ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the changes to self-regulation by the professions, the emergence of new regulatory bodies, and the debates surrounding the licensing, developing and disciplining of health professionals. The Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency have meta-regulatory powers under the legislation to ensure that lower level regulators govern satisfactorily. Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 existing accreditation bodies, such as the AMC and the Australian Pharmacy Council, will continue to make recommendations against agreed standards to the new national boards. Regulatory mechanisms that bear upon quality and safety are discussed in the following sections in relation to three functions: registering/licensing professionals, developing professionals, and disciplining professionals. The Australian national registration scheme from mid 2010 will apply a recertification model, whereby registered health practitioners are required to demonstrate that they have participated in a continuing professional development (CPD) programme approved by their national board.
