National Registration Accreditation Scheme Update

Over the past 3 months, the College has been continuing its program of work towards the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme submission (NRAS) which appoints professions to AHPRA. Our ultimate goal for national registration is to consistently define and formalise the role of medical physicists, with a focus on their role in patient care and safety through mandated training and CPD.

The CEO, President, and other key jurisdictional stakeholders have been deeply involved in the NRAS Engagement Strategy. This has seen the College meeting with every state and territory Chief Allied Health Officer, RANZCR, and the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council. The next round of meetings will include state health ministers, the Radiation Board of Ahpra, and the Consumer Health Forum.

Overall, the meetings have been well received, although APSEM has had to push through concerns regarding the current NRAS process being under independent government review. Over 2024-20205, a consultation is being undertaken of NRAS, resulting in a drafted future model for health care regulation. The review states it aims to look for complex or unnecessary processes within the NRAS. Its goal is to improve regulatory outcomes and keep Australians safe by providing high-quality health care.

The Board has decided to work alongside this consultation. The NRAS Independent Review is in its early stages, with its second paper for further consultation due in June 2025. Even if a new NRAS model were to be accepted, it is anticipated it would take several years to be developed, resourced and implemented. However, our current NRAS submission rests on the risks associated with there being no mandated or regulated minimum requirements for education and CPD and the impact this has on the current and future safety of the public is deemed too great to wait until the consultation is complete.

The College will continue to progress its pre-submission engagement activities with the aim to submit its application later in 2025. We look forward to keeping the membership up to date with progress.