COAG Health Council - Review of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professions

Australian Health Ministers have held a meeting as the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to consider the final report on the independent review of the NRAS and to publicly release the final report .

The Communique  released by the Health Ministers on the 7th August 2015 stated:

Health Ministers considered the recommendations arising from the NRAS review noting that the majority of amendments are designed to enable the National Scheme to fulfil the objectives as set out by Health Ministers at the time of its establishment. The response of Health Ministers to the recommendations have been categorised as:

1. Improving Consumer Responsiveness
2. Consolidation of National Boards
3. Accreditation Functions
4. Governance Arrangements
5. Entry into the National Scheme

In relation to Entry into the National Scheme , Health Ministers advised:

Health Ministers note that the NRAS Review has identified a lack of clarity with regard to the purpose and scope of the National Scheme and have agreed to issue a communique to clarify the intent of the National Scheme and process for unregistered professions to raise concerns regarding government policy, funding and programs where absence of registration is the sole factor for exclusions.

Of the 33 recommendations proposed:
- the health Ministers accept 9 recommendations
- accept in principle 11 recommendations
- do not accept 6 recommendations
- and defer decisions on 7 recommendations pending further advice

ANTA is meeting with AHPRA and the advisors to the Minister of Health to discuss the above and in particular, entry into the NRAS for Naturopathy, Western Herbal Medicine, Nutritional Medicine and Homeopathy.

Further information will be conveyed to members after our discussions.

www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2015-08-10-media-statement.aspx