CPD: A foundation for safe, contemporary practice

The primary purpose of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is to protect the health and safety of the public and one of its key functions is to set professional standards. These standards, set by the National Boards for each of Australia’s registered health professions, cover important fundamentals, such as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The Paramedicine Board of Australia’s CPD Standard outlines minimum requirements for paramedics, including the need to complete minimum number of CPD hours per year that help you build on your existing knowledge and draw from the best available evidence. Interactive CPD activities are an important part of this mix.

CPD is much more than simply a requirement for registration – it is the foundation of safe, contemporary practice. It is how we maintain, strengthen and expand our knowledge, skills and professional judgement, and how we continue to grow throughout our careers as paramedics.

The communities we serve place significant trust in us. They rightly expect safe, contemporary care. As paramedics, we practise across diverse and evolving settings, each with its own demands. This means our CPD should be purposeful, relevant to our scope of practice, and directly connected to the realities of our practice context.

Owning our CPD is a professional responsibility. It involves actively reflecting on our practice, identifying areas for growth, and pursuing learning that will genuinely improve patient care and safety.

Meaningful CPD is not just about completing hours. It’s about making deliberate choices and a proactive plan that enhances our capability and confidence in providing health care. Our intentional investment in CPD supports safer, contemporary professional practice and better outcomes for our patients and communities.

The Paramedicine Council looks to the Board professional standards – in CPD and more broadly – when considering complaints about paramedics in NSW and what constitutes appropriate practice. 

We encourage all NSW paramedicine practitioners to make use of the extensive resources your National Board has developed to support you in meeting the CPD standard.

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