ACPSEM’s Progress Towards Inclusion in the NRAS
Update on ACPSEM’s Progress Towards Inclusion in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS)
The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) continues to work towards formal recognition of medical physicists, scientists, and engineers through inclusion in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). Over the past several years, the College has invested significant time, expertise, and member input into developing a comprehensive draft application that responds to the current criteria for entry.
As part of this ongoing work, ACPSEM engaged external consultancy support to assist with the initial development of the application, and has now undertaken a further review to understand the evolving regulatory landscape and the implications for our profession. This includes examining recent updates from the Australian Government, the Health Ministers Meeting (HMM), and the Health Workforce Taskforce (HWT).
A full summary of this work is available in the downloadable PDF.
Download the NRAS Update PDF
National Policy Context
In mid-2024, the Australian Government commissioned an Independent Review of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. The final report was completed in 2025 and recently released by the Australian Health Ministers. The report, along with the September 2025 HMM Communiqué, outlines the Government’s initial position on the NRAS Complexity Review and sets several key priority recommendations:
-
A directive for the HWT to review and revise the risk assessment method and the process for assessing professions seeking entry to the National Scheme by mid-2026.
-
A policy direction for Ahpra to strengthen accountability for accreditation functions.
-
Immediate steps for Ahpra to improve its complaints processes.
Health Ministers have also flagged additional upcoming advice on the remaining recommendations. Importantly, they have announced that audiology will be regulated under NRAS following completion of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and endorsement by Queensland and South Australian ministers.
These decisions will shape how new professions—such as ACPSEM’s membership—may be assessed for future inclusion.
Implications for ACPSEM
The current national review process has direct implications for ACPSEM’s draft application:
-
Government agencies are revising the risk assessment and entry criteria. These updates may require sections of ACPSEM’s draft application to be re-focused or rewritten once the new standards are released. At this stage, public consultation is not expected, as Government considers the NRAS Complexity Review to have fulfilled that requirement.
-
Some Health Ministers are not supportive of professions lodging Expressions of Interest for potential NRAS inclusion—a mechanism recommended in the Complexity Review. Future decisions about acceptable pathways for application will significantly affect how ACPSEM can proceed.
-
Audiology will be used to trial new processes. The outcome may influence the regulatory options available to Health Ministers, and could shape both the timing and the feasibility of future applications from ACPSEM.
-
The Complexity Review proposed an intermediate regulatory tier between full NRAS registration and self-regulation. Health Ministers may adopt this model for audiology, which would introduce additional potential pathways and considerations for ACPSEM.
Given these developments, ACPSEM’s current draft application cannot progress further until new national criteria and processes are released.
Suggested Next Steps for ACPSEM
Although the application process is temporarily paused, there are still meaningful actions the College can undertake to prepare for future opportunities and to continue addressing key issues raised by members.
ACPSEM will:
-
Maintain a watching brief on HWT activities, progress on audiology regulation, and decisions made by Health Ministers, ensuring the College is ready to provide input if an opportunity arises.
-
Re-examine the profession’s goals and challenges, identifying alternative strategies that may achieve similar outcomes to NRAS recognition without jeopardising a future application—for example, exploring options for partial title protection or strengthened professional standards frameworks.
-
Prioritise key issues based on their importance to the profession and the likelihood that progress can be made independently of NRAS reforms.
-
Commence work on feasible strategies that support the profession, improve public protection, and advance ACPSEM’s long-term goals while the national review process unfolds.
Staying Informed
ACPSEM remains committed to transparency and to keeping members informed throughout this process. As new policy developments emerge, and as the national assessment framework for new professions becomes clearer, the College will provide further updates and guidance.
For a detailed overview of the regulatory review and its implications for ACPSEM’s application, please refer to the full briefing document.
Download the NRAS Update PDF
