Student registration for clinical training

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia.   AHPRA supports ten National Health Practitioner Boards who have the power to register students in approved courses.

Each health profession that is part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is represented by a National Board. The National Boards cover:

• chiropractors
• dental practitioners
• medical practitioners
• nurses and midwives
• occupational therapist
• optometrists
• osteopaths
• paramedics
• pharmacists
• physiotherapists
• podiatrists
• psychologists 

The primary role of the boards is to protect the public, and, among other functions, to register health practitioners and students. 

Yes, if any part of your course or topic requires you to complete clinical training where you will come in contact with the public.  You will be registered from the first year of your course, except in Psychology. 

Undergraduate Psychology students are not required to register with the Psychology Board of Australia. At Flinders, postgraduate Psychology students must apply for provisional registration at the beginning of either the Master of Psychology (Clinical) or the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology).

As a student you do not need to do anything in order to become registered with the relevant National Board.  The University is working with AHPRA to register students who are enrolled in an approved course. The register is confidential and your details will not be publicly available.

There may be a fee to be registered depending on your degree, you should check with AHPRA.

When you complete your studies or cease to be enrolled in a relevant course, the University is obliged to notify the National Board of this.

The Flinders University courses and topics that registration applies to are:

• Bachelor of Clinical Sciences / Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Medicine
• Bachelor of Midwifery (Post Registration)
• Bachelor of Midwifery (Pre-registration)
• Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry)
• Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration)
• Bachelor of Paramedicine
• Master of Occupational Therapy
• Master of Optometry
• Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
• Master of Physiotherapy
• MMED8399 Third Year Medicine (Auditing)
• MMED9101 Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• MMED9102 Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice

and provisional registration requirements apply to:

• Master of Psychology (Clinical)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)

If you are not enrolled in an approved course but are undertaking a clinical placement or training where you do not hold registration in that profession, Flinders University is required to notify the relevant National Board in order that you are registered as a student.

Section 130 of the Act requires you to notify the relevant National Board (via the local AHPRA office), in writing, within seven (7) days of the following events:

• being charged with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
• being convicted of or the subject of a finding of guilty for an offence punishable by imprisonment; or
• the suspension or cancellation of your registration under the law of another country that provides for the registration of students.

If you believe you have a mental or physical impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm when you are on clinical placement/training, please discuss your circumstances with your course coordinator.  You may also discuss your situation and gain support from one of the University's Disability Advisors, if you wish.

If you do not currently have an impairment but your health status changes in the future to the extent that you may place the public at substantial risk of harm when you are on clinical placement/training, you must discuss this with your course coordinator.

Under Section 143 of the Act , the University is obliged to notify AHPRA if it reasonably believes that you have an impairment that, in the course of undertaking clinical training as part of your program of study, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.  'Impairment' in this context is defined as a physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence) that detrimentally affects or is likely to detrimentally affect your capacity to undertake clinical training.

Where a health-related notification is received by AHPRA about you, you may be subject to a health assessment by the relevant National Board to ensure that appropriate action is taken, if required, to protect the public.

Under Section 145 of the Act , the University or any other entity may notify AHPRA if:

• you been charged with an offence, or have been convicted or found guilty of an offence, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more; or
• you have or may have an impairment; or
• you have or may have contravened a condition of your registration or an undertaking given by you to a National Board. 

Alternatively, where required, contact the Disability Advisors at Health, Counselling and Disability Services on 08 8201 2118

You will not receive a registration number, certificate of registration or any form of confirmation of student registration from AHPRA.  The student register is not a public record and Health services seeking proof of your registration will need to contact the University to verify if you are registered.

When you have graduated you may apply to AHPRA for registration as a practitioner in your profession.

Students are not required to provide a student registration number when applying for the TPPP.  Details on how to complete the mandatory 'Nursing Student Registration' section of the TPPP Application form without a Registration Number are provided on the SA Health site.

Contact:
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Level 8, 121 King William Street
Adelaide,  SA   5000

Phone: 1300 419 495 Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

Postal Address:
AHPRA, GPO Box 9958, Adelaide   SA  5001

or

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website