and the quality of clinical outcomes.
Mandatory and Voluntary Participation:
- Accreditation is mandatory for all Australian public and private hospitals, as well as day procedure services and public dental practices.
- Assessment occurs every $3\,\text{years}$ to confirm that robust care systems remain in place.

ACSQHC (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care): Responsible for developing the NSQHS Standards and overseeing the entire accreditation scheme.
Accrediting Agency: Independent bodies that perform the formal, on-site assessments of health services.
Health Service: Responsible for implementing the standards and providing evidence of compliance during the assessment journey.
Governments: Play a role in the oversight and policy framework of the accreditation scheme.

The ARIR is a national database that collects and analyses radiation incidents.
Its purpose is to identify trends and contributing factors in radiation-related events.
The data is used to share safety lessons and improve overall patient safety in environments involving radiation exposure.